nitially wary residents of Santa Helena, Paraná, Brazil, soon gave high marks to the more than 20,000 Pathfinders from throughout South America who descended on their city for the South American Division (SAD) Camporee held January 11-16, which nearly doubled the city's population. One Pathfinder from Belém in the Amazon cycled 3,600 kilometers (2,237 miles) to attend the event.

The third Pathfinder camporee to be held in South America, and believed to be the largest event of its kind ever held in South America as well as the largest gathering of Pathfinders outside of North America, caught the attention of Brazil's media. The event was broadcast on national and local television stations and made headlines in local and state newspapers. Residents interviewed by local news media said that the behavior of the Pathfinders was exemplary.

"The local residents of Santa Helena were astonished at the model behavior of the Pathfinders," says General Conference youth director Baraka Muganda, who attended the Camporee. "One local city leader told me, 'When other groups of kids meet in our city, they leave it dirty-cigarettes and beer bottles are left everywhere. But with your group, which is so large-20,000 kids-it's been very different. We can't understand it. The police haven't had to get involved at all.'

"The campground was kept clean, and the Pathfinders were disciplined and attentive," adds Muganda. "None got into trouble with the law. This was mind blowing to the local residents."

Brazillian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the event as an opportunity "for the exchange of experiences, the exercising of abilities, and for the acquisition of greater knowledge about Brazil, both on the part of the Brazillians and the visitors from other countries."

"What is considered a sacrifice for many people is just another challenge for the Pathfinders-juniors and adolescents from 10 to 15 years old who learn very early to value nature, knowledge, and solidarity," said Paraná governor Roberto Requião, who attended the camporee. Others in attendance included Robert Holbrook, associate director of the GC Youth Department; Bernardo Rodriguez, youth director of the Inter-American Division; and Ron Whitehead, director of the Center for Youth Evangelism at Andrews University. The event was organized by South American Division youth director Erton Köhler, with assistance from conference and church youth directors, pastors, Pathfinder leaders, and other volunteers.

Along with fellowship and attending meetings, the camporee provided an opportunity for Pathfinders to display their skills and creativity. A club from São Paulo built an "elevator" made of wood and rope that was about 123 meters (135 yards) high and was used by youth for rappelling. Pathfinders from the South Brazil Union constructed an elevated camp-a structure comprising three levels with uniquely constructed tents. "These tents don't have any humidity, and at night they are cooler than normal tents," explained one Pathfinder.

Modern technology was also in evidence. A large hall housing dozens of computers provided e-mail and Internet access for the youth. A radio station, a supermarket, and many other displays also dotted the facility.

One particularly innovative design was the speakers' platform constructed for the meetings. It was built to float on top of the water in an artificial lake.

"Just plain fun" was also a big part of the camporee. Many youth had the opportunity to do some sightseeing in Iguaçu Falls, Paraguay, and at Itaipu Dam. Others went swimming, did a little spelunking in nearby caves, and participated in oratorical and music contests.

The spiritual emphasis, however, was the priority of the camporee. Each evening a baptism was held, culminating on the last evening of the event when more than 200 Pathfinders committed their lives to Jesus and were baptized.

"I was personally touched by the way so many thousands of Pathfinders carried themselves when they came to the worship area," says Muganda. "As I preached, I noticed that all the Pathfinders were silent, listening to the Word of God." Muganda added that the main focus of Adventist youth ministry, which was emphasized through every activity during the camporee, is salvation, service, and teaching youth to develop a closer personal relationship with the Lord through Bible study.

Survivor in Palau

BY KEN NORTON, senior pastor of the Koror Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Palau

must admit that I have never been much of a fan of the television program Survivor. Maybe it has something to do with eating bugs and other such things while clamoring to survive at the expense of others. That has never been a very appealing form of entertainment for me. I admit, though, that the show is brilliantly designed. And because of its popularity, it obviously has all the ingredients necessary to keep a loyal audience. While discussions about the latest Survivor contestant being voted off go on around me, I never take much interest, often bothered that the unreal world of TV entertainment has again penetrated the real time of real life. It was unthinkable that I could ever become a fan of the Survivor show.

Well, the unthinkable has happened . . . sort of.

Survivor: Palau began airing on TV in the United States on February 17. For months Palau had been crowded with production and filming crews as the contest raged "somewhere" in the Rock Islands. An entire area of the Rock Islands was cordoned off, and the public was warned to keep its distance. I'm sure this was done to let the Survivor contestants eat their bugs in peace and concentrate on not being very kind to one another. The whole filming and production process has been highly secretive, which only makes sense. It would kind of ruin the entire new season if the news slipped out about who survived until the end.

Then recently the word came out that the contest was over and all the support and production crews were packing up to head to the next filming area. Not long after, I got a call from Sherwin Nubuo, pastor of the Airai, Palau, Adventist Church. He excitedly informed me that he had just received a call from a former student of Palau Mission Academy who had been working with one of the Survivor production crews. It seemed that the crew had a few tables they didn't need for the next filming, and they wanted to donate them to our church-if we had a need for them.

"Of course," I said. "We'll take whatever they have." I am still in shock with what happened next.

About an hour later the trucks started rolling in. Truckload after truckload of huge, heavy, solid wooden tables and shelving units were unloaded next to the church. Just when I thought they were finished, another truck would round the corner, loaded with more hand-built tables and shelves put together with brand new lumber. And they were all screwed together so they could be easily taken apart. After all was said and done, we counted more than 30 large table and shelving units. What an incredible blessing! But I didn't know the half of it.

About six months ago, before I arrived in Palau, the Koror church had voted to turn the basement area of the church into a youth room. I recently found out that the youth had been slowly trying to raise money in order to buy lumber and supplies to build a stage for their new room. The donation from the Survivor production crew was an amazing answer to prayer. It has made the dream of an all-purpose youth room in Palau become a reality, complete with a stage on one end and a café-style eating area on the other. God once again came through for His children in a way that still has me shaking my head.

So, people ask me if I am a Survivor fan now. I guess I am, sort of. I don't think I will ever become a Survivor junkie or miss board meetings in order to watch it. But I am a fan of one thing. I applaud anyone, whoever they are, who from a big heart supports the church, especially when it helps the youth. No pun intended, but may their tribe increase, and may God continue to work His wonders here in the mission field.

New African University Breaks Ground in Rwanda
Adventist Church officials, educators, and government representatives recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) campus in Kigali, Rwanda.

"Education is not just one of the many services a church can offer to society," said East-Central Africa Division (ECD) president Geoffrey Mbwana in his speech given during the ceremony, "but an essential part of our mission."

AUCA was established in 1978 when the church developed a campus in Mudende, near the border of Congo and Rwanda. This campus was destroyed, however, during the 1994 civil war and genocide. Rwandan government officials purchased the campus and a remaining building, and ECD is using this money to construct the new campus on 50 acres near the Kigali International Airport. Since 1996 the school has been operating in a small temporary facility.

The master plan for the first phase of the project includes a building that will house 14 classrooms, a library, an administration building, and a multi-purpose facility. Second and third phases include plans for dormitories, a cafeteria, married students' quarters, a sports facility, and staff housing.

Bachelor of arts programs are currently being offered for the almost 700 students enrolled at AUCA. After the new campus has been constructed, master degree programs will also be available. The projected enrollment after construction is 1,000 to 1,200 students.

More than 2 million Adventists worship in almost 8,500 churches in the East-Central Africa Division.-East-Central Africa Division Communication Department/AR.

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