I returned from the Royal Ranger Summit in Stanford yesterday. The ten days were jam-packed and included the NRMC (National Ranger Ministry Camp) leadership training, the actual NRMC camp and then the Africa Summit which included the National Directors from South Africa, Malawi, Ghana and Eswatini. I attended as an unofficial representative for Madagascar.
The event was hosted by Tammy and Gerhard Uys (National Director) from South Africa and what a marvellous job they did! I commend them for their planning, the construction of the campsite and the general management of daily events. The RRI team from America, presented the training, the actual NRMC camp and directed the summit. I was blessed to meet the new RRI director Jeremiah Hembree and his wife Heather as well as Gio and Evy, originally from Puerto Rico, who were part of the training team. I learned so much and most of all, made new friends.
I will still write in detail about the NRMC camp, because as you all know that was my concern as I am not what you would consider a ‘master camper’. Thank you for your prayer in this regard, because I survived and I am able to tell you about it without feeling distressed or traumatised. 😉😄
Our patrol consisted of three young men from Ghana and two German members. Heather and Esther were our patrol advisors and we could turn to them for advice. The schedule was quite hectic and it was also really cold. No, I am not exaggerating as someone coming from the tropics. One of the Russian delegates who comes from Siberia, agreed. You might ask how did a team of Russians end up in Africa? I am not quite sure, but they called themselves ‘The Big 10’ and blessed us with their love for children and their vigour for sharing the Gospel.
I felt privileged to accept the gold medal which our patrol achieved at the end of the camp. The patrol leader also put the other two medals around my neck and as I have never won a medal in my life, it was a special moment. I suppose I did resemble a rapper with all of it around my neck…
We named our patrol the Dancing Lemurs
Madagascar has an interim president and please pray with us that as the country will prepare for elections at some point in time, that there will be real change. Please keep Dries in your prayers. It seems as if the cyclone season will start earlier this year with the passage of severe tropical storm Chenge to the far north of the island. With the cyclone season, comes the intense heat and humidity. So, I should enjoy the cool weather in the Cape while I can.
May you have a blessed week.
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