Camp Faith was a MIRACLE!
I don't know how to start this post. While desperately trying to pen things down in an organized manner, I can't help but have these phrases running through my mind right now:
- I feel so spritually refreshed and rejuvenated.
- God has been so so real.
- God has moved the Frankelites and everyone who was there at the camp.
- I am totally wow-ed and in awe of how majestic God is.
- God can move indeed move the mountains.
- By faith, we have seen the hand of God.
- God has answered a prayer that I've been praying for years!
And these short phrases just keep flashing through my mind, and I want to pen all these down before a new day awakens. Every thought in my head is a beautiful mess right now, and I honestly don't know what I should write next. All of us (300+ campers) worshiping God together in one voice and spirit was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. As we formed a circle in the dark with a lighted candle in our hands, the atmosphere was just one filled with unity. As we cry out to God and thirst for Him, I can't help but to weep. The desire is so great and all of us knew, that God was present amongst us. So many faith encounters, so many thanksgiving - God is just so marvelous and too good to be true. Pastor Benny Ho's messages were extremely inspiring and there was so much that we have taken home from him. I can just go on and on, but really, each of us who have gone through Camp Faith has gone home different. We've been renewed, we've been changed, we've been refreshed. Our focus has been realigned with our eyes fixed on him and we know, that this race is not going to be easy. But we're going to end this race well as one body in Christ.
I could really go on with the details but I think, I would like to take this time to share my personal testimony in this space of mine, hoping that it would encourage the hearts of christians who have been praying for their family.
To start of with, this was my first church camp I've been. Sure, I've been to a young adults camp, youth camp and several JSS camps, but attending a church camp was my first and it is really the best camp I've ever been. There were so many things that I've learnt, many people that I've met and fellowship with and most importanly, many encounters with God. Having been recently baptized in BFEC, I felt that it was essential for me to attend this year's church camp (titled "Camp Faith") with the main purpose of really getting to know more Frankelites and to encounter God in an intimate manner. For those who may know, the past month was really tiring for me. I was desperately crying out to God to reveal His plan for me in my career and it was an exciting time as He unfolded His plan right before my eyes in His timing. I have actually went through my first resignation but before that liberation, it was a real tough struggle. I thank God that He provided (I will leave that to another post), and was really looking forward to this camp for spritual rejuvenation and refreshment as I felt I needed to spend time with Him.
Initially, I did not consider asking my parents to come for this camp until dear and his parents asked me. As I pondered, I just naturally felt that they would most probably be hesitant and cook up several excuses to not want to come. I was pretty sure that it's gonna be a "No" mainly because they do not really know anyone there except me, dear and his parents. And as my mum is not a believer and knowing her, she would definitely feel uncomfortable with all the expected sharing and group discussions. But the amazing thing was through a few conversations to persuade them to go and a final sms that I sent to confirm their attendance, they actually replied "Okay". I was really surprised and happy of course. That was the first sign of God's goodness! For one, I know one of the main reasons my dad agreed was because he wanted my mum to come to Christ. Nevertheless, I thank God for their decision and was exceptionally proud of my parents for taking that step of faith. Nearing the date of the camp, my parents especially my dad started to show signs of anxiousness. He felt really insecure not knowing the camp schedule / programme. I could not in any way find out for him because it will only be revealed on the first day of camp itself when the camp booklet gets distributed to all campers. I could only briefly tell him what to expect based on my previous camp experiences. As his anxiousness develops, I myself was getting a little worried for my parents. I had worried thoughts running through my head such as whether they would be sticking at one corner by themselves, whether they would want to be involved in the games, whether they would find the worship / sermons too radical etc etc. Eventually, my worries were really unfounded for. You will find out why as you read on. But I must thank God that the camp committee has put my parents in a different group from me, because that really made them come out of their comfort zone.
Finally when it was time to leave for camp, God was good and provided journey mercies to Pulai Springs without any traffic jam at the causeway. When we reached there, I was realy anxious to want to introduce people for them to meet and make friends with. God provided many Frankelites who really took the effort to talk to them and made them feel welcome - dear's parents, dear's auntie and uncles, my cell group leader, etc etc. It was just too many to name. Well, partly because I've been telling many people about them and have been garnering their prayers for my family. I thank God for each and everyone of them. Thank God that Auntie Wai Peng and Uncle Kheng Sin were in their group, because they really took good care of my parents during all the group activities. To my delight, my parents fit in to their group pretty well. Once in a while, I would glance over to take a peek at how they were doing. Seeing them getting their hands involved in the games and group discussions really warmed my heart greatly. Throughout the 4 days, dear and I tried not to stick with them too much - and allow them to expose themselves to other people. It was really comforting to see my parents coming out of their own realm of space, because it was then I began to clearly see God's hand working on them.
I was personally touched when one morning, Auntie Kate came to me and told me that she would like to give my parents a book that she wrote - a book containing her life stories and how God was there to provide for her each step of the way. She meant specially as an evangelistic tool for my mum and I was really touched by her kindess. To my surprise, that night, I saw my mum actually starting to read the book! Praise be to God! I pray that she will complete reading it and be blessed by it.
Although my parents perhaps felt uneasy when we were called to kneel before the Lord and to go to the front to receive prayers, I was still really really proud of them. Just as I thought that camp was just going to end after a short worship and prize presentation, there was a segment where campers were free to speak through the mike to share their thanksgiving. Elder Jimmy walked around and passed the mike to certain people and I was secretly hoping not to get the mike because I wasn't ready. After hearing several sharings, I thought this was just gonna be it...until Uncle Kheng Sin (my parent's group leader) stood up and asked Elder Jimmy to pass the mike to my dad to share because he's a first timer! At that moment, you should have seen me and dear's face. We were totally stunned and our jaw literally dropped as we stared into each other's faces. I suppose my dad's heart stopped momentarily as he looked nervous and unprepared. (or perhaps he was already planning something in his head as a backup plan, who knows?) At first, I had a slight feeling that perhaps he would decline speaking, but to my another surprise, he held the mike and stood up to speak! My heart practically stopped to listen what he was going to say. I just felt lost in space during that minute. My dad actually shared about how it was me and my persuassive power that got him and my mum to come for this camp. He continued to go on about how he initially was hesitant cos he didn't really know anyone else but at the end of it all, he felt happy that he came because he felt so welcomed here. Albeit simple, it was really heartwarming. This is the first time I've ever seen my dad share something so personal in a crowd (a big crowd), and I was literally holding back on my tears. It was really tears of joy within. At that instant, I knew something has clicked in my dad's heart through this camp. Something has moved him and he's not going to go home the same as before. He's a changed man. A man, renewed of his faith. Hallelujah! When camp broke, the next thing that happened was Uncle Kheng Sin asking my dad and mum to join for his cell group. As far as I know, they have agreed to go and give it a shot. This was my prayer for my dad all these while, can u imagine? I have been praying so hard that he would join a cell group, to fellowship with his fellow brothers and sisters, and slowly serve God in ministry. GOD HAS ANSWERED MY PRAYER after many years! All praise goes to Him. Dear was so touched by it that he teared immediately after my dad's sharing. It was just so moving. I really don't know how else to describe this incredible feeling. My heart just felt so warm.
Pardon me for my poor sentence structure, grammar and vocabulary but I pray that my sharing of how God has answered my prayer will be an encouragement to others. Although my prayer for my mum has not yet been answered, I believe He who has began the good work will see it to completion. By faith, God will move the mountains.
I've encountered God through Camp Faith and it was beautiful to have encountered it with dear. We had not only an intimate time with God, but we had intimate fellowship, worship and sharing together with our Saviour. We cried out together as one, prayed together as one, danced together as one, rejoiced together as one. This camp has truly brought us even closer than before because we've both held on to God (our centerpiece) even tighter.
I've seen His hand in my life and I've heard Him speak to me throughout the 4 days. "Be Bold for Me" was what I believe God wants me to do. Fear has always been my foothold and it's time I resurrect this fear unto God. May God continue to do His work in me, and may I continue to run this race well for Him.
We've all been blessed by this wonderful worship song "By Faith" during the camp. Even my parents enjoyed it so much :). So, I would like to share the lyrics with you here and hope you'll be blessed by it too.
I give thanks to God for He is good. There is really no one else like Him.
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