What I experienced during this camp was God’s presence. Usually when I sing worship songs, I feel nothing. But in this camp, I felt it and it was amazing.
On the first night, I got a little homesick, luckily the following day I was getting use to it. This was my first New Life camp, and it was kinda fun except for the part that we have to use 4 hours just to get there.
The best thing I like about this camp was the community project. When we were there, the kids were actually observing our every move. It was scary but at the same time it was cute.
Talent night was fun too, it was so funny. We also had a church visitation to FGA (Full Gospel Assembly). To be honest, that morning I was so sleepy that when we went there and when the speaker started talk, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
The people here are quite friendly too. I made a lot of new friends. On the last night, they said we could stay up till 3am then they said that we can sleep at any time, we were so happy. I slept at 3 something in the morning.
This morning when we woke up at 7am, usually we’ll wake up at 6 something. And while we were having praise and worship, I couldn’t even do it properly and when they started praying, I almost dosed off but I can still hear him praying. Now, we must take a 4 hour journey back to KL. This was a great camp. I learnt a lot of things, especially God’s presence.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Mun Hong - NewLife Shah Alam
The Get Real camp in Taiping was among the most enjoyable camps I’ve attended. Activities that I enjoyed were the football game, the time where we were suppose to give out fliers, the visit to Jesus Care orphanage, the sketch, the rally and lots others. The best part of this camp was worship session on Monday night. I was somehow touched on that night and it felt great. Last but not least, the youths were all really friendly there, especially my roomies. Oh yeah, Group 2 rocks! Number 2 all the way!
Allison Goh - NewLife Shah Alam
Dear God, the 5 days camp had been totally awesome. Your presence was really strong upon me especially during the last few days. Nothing could ever be compared with it. I felt that You really wanted to speak to me regarding being real especially in the presence of Your people. As the Spirit moved so strongly within my heart, I was just reminded of that song ‘Stained Glass Masquerade’ be Casting Crowns. It said ‘why do we feel so small in the midst of so many strong ones? Are we happy plastic people? Why do we hide our pain with our smiles, hoping that no one sees the real us inside? Outside we seem alright, all in for God but deep down, where no one sees, we’re totally wiped out, crushed and destroyed.’
I don’t really recall the exact words but it went something like that. I believe Lord that this theme and this whole camp was particularly targeted at certain youth for some reason. I felt that You were reminding me once again of the Word by David Wilkerson a few months ago entitled ‘A Cry without a Voice’. It was targeted at the youth. He said that there are many who are lost, struggling and crying out but there’s no voice mainly because no one is there to hear it. They would tell it to no one because their issues are too shameful to be even told to their pastors or parents.
I personally felt that You Lord had brought these young people to this camp for this very reason that is so that they find You, the only one who will hear their cries when there’s no one else. I truly believe that the last night we had, many had found You. I thank You Lord for Your perfect timing and Your ultimate patience with us, always waiting for that one moment where You will meet with us, just because You desire to, not so much of meeting our needs.
I thank You Lord for Your grace and Your mercy, for bringing all sorts of people into my life during this camp just to teach me patience and self-control. You truly work in ways that we don’t understand and contradicts human common sense. I thank You Lord for all the small little mundane things You’ve done in my life in this short period of time.
Even that night when we sang the song ‘This is my desire’, I was reminded of the revelation You gave me some time ago. I was debating whether to go out to share because I wasn’t really prepared and I was afraid that the Word would be too strong for many but You assured me that You would be by my side and speak for me. You Lord has truly been awesome. You never promise a smooth journey but You promised that You’ll be with us every step and that’s the greatest promise ever. Lord, continue to work ever so deeply and forbid that I ever picked up what I’ve laid at Your feet. Grant me the strength Lord.
I also want to thank You for opening my eyes to see something so amazing when we visited the disabled (ESDA). Even though they are disabled, their endless joy surpasses the joy we have in us. Their joy is simply amazing. We, who are so complete in every way still complain and mumble our dissatisfaction with the way we’re created. I guess I know why You sent me to the disabled home rather than the orphanage which I so badly wanted to go. Once again You’ve proven Yourself real and Your ways never fail to amaze me everytime. I guess many times I just need to open my spiritual eyes to see You more instead of focusing on my issues.
I really have to say that throughout this whole camp, I learnt a whole lot even in little dull things in life. And again I am really amaze that You cause me to come back a week earlier just so I could attend this camp. Before I came back, I really wanted to delay my return from Perth to a week later simply because my accommodation wasn’t settled yet but there was just something in me that kept on convincing me to go for this camp. Back in Perth, I really wanted to share about ‘Giving our all to God’ but I prayed that You opened the door. And yes You did open that door during the last night. So truly Lord, I’m still in awe at how perfect Your timing and ways are. I’ve not regretted one bit of coming back earlier to make it to this camp. There’s just so much to thank You for and these few pages will never be enough. Thank you Lord from the depth of my heart, thank you for everything.
I don’t really recall the exact words but it went something like that. I believe Lord that this theme and this whole camp was particularly targeted at certain youth for some reason. I felt that You were reminding me once again of the Word by David Wilkerson a few months ago entitled ‘A Cry without a Voice’. It was targeted at the youth. He said that there are many who are lost, struggling and crying out but there’s no voice mainly because no one is there to hear it. They would tell it to no one because their issues are too shameful to be even told to their pastors or parents.
I personally felt that You Lord had brought these young people to this camp for this very reason that is so that they find You, the only one who will hear their cries when there’s no one else. I truly believe that the last night we had, many had found You. I thank You Lord for Your perfect timing and Your ultimate patience with us, always waiting for that one moment where You will meet with us, just because You desire to, not so much of meeting our needs.
I thank You Lord for Your grace and Your mercy, for bringing all sorts of people into my life during this camp just to teach me patience and self-control. You truly work in ways that we don’t understand and contradicts human common sense. I thank You Lord for all the small little mundane things You’ve done in my life in this short period of time.
Even that night when we sang the song ‘This is my desire’, I was reminded of the revelation You gave me some time ago. I was debating whether to go out to share because I wasn’t really prepared and I was afraid that the Word would be too strong for many but You assured me that You would be by my side and speak for me. You Lord has truly been awesome. You never promise a smooth journey but You promised that You’ll be with us every step and that’s the greatest promise ever. Lord, continue to work ever so deeply and forbid that I ever picked up what I’ve laid at Your feet. Grant me the strength Lord.
I also want to thank You for opening my eyes to see something so amazing when we visited the disabled (ESDA). Even though they are disabled, their endless joy surpasses the joy we have in us. Their joy is simply amazing. We, who are so complete in every way still complain and mumble our dissatisfaction with the way we’re created. I guess I know why You sent me to the disabled home rather than the orphanage which I so badly wanted to go. Once again You’ve proven Yourself real and Your ways never fail to amaze me everytime. I guess many times I just need to open my spiritual eyes to see You more instead of focusing on my issues.
I really have to say that throughout this whole camp, I learnt a whole lot even in little dull things in life. And again I am really amaze that You cause me to come back a week earlier just so I could attend this camp. Before I came back, I really wanted to delay my return from Perth to a week later simply because my accommodation wasn’t settled yet but there was just something in me that kept on convincing me to go for this camp. Back in Perth, I really wanted to share about ‘Giving our all to God’ but I prayed that You opened the door. And yes You did open that door during the last night. So truly Lord, I’m still in awe at how perfect Your timing and ways are. I’ve not regretted one bit of coming back earlier to make it to this camp. There’s just so much to thank You for and these few pages will never be enough. Thank you Lord from the depth of my heart, thank you for everything.
Marcus - NewLife Cheras
The experience in Taiping is exciting. I get a whole new experience and be able to see life of abandoned orphans. I was so touched to see, even though they had no parents, they are still happy. They all act like one big happy family. This camp also gives me the experience of sleeping in a dorm. And so, as conclusion, this camp is enjoyable as we make other NLRC members.
Charmaine - New Life PJ
The most memorable item of this camp was the Get Real session, something very different from the stuff we’ve done in past camps. Yes, it is good to see that we are not alone in many instances. Also, maybe it was listening to instructions, maybe the prompting of the Spirit or maybe the desire to see a change in myself caused me to really share from the heart and I believe the same for everyone in my circle too. It was good and necessary realisation of the thing I hold dear to my heart and keep secrets of. I think some things I needed to hear myself say aloud. It was really a time of getting real with myself. Also, go to learn things about people I know, and admire their strength and character. Preparation for talent time also taught me lessons. Wonderful to see how every group member put their best foot forward despite being seemingly unparticipative at first. Pastor Ron’s sermon about knowing our identity in God was an assurance from God and the last night of worship was wonderful with the very tangible presence of God. Gathering together with cell members after that was good as we got to listen to everyone’s return to God, repentance, and how everyone realised that God’s real and of His unfailing love. Funny thing is, everyone was going through similar experiences and it was good to hear that whatever we did and went through were forgiven and God saw everything, yet continued and continues to love us. Learnt much from listening to members share. The whole cell group made a pact to re-commit ourselves to God and everyone agreed that it was a truly refreshing time. As far as getting real with God, ourselves and the people around us, we really did it here. Praise the Lord!
Su Jane - New Life Cheras
At my point of view, disabled people are scary and hard to control. But after visiting ESDA, this point of view totally changed. I couldn’t help being nervous the first time I stepped in ESDA. But after seeing the conditions of the disabled, I couldn’t help smiling. It strike me how those people survived through a whole lot of troubles but not complaining when the so-called ‘perfect’ me which has no mental or physical problems, complain about little little things I dislike. How blessed am I but still complain. I also learned sign language from them. Through this I also realised they know something more than us. Every person has a good side and a not so good side. I’ve learned how to not look down on others and be thankful for everything I had. Praise the Lord that gave me a ‘perfect’ body.
Li Ann - New Life PJ
My spiritual life was really dry the whole year. I was really encouraged when someone said it doesn’t have to be the end of the year when you connect to God but you can do it every single day. I have promised myself to connect to God every single day from now onwards. Besides that, we had fun doing the community projects. Just spreading joy and help to the kids made my day. Overall, this camp was good!
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