The extensive, serene grounds of YMCA Naivasha, by the shores of Lake Naivasha, on the floor of the great Rift Valley, was the setting for the first ever retreat of the Nairobi church's campus ministry in early January. The theme for the retreat was "Chariots Of Fire." The fires of fun and fellowship were certainly burning, and the three days proved to be an ideal way for the students to kick off the new year.

Jarrett Odwallo, leader of the youth ministry, opened the retreat with a class entitled "The Burning Bush," in which he challenged all to respond to God as He uses different "burning bushes" in our lives to get our attention and to call us to his mission. Two couples came in from Nairobi to preach. John and Jane Maleya met with the men and women separately and, in a class entitled "Refined By Fire," helped disciple hearts with regard to sin and confession. This was followed by small-group discussions where individuals were able to get input about various sins and weaknesses that have held them back. George and Anne Irungu also preached separately to the men and women. They shared about the need to have personal goals and ambition in 2004 and the key to making them last throughout the year. It was very inspiring and provided the practicals to help the students put into practice the other lessons they heard at the camp. The final class, by Rayola Osanya, about heroic evangelism on our campuses, was entitled "Fire Shut Up In My Bones."

Many of the 56 participants, who came from four different East African congregations, expressed that the camp was an unprecedented opportunity to build new friendships and to absorb the various sermons. Speaking at the camp, Berine said, "Being out here has been different. We have no responsibilities to distract us. We knew that we came out here to change our lives. It makes it easier to learn and to act on what we have learned." Perez shares, "I learned that I shouldn't joke with sin, and spiritually I have climbed one ladder higher. Some of the burdens that were eating me up have been cut out."

Talking of his personal decisions following the camp, Jervis says, "I resolved to be radical in all areas of my life." Liz, who is the only member of the church on her campus says, "I've gotten familiar with Scripture and not let it cut me, so I have decided to change that. I've also decided to start having Bible talks on campus on my own and hold them at varying times to capture different sets of students."

One of the highlights of the camp was a bonfire around which the different teams into which the participants had been grouped performed presentations. They were original artistic, musical and dramatic presentations in which different aspects of the camp were represented with much humour and creativity. It was a time of much laughing and learning.

The general feeling at the end of the camp was one of regret that it was over. "It's been a little heaven on earth," says Perez, and Richard adds, "I wish I could stay here for weeks." But many were leaving the camp, in their words, "a changed person," "transformed," "refreshed" and "renewed." The Chariots are on the move and the Fire is burning within the campus disciples in East Africa. As we allow God to get our attention through burning bushes in our lives, allow ourselves to be refined by fire and set personal goals for ourselves individually, God's word will be to us a fire that we will not hold in, and great things will happen on campuses throughout East Africa.