On Thursday, 12th July 2007, I (YP B/M Jerome Astwood of WECC Bermuda Division) traveled to Boston, MASS., to be the guest of the MASS. Division Music & Gospel Arts Camp at the Salvation Army’s Camp Wonderland.

I felt privileged and honored to be their guest, as I have never done anything like this before. God uses us if we make ourselves available to him.

When I arrived I was warmly greeted by my brother in Christ B/M Bill Rollins -Divisional Music & Gospel Arts Director MASS. Division. We grabbed a quick bite to eat along with two young exchange campers, Deleonay and Devin from the Salvation Army’s Camp Wonderland in Chicago. Both campers are budding cornet and trombone players. I was also fortunate enough to be housed in the DC’s guest cabin with air conditioning and all the trimmings.

Upon my arrival on the camp grounds, I was overwhelmed by the number of campers and staff members. With over 100 staff and 200 plus campers, this is the largest camp in their summer camp industry. Throughout the week I was really blessed to work with campers and staff from all over the world, with their unique differences but united by one God.

The week was filled with much beauty life experiences and Christ like love. The campers worked very hard to enhance their talents in the arts, all in the name of the Gospel. Their passion was like mines, to make a difference and to tell the world about Jesus.

Puppet Elective	Mime Elective
Guitar Elective	Bell Choir Elective

I led the Wonderland Chorus, I chose a variety of music from Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance to a brass arrangement of “When you Believe’ from the Prince of Egypt movie. We also played S.A. arrangements like Lt. Col. Dr. R.V. Steadman-Allen’s ‘Prelude on Sphor’. With the chorus, I had a large group made up of staff and the older campers. Some of the items we worked on were a rousing spiritual type piece entitled, ‘The Gospel Train’ and Major Donna K. Peterson’s, solemn arrangement of, ‘Nothing But Thy Blood’. The campers were quite attentive; they really received the whole week.

On the Sunday during the worship service, B/M Bill accompanied me on the piano as a played a cornet solo, “I Need Thee’ by Alastair Taylor. The DYS spoke well encouraging us all to make a difference in our world for Jesus no matter what.

Wonderland Band	Wonderland Chorus
Drama	Suday PM Service

The Thursday night, was the Fine Arts Festival. All the campers participate in presenting the Gospel message through the arts-dance, mime, music, creative writing, percussion, timbrels, etc… This was a night of shining stars. Many sponsors within the community, who support the SA Camp ministry, came out to enjoy a night of praise and adoration.

The final program was well attended at the end of the week, showing the reason why the campers come back each year to camp. It was a hot, steamy, sweaty, Boston-baked week, but it was a time that we felt the presence of God in our midst. Scholarships and awards were given but the greatest praise went to God.

The opportunity to be a part of this camp ministry was truly awesome. I did not just give but I also received. I made new friends and grew closer to God. I shout out to all my brothers and sisters in Christ in Boston. I now know why Camp Wonderland is “The happy summer place”, because Christ is in the center of it. Keep up the great work, the Kingdom is strengthened because of your efforts and obedience. Thanks and God bless. Jerome Astwood.

Jerome Astwood attends the West End Community Church of The Salvation Army Bermuda Division. He is a fourth generation Salvationist: His great grandfather was the Envoy of West End (formerly known as Somerset Corps), and his mother served there as YPSM (Young People's Sergeant Major). Jerome is the currently the bandmaster for the corp's Youth Band, the Band Sgt for the Senior Band, and the Bandmaster for Bermuda's Divisional Youth Band. By vocation Jerome has been a Detective Sergeant in Bermuda's Police Force for the past 14 years. He is married with a wonderful 3 year old daughter named Tesyah-Mahle Astwood who is his pride and joy. He loves all types of music and Gospel Arts, and plays football (soccer) in his spare time.