I just reached home not long ago. Unpacked my stuff and had a refreshing bath. Now, before I move on to sleep, I know that I have to journal my experiences and learning first. I want to take note of these things while it is still fresh in my memory.

The overall camp, to me, was rather fruitful and meaningful.

At the beginning of the camp, I remember I was telling God how expectant I was to meet Him and wait for Him to speak in my life. I stated my objectives clearly to Him. I was eager to experience the kind of church camp ‘feeling’.

My objectives in camp were:
• To focus on Daniel, getting to know him better and getting him more connected to the Caregroup
• To have God use me in a different or new way e.g. word of prophesy
• To have God speak to me on where He wants to lead me to next

Unfortunately, besides the first objective, the other two was not met. I waited on God since the first night till the very last night. Every praise and worship session I was asking God to meet me and don’t pass me by. But I do not know why, I just cannot seem to focus at all. Partly because I can’t sing the songs because of the bad condition of my voice, partly I believe it was also I am distracted. But when I actually reflected on it, I was not exactly distracted. Rather, I am expectant of God and was in continuous prayer to God. “So what is the thing that is stopping God from speaking to me?” I wondered.

Then God actually reminded me this – camp is not the only time God can speak to me, if He wants to speak to me He will speak to me at the correct time. Why be so anxious about wanting God to speak? True to say that it is this kind of eagerness and desire that will allow God to speak to us. But, another truth is that sometimes are we too eager that we get ahead of God and do not allow Him to speak in the correct and perfect timing?

Besides that, another thing that God reminded me about was that it is not the kind of camp ‘feeling’ that I need to look forward to. Truth is that this very camp feeling is just merely like adrenaline that hypes us up temporarily. This very camp ‘feeling’ is not the feeling that will sustain me through my whole Christian walk with God. Feelings are not stable, they fluctuates. One day we might be happy, another day angry, another discouraged. When these negative feelings come, will I still make decisions to do the right thing for God? Thus, it is not the camp ‘feeling’ that I need to seek. It is a commitment. A commitment to love God whole heartedly, serve Him wholeheartedly and give to Him whole heartedly. Decision that we make in life not based on the feelings that we have at the current situation or circumstance, but based on the commitment and loyalty that we have pledged to God during camp.

Though God did not meet my objectives in camp, he allowed me to realize that:
• Growth does not take place only in camp but daily in my walk with Him
• Decisions should not be based on our feelings or emotions at the current time, but on the pledge of commitment that we have to God

These are just mere two points that I have received during camp. There are so many other points that I need to grow and change in.

Hey, I encourage you also to note down points or areas that God had spoken. Certain specific areas that God wants us to grow and change in, note them down. Things that you have learnt during the sharing of the word, note them down. Practical application points, note them down too. So that we are clear on what we learn and need to grow in.

AND!! Remember the challenge made by Yiqin to the Caregroup, and Dennis to the district.

Yiqin challenged us to fulfill ‘Project 123’, which affects 3 groups of people:
• Those who are alone in the school to build a seed group which consists of at least 3 people by the end of this quarter
• Those who have at least two in the school to have a Caregroup with around 5 to 7 people in the group by the end of this quarter
• Graduating people to serve in an free lance outreach, outreaching to any school as and when it is best

Dennis challenged us about 3 things
• More good musicians to rise up in the district
• More people who are able to help out in the IT and media side of the district
• New generation of leaders from the lower secondary

Think about what you or I can do to make these things come to pass.

That aside, I really enjoyed this camp a lot. During the camp, elements of fun and family were well displayed by the Caregroup. The nights when we had our ‘turn table’ were really sadistic, but very enjoyable. The ‘alien game’ that we played repeated and sabotaged people on stage to do forfeit, those were memorable. Especially those sharing at night and how we squeeze in the cozy room were very warmth filled. Not forgetting the ‘feng shui’ spot that we talked about. These things had created great memories which can hardly be removed.

I cannot deny that our Caregroup had grown a lot together during this camp. There were greater bonding amongst the people and people serving one another e.g. getting the food. I believe even the rest of you noticed it the change. Really have to thank God for it, now that we are growing more and more like a Caregroup. However, we still have to work towards the perfect standard demonstrated by the early churches in the book of Acts.

The whole camp was enjoyable and memorable because of every one of you. You make a difference; you are part of us EastD1. I pray that we will continue to grow even more together.

One parting thing to remind you people is this:
Cultivate spiritual habits such as quiet time and prayer to sustain this spiritual life.

Love,
Winstar