CAMP MTUME PAULO:
Nurturing Faith and Purpose
In today’s world, children face many challenges—social, emotional, and spiritual. Because of this, safe spaces that help children grow in faith, character, and purpose are more important than ever. Camp Mtume Paulo was one such special space.
The camp was a Christian camp held in SangaSanga, Morogoro, and it brought together children, leaders, and partners with one shared goal: to help children understand the Gospel and encourage them to share God’s love with others.
A Camp Built on Faith
Faith learned in childhood helps shape values and direction for life. With this in mind, Camp Mtume Paulo was organized to help children grow closer to God while learning simple and practical ways to share the Gospel.
Children from Agape Children’s Village in Kihonda, Kilimanjaro, along with children from other parts of Tanzania, took part in this meaningful experience. The camp focused on spiritual growth, learning, and fellowship.
Agape Children’s Village Participation
Agape Children’s Village is known for caring for children in a holistic way—emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Their participation in Camp Mtume Paulo gave the children a chance to step out of their daily routine and focus fully on faith, learning, and fellowship.
The children were well supported and guided throughout the camp, helping them feel safe, confident, and encouraged.
A Peaceful Environment in SangaSanga
Although many children came from Kilimanjaro and other regions, the camp itself was held in SangaSanga, Morogoro. The calm and natural environment created a peaceful space for prayer, learning, and reflection.
Being away from their usual surroundings helped the children stay focused, curious, and engaged in all camp activities.
Leadership and Guidance
Camp Mtume Paulo was led by Hanna Rita Schmiedecke, whose leadership played a key role in guiding the camp’s vision and activities. She provided spiritual direction with love, patience, and encouragement.
Under her leadership, the children felt free to ask questions, share their thoughts, and grow in faith in a safe and caring environment.
Why “Mtume Paulo”?
The camp was named after Mtume Paulo (Apostle Paul), who is known for his courage and dedication in sharing the Gospel. Through his story, children learned that sharing God’s Word is not only for adults.
They were encouraged to see themselves as young messengers of God’s love—in their homes, schools, and communities.
Learning to Share the Gospel
A main focus of the camp was teaching children how to share the Gospel in simple and loving ways. They learned:
- The basic message of the Gospel
- Why sharing God’s Word is important
- How to talk about faith with love and respect
- How good actions can speak louder than words
The camp emphasized that living a Christ-like life—showing kindness, honesty, forgiveness, and compassion—is also a powerful way of sharing faith.
Learning Through Participation
The children learned through interactive activities such as Bible stories, group discussions, songs, role-playing, and memorizing scripture. These methods made learning fun, memorable, and practical.
In small groups, children practiced sharing Gospel messages with one another, helping them gain confidence and overcome shyness.
Fellowship and Unity
Camp Mtume Paulo also focused on unity and fellowship. Children from different backgrounds lived, learned, and played together. Through group activities, shared meals, and teamwork, they built friendships and learned respect and cooperation.
This helped them understand the importance of community in Christian life.
Lasting Impact
After the camp, the children returned home with:
- Stronger faith
- Better understanding of the Gospel
- Greater confidence
- Improved communication skills
- Strong moral and spiritual values
Many children shared their excitement about telling others what they learned. They realized that age does not limit their ability to make a positive difference.
Long-Term Value
The lessons from Camp Mtume Paulo will continue to guide the children as they grow. The values of faith, love, courage, and responsibility will shape their choices and actions in the future.
By investing in children, the camp also invested in the future of the Church and the wider community.
Conclusion
Camp Mtume Paulo, held in SangaSanga, Morogoro, was a meaningful and life-changing experience for all who participated, including children from Agape Children’s Village in Kihonda, Kilimanjaro. Led by Hanna Rita Schmiedecke, the camp successfully helped children grow closer to God and learn how to share the Gospel.
More than just a camp, it was a journey of faith, learning, and spiritual growth—preparing children to be young ambassadors of hope, love, and faith wherever they go.
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