Hutututu

We call it the most holy game of Camp Highland.  It is the game at camp.  To remove it from Camp Highland would cause us to cease being Camp Highland.  It is a way of life.

That may be an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that Hutututu is Camp Highland's most favored tribal game, with ultimate frisbee being its closest competitor among the staff.  And as with anything, there are countless lessons that can be taken away from the game.  During our staff training one day, we read the stories of Samuel and David facing the Philistines in 1 Samuel 7 and 17, and I was struck by the reflection of Hutututu in the story of David facing Goliath.

In Hutututu, one person crosses from his side to enter the territory of the opposing tribe, chanting, "Hutututu," repeatedly in a single breath.  His goal is to tag as many people as possible and cross back over to his tribal territory before taking another breath.  The opposing tribe's objective is to avoid being tagged and to keep the invader from escaping back to his side.  Often one defender will latch onto the attacker, and the rest of the defending tribe will swarm to his aid to hold back the attacker until he runs out of breath.  This is the picture we see in the story of David and Goliath.

In the battle of the Israelites versus the Philistines, one mighty warrior named Goliath stepped forward to challenge the opposition, shouting out threats to any who might dare to step forward against him.  Then David, one bold enough to accept the challenge, came forward and faced the menacing giant.  David struck Goliath with a stone and brought him to his end, as in Hutututu one might grapple with an attacker to hold him back.  When Goliath had been defeated, the Israelite troops rallied to conquer the remainder of the Philistine army, just as one's tribe would rally to his aid as he fights to hold back an invader.

This picture of battle gives us a model for how we ought to pray.  The Apostle Paul has much to say on the topic of prayer, often speaking of his own prayers for the Church and asking for prayer from the Church.  In Philippians 4:6, we are called to not only pray to the Lord but also to petition the Lord, or intercede with the Lord, for our own needs and for the needs of others.  When we pray, we speak individually with God.  When we petition, we call upon the body of believers to pray in agreement with us.  In Colossians 4:2, we are urged, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."  When David stood up to Goliath and the Israelites saw his triumph, I imagine that they were watching closely to see the results and that they were thankful when the Lord brought victory through the bold young shepherd.  As soon as Goliath fell, I envision the Israelites watching in awe as David stepped forward to seize the giant's sword, all hands gravitating toward their own weapons as the blade swung down to sever the glory of the Philistine champion from his people.  Likewise, we are to be watchful and thankful in prayer, staying alert to recognize the needs of others (Ephesians 6:18), giving thanks for the first signs of victory and immediately jumping to usher in total triumph as soon as a foothold has been gained.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:12, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."  E.M. Bounds asserts in his book The Essentials of Prayer, "The present ground we occupy must be held by making advances, and all the future must be covered and brightened by it."  Many battles have been won so far this summer, and now it is time to celebrate in the Lord's triumph and to welcome Him to come and bring the completion of His victory.  Even better is yet to come.  Pray with me, and allow me to pray with you too.  Come quickly, Lord (Revelation 22:20).