Perspective by Terry Dodge

Perspective by Terry Dodge – President

AYM Museum participates in the 4^th Inter-American Division Pathfinder Camporee, April 11-15, 2017, in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic with 13,000 in attendance.  It was exciting for Maxine and me to be back in the Dominican Republic for this special camporee held East of the Columbus Lighthouse in the Mirador del Este Park.  As the Michigan Conference Pathfinder Director, before retirement, we spent 19 years directing the Michigan Pathfinder Teen Mission Impact program (medical, dental, and optical) trips to this beautiful country.

The Tuesday evening opening program was outstanding (as were all the other programs) with all the music, fireworks, drama and beautiful colors (flags, country banners and etc.) that only comes from those representing the 24 Unions in the many countries that make up the Inter-American Division.

The programs were translated in three languages (English, French, and Spanish) through electronic means.  Welcomes were given by the Pastor Israel Leito – IAD President along with several other church leaders from the division and Dominican Union, and mayor Alfredo Martinez of East Santa Domingo along with several other local leaders.

The nightly drama focus was on the Bible story of Ruth.  It was a beautiful and extremely well done presentation the Pathfinders appreciated, as the story of Ruth was unfolded.

The main speaker was Yamileth Bazan, Vice President of Student Affairs from La Sierra University, California.  The messages the Lord gave her were a special blessing to the Pathfinders, as she said, “You will not only find a wonderful story in the book of Ruth, but you will see the God of that story.”  Truly those who attended would go home changed from listening to those messages.

The AYM Museum display was located in one of the large buildings along with the pin trading event, the display of Biblical Archeology and the drum judging contest.

The Pathfinders were able to participate in a host of activities: pin trading (always an important part of camporee), Community Service projects, learning various honors, zip line along with other activities, drum judging contest, drill demonstration/judging, along with an exhibit area and many other activities.

There final division level Bible boom (as it is called in the Inter-American Division) was on the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth with 24 teams (three members each) on Sabbath during the final event. It is always a joy to see the Pathfinders who take part in this program as they will never be the same after studying the Bible.

Even though the Friday evening program was cut short due to a heavy rain storm and the PA system was disrupted, Sabbath turned out to be a beautiful day with the evening program being very special with an Investiture of Pathfinders and Master Guides, Bible Boom award presentation, the closing appeal message by Yamileth Bazan, the final drama on the life of Ruth, along with several other special features which included flags and fireworks, the program was over even though the celebration continued for some time.

We want to thank Louise Nocandy, associate youth ministries director for the Inter-American Division and main organizer for the Pathfinder Camporee for an outstanding camporee that was a blessing to all who attended.