First Ever! ABC Islands District Youth Conference "We shall Embark"

At the airport ready to go!  -left to right -  
President Albus, Gari, Genesis, Nefi, Richard and Kevin in front

Greetings from sunny Bonaire!

     In July the Youth of the ABC Islands gathered on Curacao for the first ever Youth Conference. There were 31 youth plus chaperones and leaders. From Bonaire there were 3 young men and 1 young woman. Elder VV and I were asked to be chaperones and to make a presentation from the Strength of Youth pamphlet on Language, Dance and Music.  That assignment caused us no small amount of anxiety and stress; however, it was a wonderful experience to be a part of a life changing event for so many of the youth.

Just the right size! - Kevin Albus

     The Young Men Young Women theme for 2015 is "We Shall Embark" We started to prepare for the conference by singing the theme song in Sunday School for a month in anticipation of the conference.  That song was an ongoing unity builder throughout the conference.

               There was a wonderful variety of presentations from the Strength of Youth pamphlet, the sexual purity by Sister Hansen was especially well done. They had workshops, a service project, dance and fiesta!  There were classes on the scriptures, church leadership, modesty, communication in the media and family history.

 

Juan David - the YM who just recieved his mission call

Sister Buckley and Ralph

Gari (in coral) with partner

Salsa or Merengue?

      Our Youth from Bonaire were Genesis, Nefi, Gari,and Richard. None of the youth on the different islands had ever met each other before. You could see the trepidation as they slowly and cautiously approached this new experience.

     As chaperones we gathered the girls together in the evening before bed, to talk and get feedback and hear how they felt about the first day.

Chaperones and room mates

 There was an overwhelming feeling of delight and gratitude, and perhaps a bit of surprise.. They had never had friends who had the same values and goals and feelings about religion and life. They all seemed to become friends instantly. There was such a feeling of acceptance and love among them all. Genesis reported that in her room of 12 girls there was no drama! She was surprised and pleased.

Genesis Saragoza headed for home

      Genesis has always been the only girl in the branch/on the island who was a member of the church. Since the conference she has visited both Curacao and Aruba to stay with her new friends and strengthen her friendships.

     In the modesty class a nonmember who had come, said that she had never thought about her body that way and the need to cover up and dress modestly.

     Before the Conference in talking to Genesis I got the impression that she was just going to "settle" in the marriage department and that she didn't think she would ever find some one who could take her to the Temple. After the conference she told me about talking to one of the other girls and how they were planning their Temple weddings to their returned missionaries. It was a complete turn around in her view of what the future held for her.

     By the end of the Conference everyone was crying hugging and didn't want to go home. They had come "home" and had a whole new "family". Facebook and instagram and whatsapp have been on fire with all the texting and chatting and whatsapping between the islands.

The the youth who didn't come this time can't wait till next year.

     There were many bumps in the road at the first youth conference. Many glitches, problems with accomodations, food, miscommunications, and much could be improved.  But the kids did not care. It was a wonderful life changing and strengthening event for the youth.

We were able to see and watch as the youth got a vision of all the possibilities that lie ahead for them, as they embrace and live the gospel.

We feel very blessed to have been there.