MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Mzizi Church in Minnesota held its fourth annual young adults retreat bringing together people from several states in the US. Held from Thurs 20th - Sun 23rd August 2009 at the Lake Koronis Camp, attendees travelled from as far as Dallas, Kansas, Washington, Tennessee, Georgia and Massachusetts. The location was a camp site with cabins complete with a fellowship hall, two campsire sites and a lake with boats. The featured speaker for the retreat was Pastor Charles Nganga of Mamlaka Chapel, Nairobi. Thursday evening was reserved for registration and also served as a time to network and get to know each other. After a praise and worship session, attendees were welcomed to the camp by organizer Dan Muchiri and Mzizi Church officials.

Those that chose the black t-shirts

Friday morning started with a sumptious breakfast followed by a praise and worship session. The session then switched up to teaching mode as Pastor Nganga shared the word. Thereafter the 135 attendees were split into groups where they discussed general Bible topics. After lunch, it was time to change into shorts for some sports. There was a tag of war piting the ladies and the men, basketball, soccer and general games including skipping. With plenty of boats to go around, the lake was then open for anyone to pick a boat and row into the waters.

Those that chose the white t-shirts

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After dinner, there was another praise and worship session and then Mzizi senior pastor Richard Munala took to the podium to share about relationships. With everyone dressed up in African regalia, African night then proceeded with a fashion show from each state represented. DJ Fresh played the best in Kenyan as everyone tried their swing on the runway. Even the women from United Methodist Church who were also on the camp grounds could not be left out of the jig. Thereafter, the seats were moved making a huge dancefloor in the room. There was an all-out jam session as DJ Fresh served gospel hits for some hours. No, the day was not done as immediately attendees hit the bon-fire site where they reminisced the good old days on Kenyan television by singing famous TV ads and patriotic songs that were on KBC radio. Clearly this was not for people born in the 90s. There was also a mchongoano session that you only had to be there to experience.

Come Saturday morning after breakfast and the praise and worship session, Pastor Nganga continued his message from the day before. Lunch was reserved for a special nyama choma session and thereafter a photo session where everyone looked great in black and white t-shirts. The camp was then split into different groups where single ladies had their own girl-meeting discussing many issues that affect them. The single men, married ladies and married men also had their own different sessions discussing their common issues. With the calm waters and serene environment, the boats were then made available where people relaxed and made merry while rowing the boats.

Fun at the lake

Dallas-based Upendo Church youth pastor Samson Muniu shared in the evening session after supper and the praise and worship session. Dubbed Banjuka nite, DJ Fresh then took over throwing down more gospel jams. Starting with some amazing reggae joints and easing into some straight up party jams, attendees let loose and showed their best moves. The party then moved from the hall to the bon-fire site for more merry making, silly games, mchongoano (yes, there's clean mchongoano, lol) and more.

Come Sunday morning and it was time to break the camp. Brunch was served at 9 as attendees all headed back to Minneapolis for a church service at Mzizi Church. They then bid each other farewell and vowed to be back the following year in August and do it all over again. For more info on Mzizi Church, visit www.mzizichurch.org

Check out last year's recap of the event here