Lives Changed at BMAC

On Thursday 6 March, a group of women began the long journey through peak hour Auckland traffic towards The Salvation Army’s Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC) in Raurimu. Jules Badger reports on how their three days away together changed everything.

BMAC is an outdoor adventure centre located in the heart of the North Island, with the mission of helping ‘people discover and live out their God-given potential through the challenge of adventure’. Twenty-one women from various programmes and services of Waitākere Central Corps and Community Ministries attended the camp at BMAC, and many had not previously met.

One of the camp attendees, Karma Murphy, said, ‘I was excited to go away with the other women, but I was nervous about leaving my five boys, and because I didn’t really know everyone—not on a personal level. We’ve become much closer since going to BMAC!’ 

From fear to prayer

Corps officer Lt-Colonel Sheryl Jarvis, and Georgia Mellsop co-led the weekend. Sheryl described the make-up of the group as, ‘a beautiful mix of women’. With the youngest participant aged 23 and the eldest 77, the intergenerational group was also culturally diverse and representative of different backgrounds, including women in recovery from addiction and others leaving violent partners and exiting gang life. Many are solo parenting, and some had never been out of Auckland or to that part of the country before.

Going to BMAC was Lynn Misa’s first time leaving her six children. ‘I never wanted to leave my kids before because they were still young, but when the chance came this time to go to BMAC I thought, Oh they are old enough now, so I could leave them and take some time to reconnect with myself. So that was a highlight for me—time to myself. And so much about camp strengthened my walk with God.’

Each day began with an optional prayer meeting held at 7am. ‘There were 17-plus women each day,’ said Sheryl. ‘It wasn’t compulsory, so to see so many choosing to get up early to pray together was deeply moving.’ 

On the first day the women participated in high ropes and rock-wall climbing, while the second day was spent white-water rafting. The women supported and encouraged each other as they stepped out of their comfort zones, faced their fears and pushed past their perceived limits. 

Taua Matai’a conquered her fear of heights at BMAC. ‘I was determined to do activities that challenged me and made me step out of my comfort zone, like high ropes and rock climbing,’ she said.

‘The scariest thing I did at BMAC was jumping off the five-metre cliff into the river,’ explained Lynn. ‘It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done! My kids have seen the fear in me, so I couldn’t wait to tell my kids I had done it!’

Creating a village

A special time was when BMAC instructor Steve Ward openly shared about the personal tragedy he and his wife experienced with the loss of their babies, which touched the women. Steve challenged them to consider the question: ‘When it’s tough, who’s your village?’

‘I’ve come back knowing that the women I’m friends with—they’ve got my back,’ said Taua. 

‘The BMAC staff were just wonderful,’ said Sheryl, who reports that since the trip, the women are becoming a village with each other.  

‘There are ongoing connections between the women that are deepening,’ she said. ‘Some have started coming more regularly to church because they became part of something bigger that weekend—they built relationships and now feel a sense of connection with and care for each other. They are walking across the room to catch up. We also have a Messenger chat—technology helps with connection too!’

Jade Karati is part of the Community Ministries team and leads the Building Awesome Whānau programme. Jade said, ‘It was a really amazing privilege to see some of the women I have journeyed with over the past three years have a real breakthrough, not only within themselves but also in their walk with God. Since camp, one of greatest things I’ve been able to bear witness to is how much the women want that real transformative change in their lives.’ 

An unexpected gift

Sheryl was initially hesitant when she arrived to her new appointment as corps officer at Waitākere in January and discovered she was scheduled for a women’s adventure camp just a few months after beginning. 

‘Not usually my jam,’ she laughed. ‘But the weekend was such a gift to me! The relationships formed have been life-changing for the women and for me as well. I got to learn a bit of 20 women’s stories. I saw them face their fears and support each other. I got to be part of an all-embracing bond that included me! It was a beautiful gift getting to know these incredible women.’  

The trip was funded by the Strathlachlan Grassroots Fund, which focuses on changing the causes of women’s vulnerability at local levels. Local corps members also contributed generously to costs.

‘I would recommend BMAC, especially to other mums,’ said Lynn. ‘If someone wants to take me again, I’m willing to go back!’