The Camp with Ripening (Maturing) Hope
Kenya Opening Ceremony and Festival
The heat and humidity of Ghana and Togo changed to cool and refreshing as we crossed over to Nairobi, Kenya and the African Winter. In the dry season in Kenya, the reservoirs show their floors, and the electricity and the water was never cut off. The anticipation and the hope towards the start of the camp shook off all of the problems and pushed everyone towards joy. The mornings start with Kenya tea, Mandazi, and mumbling, but the amazing world that will appear through the camp became suddenly clearer.
On August 18 at the Moi Sports Center Indoor Gymnasium in Nairobi, Kenya, we held the opening ceremony for the ‘2009 IYF World Camp in Kenya,’ and the next day, on August 19 at the IYF Kenya Center, we successfully held the ‘2009 World Youth Festival.’
The Opening Ceremony: the Kenyan Government and IYF are growing closer.
Korean Masters came to teach the Kenyan natives Taekwondo forms, and the shapes of their feet when they kick appeared accurately. The Lincoln House School students’ Fan Dance and other dances made the audience swoon with delight. The music by Gracias Choir was the summit of our joy. Jambo, Malaika, instrumentals, vocals, and through their motions they demonstrated their flexibility. In a moment, they melt the borders between Korea and Kenya on the “Ship of Change” that is the IYF World Camp, and they brought everyone inside.
President of IYF Ki Kwon Doh, Senator Jae Kyung Kim, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Wavinya Ndeti gave a congratulatory address, and Pastor Ock Soo Park delivered the message for the opening ceremony about change and hope. A septic tank is designed to let bacteria eat all human wastes and purify water. In the same way, when filthy human beings meet Jesus, Jesus does not become dirty. Instead, the people become clean. God is changing Africa and will get rid of AIDS. God’s servants from Africa will be used to cover the entire world with the gospel.
On August 19, Vice-President Musyoka visited the Kenya IYF Center and welcomed the IYF World Camp in Kenya. We fell deeply into the prepared cultural performances and the music of Gracias Choir, and we listened carefully to the message delivered by Pastor Ock Soo Park. Vice-President Musyoka thanked IYF and Pastor Park for planting hope into the hearts of the Kenyan youths. He also took a look around the GBS broadcasting station that is currently being prepared.
“I feel truly thankful to be able to take part in this splendid camp with the IYF and the participants. Since the youth make up 65% of the entire population, Kenya is a country with much hope. People, such as Bill Gates, Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy, all did great thinks at a young age. Since all of you are young, I believe you can all make your own chances. Just as Korean people have come to Kenya, in the future we (Kenyans) will go overseas. I truly want to welcome you here.” (Vice-President Musyoka)
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Minister of Education, Sam Ongeri, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Wavinya Ndeti, and other high-ranking officials of the Kenyan government attended and congratulated the IYF World Camp. All of them amazingly spoke similar sentiments of hope in such an event that unifies the youth of Korea and Kenya. In addition, they expressed deep thanks because the Kenyan youth can take hope through such a wonderful cultural event and programs prepared for them.
Kenya’s Minister of Education, Sam Ongeri and Deputy Minister, Karega Mutagi both attended the IYF World Camp in Kenya and gave lectures for the youth. They expressed and explained how the youth have an important position in their country, and they also emphasized the chance to raise leadership through positive participation. Addressing the problems the youth face, they expressed that there must be fellowship and agreement among many countries as well as the need to provide everyone equal chances. After their lectures, they visited GBS and looked around the studios, and they also listened to a program briefing and gave interviews.
The Chairman of the IYF World Camp, Pastor Ock Soo Park, said, “The Kenyan government has been supportive of our event, and we have now learned of how deeply they care about the education of the youth,” and answered with awe at the level of cooperation and support displayed by the Kenyan government. The over 2000 university students and pastors from Mahanaim college cheered.
A new page is being written in the history of East Africa through a large, invisible strength
About 18 years ago, Pastor Kitonga used the Kenyan Religious Registration laws to attempt to ask for money obstinately. Through faith in God only, Pastor Ock Soo Park denied the demands and said that Kenya would change through the Word of God. As a result, Pastor Kitonga tried to deport the missionaries from the Good News Mission by reporting them to the police. Instead, God provided a miracle and allowed for Religious Registration. Now, Nairobi Kenya has become mission center for Africa, and again, we have had the chance to feel the power of God working here.
We can see the large IYF Center building, as well as the pending opening of the GBS digital broadcasting station. Every year, over 500 graduate from Mahanaim College, and over 2000 people participate in the world camp. We can see that all of these results have the Word of God, and the faith to believe in that Word, behind them. Even greater works are already within the Word and the faith. Although there are many we cannot see those works, the servant of God clearly sees them in God’s heart already.
Elephants, lions, tigers, giraffes, and many other animals entered into Noah’s ark in pairs, male and female without any of their own ideas or power but through the unseen work of God. The senators from Korea, Ministers of Kenya, and the Vice President all seem to have attended the world camp through their own decisions on the surface, but on the other hand, it is a manifestation of the Word of God and His will. At the right time, even greater works will appear before our eyes. More important however, we must know that a great hidden power, which is the Word of God, exists behind it all.
The Assistant Minister of Public Health, who expressed sincere thanks for their efforts, joined the Medical Volunteer Team that is taking part in the camp. Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Ndeti heard the gospel, received salvation and completely opened her heart. Vice-President Musyoka showed he cares, and after attending the camp, he promised to work with the IYF. As the Kenyan government officials opened their hearts, they grew closer to IYF and we could see examples through the hopeful exchanges growing during the camp.
In Kenya, and East Africa as well, we cannot imagine what kind of works the gospel will develop. We will rely on the script-xure in Mark 11:24, “…What soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that we receive them, and ye shall have them,” and run only for the gospel. God is opening a new path before the soldiers of the gospel to follow.
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