The Sabah Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is now part of the newly formed Malaysia Union Mission, successfully hosted its 12th Motivation Camp from April 13 to 16. The camp, which was held in Ranau at one of the region’s gorgeous recreational campgrounds, included a variety of exciting activities such as archery, fishing, boating, swimming, team-building exercises, group challenges, and more. A total of 132 individuals eagerly joined the camp.

The Sabah Mission Youth Ministries Department organizes the Motivation Camp each year. The program, which is specifically intended for high school graduates who are awaiting the results of their national examinations, attempts to prepare students for their forthcoming move to higher education. It gives these young people a chance to get out of their comfort zones and prepare for the difficulties that await them at college or university.

Lysoniel Juji Lamam, Sabah Mission youth ministries director, highlighted the significance of the event. “This specialized camp caters to high school graduates, offering them a glimpse of the challenges they will encounter as they step into the next phase of their lives outside their familiar environments,” Lamam explained.

Aside from the exciting activities and challenges, the Motivation Camp gives participants the opportunity to connect with pastors, elders, and youth leaders. This relationship allows them to build direct contact channels for seeking aid and guidance throughout their tertiary education experience in Malaysia’s numerous educational institutions, leaders explained.

The obstacle course run, done on the final day of the program, is a highlight of the event for participants. The course, which begins with a mentally tough scenario designed to test perseverance, pushes participants to overcome physical and mental barriers through teamwork, coordination, and unwavering effort. This culminating exercise represents the participants’ progress and togetherness throughout the course of the three-day camp.

Along with providing physical and emotional exercises, the Motivation Camp builds new friendships among participants, allowing them to form a support network for when they journey out into the world. It also provides a venue for facilitators to share inspirational testimonials, in which they tell how God has helped them overcome personal obstacles while pursuing their educational goals. These stories cover a wide range of situations, from problems in establishing a religious community to drugs, alcohol, smoking, gambling, broken relationships, and even unanswered prayers.

Lamam led a dedicatory prayer at the end of the camp on April 16. “I hope that all participants implement the lessons learned at camp to remain solid in their faith in the face of future hardships,” Lamam prayed. “Furthermore, that when students embark on the next chapter of their lives, they are encouraged to use their experiences and knowledge as strong tools for sharing God’s love with those around them.”The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.