For this year's camp, the Nairobi campus ministry returned to the Naivasha YMCA, situated on the floor of the Rift Valley, nestled peacefully between Lake Naivasha on one side and flower farms on another. The scene of last year's camp, it proved a splendid venue for this year's fellowship-fest - refreshing chill in the morning, energizing warm sunshine in the day, and invigorating cold in the evening. The combination of fresh air, wide-open spaces and the calming shade of acacia trees was ideal atmosphere for both team-building activities and individual prayer walks and meditation.

The theme for the camp was "The Lion Never Sleeps," and Jarrett Odwallo, leader of Nairobi's youth ministry, and Robert Olweny opened up with a message under the same title. Robert has just finished his bachelor's degree course at the University of Nairobi.

Jarrett and Robert helped the participants to understand the reality of how active Satan is in working to get us to fall spiritually, and how we must be alert at all times and in all circumstances, even the seemingly harmless ones, because in his efforts to get us to sin, the lion never sleeps.

Nellie Macharia shares that, "The message by Jarrett and Robert woke me up to the reality that Satan never sleeps, and if I keep him from getting me one day, I'll still have to be equally alert the next." Christine Munune says, "I learnt that I need to be alert all the time and always watch out because Satan comes in forms that I think are innocent and yet are not."

Evangelist Steve Mukenya and his wife Carol came in from Nairobi and spoke on the topic "Resist The Devil," addressing the men and women separately and challenging and encouraging the students to stand above peer pressure and stand for purity and purposefulness.

Sharing what he learnt from the class, Jacob Owino says, "I need to make friends who will steer me to accomplishing what God wants me to achieve, and also ask for help in any area where I need it, rather than hide in my own cocoon."

Neema says of the lesson, "It encouraged me to be alert because the devil is very tricky and organized."

There were team-building events, which were tremendously exciting and bonding, and also served to teach lessons for life. In one exercise, an individual stands on the edge of a ledge with his back to a group lined up to be able to catch him as he falls backwards. Rose Bartoo shares that through this, "I learn that we need to trust one another, believing that others will faithfully be there to catch us."

Other exercises included getting support from others in order to get through a tyre suspended between two trees, and relying on others on the other side to provide a safe and secure landing. This was followed by a high wooden wall that each participant had to scale, which was only possible with the aid of those at the top of the wall. "Through the exercises I drew closer to others. The team work was bonding," shares Edwin Mahiga. "It was sacrificial of the brothers to support us by letting us step on them in order to make it over the different obstacles," says Neema.

As if that was not energizing enough, the group proceeded to the Lake Naivasha national park for rock climbing, many having to overcome phobia of height and falling in order to complete the exercise, spurred on by vociferous encouragement from those watching below, thus also serving as examples to others who might still have been holding back in fear.

That evening there was a grand barbeque, followed by presentations. Not even the rain, which doused the bonfire around which the campers were assembled and sent all scurrying for shelter, could dampen the spirit among the disciples, who moved indoors to present skits tat illustrated Satan's schemes - and how to overcome them.

The Sunday communion message was presented by Jervis Akona of Egerton University, following which the morning's sermon was presented by Rayola Osanya-Nyynéque, leader of the Kenyatta University (KU) ministry, and Edwine Omaya, who is in his final semester at KU, studying geography and sociology. Entitled "We Are Brothers And Sisters Everywhere," the message called all to Loyalty, Inititiative and Oneness in their relationships with others, which brings about Newness, the combination of the first letters of those four points spelling the word "lion."

While there is one lion who never sleeps, Rayola pointed out, Revelation 5:5 speaks of another, who doesn't sleep either, the Lion on the tribe of Judah, in whom is the victory. Edwine shared from his life about how the unity in the campus ministry played a great role in inspiring him to become a disciple in his freshman year.

Fred Onyango says, "I was soothed to know that there is there is another who never sleeps - the Lion of Judah."

Packed lunch and a visit to a crater lake and to Lake Naivasha brought the memorable and inspiring weekend to its conclusion.

The camp meant so much to all and many lessons were learned. Several students shared how they made new friends through sharing the dorms and getting to pray, chat and act out skits together. Kariuki Gathitu says that he learned that "friendship is important if you want to escape the lion (devil). You must be in the right company - with people who will help you to make it."

The lion never sleeps, and neither will we, in resisting the devil, serving God wholeheartedly, and walking and working hand-in-hand with one another.