This has been my 8th YM camp since my life transforming ym camp
in 2005. And yet again, I looked back these wonderful 8 years with such
joy to see God doing what He needs to do in the lives of all these
youths year after year!
This year was serving at a different capacity compared to a more
administrative/planning level as a camp commandant the year before. And
got back to familiar grounds again as a camp group mentor of Blueberry
camp group & a Blue tree "farmer" (aka tribe leader) of the Blue
Tree Tribe which comprises of 70 youths in 5 camp groups!
Thoughts from a Blue Farmer
In the countless times as a camp leader, I've never prepared so much
prior to camp with my own camp group leaders compared to this year. We
even had time to plan cheers and set directions for our tribe dynamics.
Even seeing other tribes doing so much with their leaders through the
full day camp trainings & meetings prepared the leaders to serve
more effectively when camp come! And I'm thankful for this year camp
comm to focus their efforts on the camp leaders! This is where the start
of discipleship can happen! Our leaders modelling out the faith! :)
Had great fun with my blue tree tribe comprising of the 5 blue fruits
camp groups, Blueberry,Blackcurrant,Elderberry,Gooseberry &
Boysenberry. As we practice our tribe cheers with the leaders prior to
camp & later bonding with the entire tribe & groups in the war
games & group times! :) ...."BLUE TREE... WhooHaa!"
God's Message to us!
Beside the "rah-rah" part of camp in the games & tribe dynamics!
God had a strong message to each of us through the sermons by our Pastor
In Charge, Rev Melvin Huang who spoke at our YM Camp for first time
before he goes on his sabbatical next year. His also our first in house
camp keynote speaker since the past 10 ym camps too! He spoke on the
Kingdom of God, the body of Christ & the work of the Holy Spirit.
If I can summed up my biggest take away message wld be this statement he made. "We will never believe all that he has promise until we have given all we have".
Are you able to be in full surrender of your dreams and ambition right now today?
Matthew 6:33, "Seek first His kingdom & His righteousness & all this things shall be added on to you"
Other Reflections
This year was also involved in speaking at one of the camp workshops
together with Hans, Xunliang, Amanda & Elizabeth. On a forum on
"Living that Christian life", and it was amazing seeing how God work
through us & ministering to so many of the campers who attended that
workshop that day. As the Holy Spirit just came and did what he needed
to do to so many of the youths after our sharing & testimonies.
The building of the YM Tree was one impromptu plan by the 5 tribe leaders after the epic fierce war game, where we decided to share all our individual tribe money earned & bid for items in the auction to have a common fund instead to buy all the resources available such as leaves, masking tapes, cardboard boxes etc, to build one YM tree instead of the original plan of building 5 different tribe trees. This decision reminded me of Acts 2:37-47 of the fellowship of believers in the early church where they shared all their resources & there was no division! :) Acts 2:44-45 "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. "
Fast forwarding all the way to the last night of camp, saw God move
so powerfully in the lives of so many youths yet again. Praying for the
youths and hearing all the wonderful testimonies from my camp group
blueberry & my very own sec 4 group, GEL has been one of the
highlights. This beloved group of 15-16 year olds has step up &
matured so much over the years. And it makes my heart melt just thinking
about it, and it reminds me yet again why I decided to give this 2
years to focus to serve full time in youth ministry before I entered
seminary next year. Like what Ronda & josh said, they are so
heartened to see so many new sec 4 leaders stepping up to serve as camp
leaders this year. And I'm glad I made the decision to sent half my
group to be leader!
Conclusion
Wells another amazing ym camp has ended, but like what Rev
Melvin said, what really matters is we take our M.E.D.s (My Everyday
Decisions) after camp & make that commitment to be His Kingdom
People & to keep both feet into the kingdom of God each and
everyday! :)
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| Post YM Camp photos with this lovely people! :) My wonderful blue berry leaders, Ian & Claire, The blueberry camp Grp, my beloved sec 4 youths, GEL, “Sam, Ben & Ben, with Josh missing” & we finally did our first ever Team Wesley goes to hillsong pyramid in Singapore!” |
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