watoto camp 2010
August was an incredibly full month in the life of Sydney Berry [soon to be Sydney Berry Ling - woo!] Here are some highlights and stories I’d like to share with you all from my volunteer trip with Pine Cove to Uganda. We went to help prepare for Watoto Camp 2010. It was my first time back since leaving in June 2009 and it felt as though I had never left. Here’s what we got up to on the trip!
First off, I have to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who gave towards my trip. The trip was absolutely amazing. Words really don’t do it justice, so I’ll be including quite a few photos in this post. You can also read a more detailed account of the trip by visiting the Pine Cove Missions Blog HERE.
I joined with 2 families [the Bice family and the Anderson family] as well as a former Pine Cove staff member, Kyndell. All members of the team had some experience with Christian camping, whether at Pine Cove or Kanakuk Camps. We had a great mix and I loved getting to know everyone on the team.
After arriving and getting settled in at the guesthouse, we had an orientation meeting to meet the Watoto Camp leadership and a few other Watoto team leaders. It was an excellent time of learning and hearing about the preparation and purpose of Watoto Camp. Watoto Camp happens once a year, typically in August, for one week and allows Watoto children [former orphans] between the ages of 8-14 to get outside of their normal environment for a time of fun and spiritual nourishment. The week involves times of praise and worship, object lessons, indoor and outdoor games, crafts, and other fun activities for the kids.
We didn’t have much time to do everything we had set out to do, but everyone had a great attitude and we worked together as a team. For me, I learned so much about myself and how to let go of how I want things to be and realize that everyone has great things to offer to the group. I was so impressed with everyone on the team, particularly the kids! They worked as hard, if not harder, than the adults!
Samantha & Alex — They did a great job with the bracelets!
Me & Manuela — Manuela was the art director for camp and she was incredible! She worked so hard… I was definitely challenged and encouraged by her throughout the week.
Our goal was to prepare the decorations for Watoto Camp [with the help of volunteers and camp facilitators] as well as prepare and teach the facilitators the crafts they would do with the kids for the week. There were many logistics to be sorted. While shopping for supplies and the actual implementation was a bit crazy, everything worked out great in the end.
I had the tremendous blessing of getting to visit with the young lady at Watoto that I sponsor, Saphina. We didn’t get much time to spend together, but I was able to give her a hug, encourage her, and give her a small gift with a letter. I am always so thankful to be part of her life and that she is part of mine. We are forever linked and I know that God has great plans for her future.
I also got to visit my little buddy, Moses, at the new babies’ home in Suubi village. He always has a big smile on his face and he is talking up a storm now! He is precious. 
Here is Stephanie with Maria and another Watoto Camp volunteer with one of the paper maché ants that we made. Black with pink polka dots… We definitely were getting creative. Check out the one in the back in her blue polka dot dress talking on her cell phone! The theme for Watoto Camp this year was ‘Watoto Ant Kingdom’ with the main message being on service.
I stayed a week longer than the rest of the team and had the chance to see all of the decorations implemented at camp. Here are a few shots of Watoto Camp in action!
There are some other highlights from my time in Uganda, but I will save that for another post. Until then… God bless! Remember that today is a gift and you aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Make the most of today.
With love,
Sydney
This is amazing Sydney, thank you. I blessed by it all. I miss having you guys around. God Richly bless you.