The 2019 Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) pathfinder camporee is now underway at the new Betikama camp site in East Honiara.
The official ceremony was described as a blessing because of the cloudy and cool weather in the opening.
The camporee was declared open by the guest on honor Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The two hour colourful opening ceremony featured the arrival of official guests on the camp ground via a helicopter which excited all the pathfinders, flag raising of all the participating countries nation’s flags, the camporee flag and Solomon Islands flag, launching of the world changers Bible, chupu ceremony hosted by the Guadalcanal SDA church members and a colorful parade by the pathfinders.
Close 4600 pathfinders are attending program with their support staff.
Delivering the welcome address President of the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church Pastor Silent Tovosia said as the host nation he welcomes all the pathfinders to the camporee.
“It is an honor and humble privilege for me to welcome you all to the 2019 TPUM Camporee in Honiara the capital of Solomon Islands from my heart I welcome you all in the name of Christ our Lord.
“To the pathfinders from the various island missions, island fields and districts in TPUM and our sister union from PNGUM we welcome you from all our hearts.
“To all the pathfinders we trust that your attendance and participation in the programs this special week will result in a memorable experiences which will strengthen your relationship with Jesus and each other to hear the call to be his disciples which is the theme for our camporee,’’ said the SIM President.
“My prayer is that God will bestow his blessings not only in this opening ceremony but also in the entire camporee event so that every pathfinder here today will hear the call of Jesus Christ to be his disciples,” he said.
He also expressed sadness to the pathfinders of Samoa who are unable to attend due to the measles epidemic in their country.
“We pray that God will be very close to the Samoa pathfinders and their families and the whole nation in their grief caused by the measles epidemic,’’ Pr. Tovosia.
A small group from American Samoa managed to join the camporee this year.
Pr. Tovosia also welcomes the guest speaker for the camporee Pr. Andres Peralta Associate Youth Director General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and other Pastors form the South Pacific Division, TPUM who will be mentors for the pathfinders throughout the weeklong program.
Hundreds of parents, guardians, supporters and members of the public turned up to witness the opening ceremony staged at the new camp oval.
Yesterday’s first program featured marching drills by various clubs in the later part of the day.
More activities are being lined up for this week.
By BRYAN LUVENA
