On 24 and 25 October 2006, Pietermaritzburg Corps hosted a Young Women’s Fellowship Camp, welcoming more than 70 young women from across the Mid Kwa Zulu Natal Division.
The weekend began at Joseph Baynes with a friendly football match between the Durban and Pietermaritzburg sections. It was a fun time of fellowship and friendly competition, with Pietermaritzburg winning 3–0.
This was followed by a day of service at Joseph Baynes, where the young women were divided into groups to assist with the various age groups, from the nursery to the teenagers. Their activities included feeding babies, helping to prepare meals, cleaning, playing games and sharing stories with the toddlers. They also spent time engaging with the staff and expressing their appreciation for the wonderful work they do for The Salvation Army. This was a particularly special experience for the young women and one of the highlights of the weekend. The smiles and warmth shared by the children were unforgettable and will be treasured for a long time.
Later that day, the young women took part in a Christmas in October outreach initiative, providing an opportunity to showcase the work of The Salvation Army to the surrounding community. The outreach included sharing the Gospel with passers-by through the distribution of Bible tracts, raising awareness about gender-based violence and human trafficking, and highlighting the importance of child protection through the distribution of information pamphlets.
The young women also sang to passing motorists, who responded enthusiastically by hooting, stopping and offering positive feedback. People in taxis waved in support, while motorists joined in as the band played Christmas carols. The Divisional Ladies Band also supported the initiative, playing beautifully beneath the tree outside DHQ. It was a unique and enjoyable way of making The Salvation Army visible and sharing its message with the neighbourhood and wider community.
The team then prepared for the gala dinner, where everyone looked beautiful as they gathered to celebrate one another and explore the theme, Unfolding Beauty Around the Table of Identity. The evening featured three guest speakers who addressed important topics affecting young women today.
Sergeant Prince Shezi from Alexandra Road Police Station spoke about gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Miss Nokukhanya Manqele, a social worker, addressed the importance of upholding godly standards and values in a changing world. The final speaker was one of our own young women from Mpumalanga Corps, a lawyer in her first year of practice, who shared valuable insights on knowing our rights and understanding the law in everyday life.
The evening was a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and sisterhood. The young women were reminded that God has a plan and purpose for each of their lives. He is not finished with them; they are His children, chosen and called according to His purpose. Despite the challenges and pressures of the world, they can be confident in their identity as children of God.
The day concluded with a fun pyjama evening filled with board games, Bible challenges, Bible trivia and meaningful conversations.
Sunday began with a morning walk and run at the Boys’ College sports field, followed by the morning meeting, which focused on The Table of Belonging. Major Xoli Nxumalo shared the Word, reminding the young women of the importance of belonging and knowing that they have a place within God’s family. A special highlight was the enrolment of 13 new Young Women’s Fellowship members, for which we give thanks to the Lord.
We celebrate all that God did throughout this meaningful weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity for the young women from across the Division to spend time together, build friendships and get to know one another better. We are grateful to the Lord for His provision and for giving us the opportunity to serve, fellowship and make The Salvation Army visible in our communities.
Throughout the weekend, we experienced the four pillars of the Young Women’s Fellowship programme: fellowship, service, education and worship. What a blessing to share in such a special time together!