Spirit of Determination Showcased at Pathfinder Camporee
As the International Pathfinder Camporee moves into Day Three, stories of determination, sacrifice and God’s providence emerge from the over 11,000 Pathfinders who traveled to Jamaica, home to over 350,000 Adventists.
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Cover Photo: Karlene Gibbs proudly standing in between the tents at the international camporee site in Jamaica. This is her first time attending a camporee sponsored by the Inter-American Division. Image by CARU Media
As the International Pathfinder Camporee moves into Day Three, stories of determination, sacrifice and God’s providence emerge from the over 11,000 Pathfinders who traveled to Jamaica, home to over 350,000 Adventists.
In the months prior to the 2023 Pathfinder Camporee in Jamaica, Karlene Gibbs from Beaulieu, Grenada, bank account was compromised, and she lost all her savings. Suddenly, the youth leader’s plans to attend her first-ever camporee were in doubt. How would she raise the funds to attend the camporee?
Karlene Gibbs with two of her charges proudly standing in between the tents at the international camporee site in Jamaica. This is her first time attending a camporee sponsored by the Inter-American Division. Image by CARU Media
Karlene has been a Pathfinder all her life and, more recently, a lecturer at the TA Marryshow Community College and St. Georges University in Grenada. After graduating from university with a master’s degree, Karlene experienced difficulty finding a job. In her words, “During that time, after sending out many applications, attending interviews at major companies, and even receiving job offers, things didn’t work out due to my immigration status. I was depressed, discouraged and disappointed, especially after refusing interviews and potential job offers from companies that produced alcohol. I felt all alone. Forsaken. [But] in the midst of all of this, God reminded me that He still cared. He provided me with a place to stay without having to pay rent while I searched for a job. He gifted me with a vehicle. And eventually when I return[ed] to Grenada, He nurtured my soul and then blessed me with tremendous job opportunities which allowed me to minister to youth at work and at church,” she said.
Karlene Gibbs proudly standing in between the tents at the international camporee site in Jamaica. This is her first time attending a camporee sponsored by the Inter American Division. Image by CARU Media
But now the monies she had saved up were gone and the ticket to Jamaica cost about EC$3000. However, when Karlene prayed, God led all those who were owing her money to unexpectedly pay her.
“It’s the reason I am here,” she said. “And it is because of these experiences and personal challenges that I hold youth ministry very close to my heart. I can honestly say that remaining active in youth ministries is one of the reasons I am still in church today. And nothing is better than being at Pathfinders in Mission Camporee.”
Youth Director Pastor Bernard Lyons said that some families of Pathfinders have had to take out loans in order to participate. “But there is the courage to stand that you get here among the people that makes it exciting to be here,” he said.
Pastor Brent St. Jean, Youth director of the St. Vincent Mission and Pastor Richard Randolph Youth Director of the St. Lucia Mission. The team is still encountering many challenges while they are here in Jamaica but they are optimistic of what God is doing. Image by CARU media.
Pastor Brent St. Jean, Youth director of the St. Vincent Mission expressed a similar spirit of determination to get to Jamaica. He teamed up with his counterpart from the St. Lucia Mission Pastor Richard Randolph to charter a flight with 139 delegates to the camporee.
Three times the flight was cancelled. Then issues regarding the landing permit aroused disappointment and discouragement among the delegation who, like most clubs, engaged in numerous fundraising activities to be here in Jamaica. Finally, after many delays, the delegation landed in Jamaica at midnight.
The group missed the opening ceremony but “I believe I know all the diplomats in the region now,” Brent quipped. “God brought us here. The spirit of Gideon-determination is what this is all about,” he said.
The leader of the Haitian delegation said that each member of his contingent had to raise in excess of HTG170,060.77 (USD1,100) to get to the camporee; yet the registration numbers nearly 280 persons.
Members of the Haitian Pathfinders preparing for the cultural display during the opening ceremony of the IAD 5th Camporee. Image by CARU Media.
Delegations from Panama, Honduras, and Mexico did not make it to the camporee even though the shipping containers with their supplies did. For others, immigration delays had them sleeping on bare chairs in the stadium.
According to CARU Youth Director Marvin Smith, it has been a struggle for many across the territory to travel to Jamaica, but the resilience is amazing, and the stories are convincing.
“Youths are supported by self-sacrificing parents who are willing and determined to support their children. They are all soaking up the thrill of coming together from across the region. The spiritual messages and the just being part of the largest youth movement in the world makes it satisfying and thrilling for all to talk to others about the skills and ministry of being a Pathfinder,” he said.
To view Inter-America Division’s 5th Pathfinder Camporee, visit webcast.interamerica.org