我們在浩瀚的星空下露營，零距離地感受西非無垠的夜空。在旱季，搭不搭帳篷都無所謂，但營火卻至關重要。爸爸一邊用棍子戳著柴火，一邊說：「千萬別讓火熄滅。」火能使野生動物遠離營區。上帝創造的野生動物固然是活潑可愛，但你絕不會希望花豹或毒蛇在你的營地遊蕩。

我父親是迦納北部地區的宣教士，他善於使用各種情況做機會教育，當然露營也不例外。

上帝也使用露營來教導祂的子民，祂吩咐以色列民每一年都要守一連七天的住棚節，住在用「棕樹上的枝子，與茂密樹的枝條，並河旁的柳枝」搭建的棚子裡（利未記23章40節）。守住棚節有兩個目的。上帝告訴他們：「凡以色列家的人，都要住在棚裡，好叫你們世世代代知道我領以色列人出埃及地的時候，曾使他們住在棚裡」（42-43節）。這節期也是要讓眾人歡慶，「在耶和華你們的上帝面前歡樂七日」（40節）。

你可能不覺得露營是件有趣的事，但上帝為以色列人設立為期一週的住棚節，是要讓他們以喜樂的方式紀念上帝的恩惠。我們很容易忘記節日的核心意義，但歡樂的節慶活動能提醒我們，這位慈愛的上帝所具備的特 質，祂也創造了樂趣。

We camped under the stars, with nothing between us and the infinite West African sky. No need for a tent in the dry season. But the fire was crucial. “Never let the fire go out,” Dad said, prodding the logs with a stick. Fire kept wildlife at a distance. God’s creatures are wonderful, but you never want a leopard or a snake meandering through your campsite.

Dad was a missionary to Ghana’s Upper Region, and he had a knack for turning everything into a teaching moment. Camping was no exception.  

God used campouts as a teaching point for His people too. Once a year, for an entire week, the Israelites were to live in shelters made of “branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees” (Leviticus 23:40). The purpose was twofold. God told them, “All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt” (vv. 42-43). But the event was also to be festive. “Rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days” (v. 40).  

Camping may not be your idea of fun, but God instituted a one-week campout for the Israelites as a joyful way to recall His goodness. We easily forget the meaning at the heart of our holidays. Our festivals can be joyous reminders of the character of our loving God. He created fun too.