Christian children at some of the nation’s top institutions say they are increasingly coming under pressure to consume molly, weed and liquor, but they continue to remain firm in their walk with God.
Educator Marvin Moulton noted that for some children, school has become a battleground. It was therefore a welcome treat for a group of 22 children who spent four days at a youth camp organised by members of the Kencot Christian Fellowship during the Easter break. The camp was being held for the second year at McKenzie Hope, a seven-acre farm in Calderwood, St. Ann.
“It is away from the hustle and bustle of city life and away from the normal life that they know,” said Moulton, a guidance counsellor and seasoned camper.
“Last year we did the three days and the campers complained that they wanted another day, and so we added another day this year. When we were packing up to leave the Thursday, a camper was rather disappointed because he thought, we wouldn’t be leaving until the Friday,” he said.
The group was comprised of 10 boys and 12 girls, who were supervised by five adults from the church. They hiked, visited a senior citizen in the community, took part in sporting activities, did Bible Study and had group discussions. The children planted gungo last year, however, they were asked to plant apple seeds this year in keeping with the lesson they were being taught about growing as a Christian. They are expected to nurture these seeds and watch them grow.
Since some of the students had classes and school projects, they were allowed to use their electronic devices, but this access was scheduled. They could not use their phones during meals, devotions or during group sessions. Moulton said getting away from city life and being able to interact with nature had a very relaxing effect on the children.
“They got along really well, better than we even expected. The engagement and participation was really good. I could tell that there was a real hunger and thirst for what we were trying to do with them, and what we were trying to teach them,” he said.
The educator was especially pleased that one of the girls recommitted her life to God and two of the boys accepted Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour. They all said the confession of faith and the girl, who is a friend of a member of the church, has started attending church.
Moulton looks forward to the experience to mentor the children. He finds himself having to reinforce positive values and attitudes while interacting with students in the classroom.
“Apart from just a moral decay in Jamaica right now, I can tell you that we are having a massive problem where parenting is concerned,” he noted.
He lauds any effort to discuss a God centred life with children and other topics such as purity, moral values, norms and attitudes.
“During the camp, we showed them and taught them that selfishness and self-centredness really hurts us,” he said.