One hundred fifty acres along one of the nation’s major highways — that is one of the things that makes Camp Carabobo a prized possession of the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela. It is also one of the things that continues to create major stress for Venezuelan Baptists.
Technically the 150 acres is divided equally between the camp and the convention with each owning 75 acres. The camp has been able to develop its property with cabins, meeting areas, bath facilities, administrative offices, recreational areas, a tabernacle and more.
The 75 acres belonging to the convention sit as an open pasture overseen by camp staff. At one time, the camp had more than 60 head of cattle grazing on the land, but hard economic times forced the sale of the cattle. Today the only cattle grazing on the land belong to a worker who owns only a few head.
For generations, a wall around one’s property was all that was necessary for a landowner to protect his property from an “invasion” — squatters moving in and claiming the land because it is not being used. That is why Alabama Baptists, led by Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, helped construct a wall around Carabobo’s property. Alabama Baptists put more than $70,000 into the project.
But the property is threatened still. Under the current government, invasions can occur anytime property is not being adequately used — fence or no fence. Three times in the past few years, attempts have been made to invade the 75 acres of pastureland. Three times, camp staff has fended off the invasions.
International Mission Board missionary Hugh Redmond, chairman of the board of directors for the camp, believes the invasions were planned.
He said big trucks pulled up to the wall at night loaded with building materials. The next morning, several “shacks” were standing on the property.
Camp staff tore down the shacks and burned the material only to have the “invasion” repeated the next night.
Convention officials are working with camp administrator Haydee de Rodriguez to get cattle back on the land, at least enough to meet minimum-use standards of the Venezuelan government. That means at least 35 head, Redmond said.
“We are thankful for the wall around the property because it has reduced crime at the camp,” Rodriguez said. She described the camp as “very dangerous” before the wall was completed. Daylight robberies were not uncommon.
“We are so thankful for Alabama Baptists,” Rodriguez continued. “There is no way we could have ever built that wall by ourselves.”
She also expressed appreciation for other contributions of Alabama Baptists. Shocco Springs provided a ropes course and trained leaders in its use. Attendance has climbed in the past year due, in part, to the new feature.
Last year, Carabobo hosted more than 6,000 people and was used 296 days of the year.
Recently the national convention doubled its contribution to the camp, raising the Cooperative Program allocation from one-half of 1 percent to 1 percent. But because of the small size of the Cooperative Program, the percentage increase does not result in a large investment.
“Sometimes we have trouble paying our staff,” Rodriguez acknowledged. During the summer season in July and August, the camp is forced to depend on a large number of volunteer staff members.
Rodriguez said the training provided by Shocco Springs for camp staff members has been invaluable. It has increased efficiencies and created lots of ideas that are still being evaluated.
“We are thankful for all Alabama Baptists have done,” she said. “You have been a tremendous blessing to us. Please do not forget us. Please continue praying for us.”
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