The really marvelous thing is that despite the many various things to settle and look into for this camp with limited help, questions and issues and all at hand...there wasn't actually much pressure to get things done. I really found it to be a time of unwinding, and it really was a rewarding time of being with the youths.
The only nagging feel I had was the physical and mental weariness within me even before the camp. Thinking through the various aspects for the camp, and making trips to get stuff for the special art/craft session. I mourned the loss of tampines Spotlight's closure as I realised I had to go all the way to PS's Spotlight branch for my stuff.
But it was kinda cool lah...browsing through all that craft and design stuff...except for the fact that the shop was mainly populated by female craft enthusiasts shopping for their stuff, with the occasional suffering-in-silence male/boy friend tagging along behind in agony. I decided it wasn't too good an idea to be "shopping" alone there for too long. FEELS WEIRD.
So through the night till the next day of the camp start itself, kinda rushed the preparations and all for the camp. Due to the previous blog entry incident I had...was kinda affected. Just want to say a word of thanks to the person I had a chat with the night before the camp. When the person expressed that excitement for the camp...it...encouraged me, reminding me of the reason for it all again, that because of the people there, it's worth looking forward to it.
That there's the other side of day to remember of....a purpose to it all.
=)
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Brother's Keeper (23 - 24 June)
Mmm...the number of youths coming for it wasn't really much. But as it shows...the number is secondary.
Appreciated the games carried out by the youths...must say, most of them really incorporated the teamwork aspect. Cool.....even for the funny crunchy bananas we ate...err...let's just say that the experience is like the army...it's memorable, but you wouldn't want to go through it again. =D
Outdoor bbq in the middle of a camp? Cool....first for me in a camp. Turned out pretty well. Have some snapshots of it. =)
The 'Spicy Rojaks' !
Coolludes (cool dudes)
"But I dun wanna goooooooo..."
It's time for...
...spastic faces!!!
Coolludes in black
Men in the mirror
My culinary skills at work
The peeps played...
..and ate their hearts out...
...while chef Chan sweats his heart out =(
A blessing...
..from my keepren.
Really appreciated the workshop by pastor steven. Hard and straight questions put right before us, to really consider and reflect. Now, it's up to our move of not committing the mistake of just glossing over it, but to see how each and everyone of us will choose to individually respond.
Will we walk together for the road ahead of us?My 2 favourite moments of the camp?
Both were on the night of the camp. With everyone upstairs resting at lightsoff, I went downstairs and took a seat at the sofa with a can of lemontea. The view outside the counselling centre's gate was nice. A peaceful quiet night with illuminated lights and streetlamps. I believe I've done this for almost every camp at church. In fact, I look forward to it. Every camp is like a retreat. To have that time of quietness and being away from your usual environment, where you're not bound by the rush of time.
And that night...I spoke to Him. It seems like such a long time since I've been able to find that moment of refuge and stillness before Him. Especially with the series of events leading up to the camp...it was akin to finding a sheltered cave in the midst of a thunderstorm.
After that moment of peace and final preparations for the 2nd day, I went up to get ready for sleep. Then came my 2nd MOMENT of the camp.
Found some of the guys huddled around on the mattress, talking. They invited me into the fellowship of the circle as I approached. My initial response within was..."but i wanna sleeeeeppp =(". But somehow, something nudged me that this was an opportunity that's not gonna come ever so often. I jumped at it. It was a time of real relating and connection. You could sense the desire to go beyond surface talk...and to relate...honestly. It was like a moment of breakthrough...finally!? A simple time...but one that I've been picturing in my journey with the youths.
Reminds me of the reminder before the camp...to focus on the purpose and big picture of things with Him, despite the surroundings.
Ended the saturday with worship prac after the camp ended. Man...my mind was all in a blank as I was playing the songs, just going through the motions. The drum tom-toms looked good to put my head on to rest!!
Haven't managed to get a fully good rest till now...but, it was worth it.
Thank you all for the efforts in planning and executing the games, it all added up to the camp's purpose. Very nice!
Thank you for opening your house for our bbq, and making the choice to lead the session of asking those hard questions despite your tiredness.
Thank you for the card made and given, it is very nice. Effort and intention greatly treasured and appreciated.
Thank you for making the choice to come in the end, it made the difference.
Thank You for the time of relating, swimming, stillness and other moments that You knew would bring delight to my heart. It was refreshing to my soul.
Satisfied by Him,
thankful for the providences He brings along.
thankful for the providences He brings along.
