YW are S.T.R.O.N.G. in Christ

Young Women (YW) and leaders from the Tokyo South Stake enjoyed a summer camp filled with fun, friends, nature, and miracles. When planning the camp, Youth Camp Leaders (YCLs) considered the question, "What does Heavenly Father want to have happen in the lives of the young women as a result of this camp?" The theme: 

Steadfast

     Trusting

          Repentant

               Obedient

                    Nurturing

                         Growing 

                              in Christ set the stage for the YW to grow spiritually through their camp activities. A testimony meeting was held on the last night of camp. Sister Melanie Jarvis, the Stake Young Women President, shared,  "... many YW testified of the love and belonging they felt that week, surrounded by friends, nature, and the Holy Spirit."

The YCLs planned crafts, daily devotionals, hikes, kayaking, skits, games, and other fun activities. The spiritual highlight was the Faith Walk. Jane Williams, a YCL from Iwakuni said, "We wanted the young women to have a night that would remind them of their individual worth and of God's love for them. The YCLs prepared a night walk, lit by lanterns, with quotes about their eternal worth and divine nature, ending with personal letters to each girl, from her parents. Becca Brough, from Yokota, shared, "I grew spiritually in camp through the amazing faith walk, which helped me feel God's love for me, stronger than ever."

Stake Camp Director, Sister Madison Stewart, said that the event was "a camp of miracles," from the planning process, through to the end. She saw the Lord's hand in every detail of camp. One example was that, in spite of a rainy weather forecast all week, each day the rain cleared right when they needed it to. This was a great miracle, as most activities were planned outdoors.

One YCL, Sara Brough, was happy to see how excited everyone was to participate in the activities they had planned. Serving as a YCL helped her to grow in her social pillar. She said, "I reached out to almost everyone there, and I made great friends, who are wonderful people."

Summing up her camp experience in the closing night testimony meeting, Charlotte Bell, from Yokosuka said, "I met great people and made wonderful memories. I gained a stronger testimony and grew closer to the Lord." When her leaders asked what she felt the Lord wanted to have happen in her life as a result of attending YW Camp, she answered, "He wants me to follow Him; to be like Him, and to never forget Him - His sacrifice, which made it possible to live here on the Earth."