First up was the church's leader retreat, over at SAF Yatch Club. Had been looking forward to some time off, and it was really worth it. Thankfully that I'm now considered a student, the fees were covered.
Can still recall that particular weekend of the retreat....just on saturday and sunday, was involved in worship prac, bs prep, playing for service, leading bs...man....way over my head. Was only too glad for everything to be done, and to just head off to the retreat.
And it was really a very different leaders' retreat, compared to the past. No discussions about church issues...it was all about feeding, and personal reflections. It was my first time hearing the invited speaker, Pastor Huang. Pretty likable style....simple and straightforward points that makes you think.
Overall, enjoyed the time, space, food, fellowship and sessions. I'll just hand it over to the pics then..
hello ladies....behind the counter..
the early birds..
..got the bird's eye view
hmm...the steering wheelie doesn't quite fit with the sampan-y boat here
mmm..the view makes you just wanna run out there and shout away like the wild.ok maybe it's just me.
a simple 2 storey building
just me and my guitar.ok and a whole lot of boats there.
their dining restaurant turned seminar room that we used.cool, and did i tell u, it was a blast going around the carpet barefooted
one of the session
heh, another one of those emo pics that kimi said I always loved to take.got meh?
me and ian. cute and a very good and sensible boy, unlike me man.but why does he seem afraid of me with his body language ah?
=(
you can see the bunk room block from the seminar room
had a swim in their cool pool. abit too small though
right most block, 3rd floor, 2nd balcony window from the left.that's my room with fuda
yeahh, our south-china room
mmm....cosy as it looks
the cool view from the balcony
the not-so-cool view.hah jokingg
these are the smaller sails i suppose?
the book which we focusd on throughout the retreat
a shot taken when i drifted abit from the speaker. oops.
hey you can't blame me for being distracted man, when we're surrounded by scenic views
if you look ahead beyond the pathway, you'll see blocks of stone pillarsthat are on level with the sea. meaning if you were to walk on them, it'll look like you're walking on water from afar. VERY cool. that's if you don't fall into the sea first.
we saw this bunch of kids playing with a banana like boat, where they hang on to this banana like thing tied to a speed boat. fun lehh.
some warships/carriers from the open house by the naval base that day
caught this shot when i woke up.
we were supposed to wake up to see the sunrise.but as usual, the evil bed caught me in a tight grip and didn't let go =(
well this was what i managed to get
hehh stoning at the morning view. really nice.
waking up to the sea breeze in your face, hard to beat something like that
with the world under my feet
breakfast by the sea. always wanted that...super!
emo shot no.844635guess kimi was right =D
time to walk the plant, matey. arrrrrrrrrrr~
shooting the shooter
ok the secret is finally out.i own a yatch.
woot. just like in the mtvs! wheeee~
if you imagined owning all the boats in the background,you'd have a smug look on your face like me too
on the way back
The other one, was this youth leader's seminar, that I went with a few of the youths. Felt kinda like a retreat in a sense though. They had a pretty engaging style of seminar, using skits, interviews and movie clips to bring across certain teaching points and all. The engaging speaker helped too.
Especially helpful, was the moments of quietness they alloted, for you to wait upon certain through-provoking questions. The interview sessions were made interesting with invited personel such as the owner of 77th Street, and Daphne Khoo, of SgIdol fame. Some pretty cool sharing from them I'd say.
It was a good experience, and infact, I was quite bowled over by the turn out. Almost 900 youths or around. Oh well, too bad I had to leave earlier for band prac.
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I'm certainly thankful for the providence of such instances. Guess I'm gonna continue on with the questions and thoughts after the june camp, although that would probably be near the start of my school term.
Mmm...after the 2 days at SAF Yatch Club...it left me further wanting for some time away.
"Give me the faith of David, to see you as greater than any problem in situations.
Give me the love of Jonathan, to care and to befriend in spiritual friendships.
Give me the integrity of Joseph, to be upright through temptations.
Give me the wisdom of Solomon, to discern the best way to guide your people.
Give me the decisiveness of Joshua, to lead your people into their call.
Give me the servanthood of Nehemiah, to be burdened for the needs of your church.
Give me the initiative of Peter, to step out from the boat at Your Word.
Give me the passion of Paul, to stay focused on what really matters for the long haul.
But most of all, let me be a person whose life is first given to You."
Give me the love of Jonathan, to care and to befriend in spiritual friendships.
Give me the integrity of Joseph, to be upright through temptations.
Give me the wisdom of Solomon, to discern the best way to guide your people.
Give me the decisiveness of Joshua, to lead your people into their call.
Give me the servanthood of Nehemiah, to be burdened for the needs of your church.
Give me the initiative of Peter, to step out from the boat at Your Word.
Give me the passion of Paul, to stay focused on what really matters for the long haul.
But most of all, let me be a person whose life is first given to You."
That was something from Pastor Huang's sharing. Good desires and aspirations, but for now, I'd just say....
Give me a stilled heart, bringing all before You, as You bring me to the quiet, waiting in silence to hear from You.