Camp
Tuesday, June 13
After an entire long week of camp and holiday, it has finally come to a stop! Life's back to normal now; training and homework. I throroughly enjoyed the week of rest and fun, and it has definitely refreshed my spirit tremedously. But now, here I am... back down in the "valley", seeking grace that I may be able to be a shinning light placed on a hill, that others may see and glorify my Father in heaven.
It all started on 4th June 2006, Sunday where my brother and I travelled up in my uncle's car to Malacca, Watercity Resort for our Annual June Camp. Camp lasted until 9th June. So it was a 6 day 5 night camp in Malacca. The next day after returning to Singapore, we were off to Banyan Tree Resort, Bintan for our Aunt's wedding, and we only returned last night, 12th June. Both trips were pretty special in their own way and I enjoyed both trips very much.
Well, now that I've had my share of fun, and slacked long enough, I better be off to work and really strive hard for the remainding days of the holidays. Two weeks of them literally flew past me and, really I'm left with only two weeks! Help! Haha.. Though its gonna be tough to suddenly return back to the "serious" mood of studying and training, gonna need so much grace and strength and perserverance, I really need to strive hard, for the glory of the Lord. I havent started on any work yet! Ahhh! Well.. I'll do my best I guess.
So.. Maybe you're interested how my exciting week went past? I'll sure be glad to tell you but its gonna take like ages. I guess I'll skim through and relate more interesting stuff, yeah. This year's June Camp was different from the last two I went before. One in Awana, the other at some beach resort. This year was much more... packed and noisy. Well, the environment in the end was not as bad as I thought it to be, because the pop music didnt exactly blast into our rooms and I thought I could have had much quietness in the apartment if I wanted to. Unfortunately I have to confess it wasn't on my priority list. Well.. as I said, its really different because it felt as if it was a "family and friends camp" instead of a "church camp". Haha, if you get what I mean. Most of my time spent were hanging out with friends, and relatives instead of really getting down to spend quality time with God. Except for my daily quiet time, and services conducted through the camp, there was not much extra time devoted to reflection and reading. I cannot express how much I regret not blocking out time to spend with the Lord during the day. And I have to confess my desire to have fun and all. Nonetheless, I thank the Lord for speaking to me and encouraging me greatly through His Word during the course of the camp. Precious time spent reading His word and studying His word through the service blessed me. There wasnt a particular message which spoke to my heart but it was the example and life of Joseph, I mean the work and hand of the Lord in Joseph's life which actually made a lasting impression on my heart. A truth I grasped and hold dear to my heart is that having the Spirit of God meant that we could rise above our circumstances and be able to do right, and give thanks unto God no matter what befalls us. And through the life of Joseph, God showed me it is possible. Another truth that kept ringing in my mind was the fact that whatever befell us, be it a trial or temptation, it truly works altogether for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose! (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20) It encouraged me greatly as I sought the Lord for direction and will for my life in the days ahead. The songs blessed my heart too, items by the choir and songs like "A Resting Place", "I Give You My Heart". Well.. it was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship I guess. It definitely would have been sweeter and much blessed if I had not given up time that could be spent with the Lord to games and fun. I know I came with a heard that both sought for fun and sought the Lord. Unfortunately, unless I sought Him with all my heart (Jeremiah 29:13) I wouldnt find Him! Yet I cannot express how thankful I am to God for the time I could spent with His people. I really thank many people who took great care of me during the course of camp, especially my Uncle and Cousins. Thanks a bunch, cousins! It was nice spending the evening at supper with you guys day after day, I missed those moments. Well, it was certainly fun playing soccer almost every single day during camp, and getting my feet injured over and over again. I'm quite amused by the thought of people seeing me limping to and fro daily, yet seeing me running about in the court at the same time. Haha, I guessed nothing stopped me from having fun, not even injuries eh? Haha. Well.. I hope through camp, friendships are renewed and its defintiely exciting to be growing together with people you enjoy to be with and love. Yet I know all went according to the wonderful plan of our Gracious Lord and He was in control through the camp. I guess most of us learnt in some way or another that we are complain Kings and Queens, and we certainly are not like Paul when he said, "I've learnt in whatsoever state I am to be, content" We certainly are not like David when he said, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want"! Nor are we like the Hebrew author when he said, "Let your conduct be without covetousness" Haha. I know because the minute I reached the resort my heart complained within me.. Ohwells, so much for that, but through the course of camp, and by God's revelation to us through the life of Joseph, I guess many learnt to trust God and give thanks whatever, He, according to His good pleasure, has caused to befall us. Through camp, I've certainly by His grace, refocused and refreshed myself so that I may press on and march on as a good faithful soldier of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Camp's over.. But the Lord certainly has not left us. If Joesph, even in exile and in prison could tap upon God's presence and grace, to do right and be content, let us by God's grace do so!
The 3 days 2 nights trip to Bintan was certainly an eye-opening experience for me. It was definitely our first time staying at a Banyan Tree resort and this first experience was sweet. Well, with pros definitely come along cons. So, the moment we reached the resort, I was like.. "Oh my goodness" Cause it was really nice laa. Firstly the whole setting and environment was shiok, cause there were like entire villas for ourselves and the resort was situated close to sea and nature was simply next door, with trees sheltering every step we took. Okay within the villa, we had a jacuzzi and a deck to ourselves, then the villa was like batik kinda setting, haha, was quite shiok. And each villa roomed two person only. So.. it was like the whole place to ourselves. Then we didnt have to walk around to visit others in different villas, we called "bugey"s as in the golf type of cars which ferried us around. Okay, the service there was like super good laa. Hey, I was like thinking back at the campsite resort service and Im like.. "okay?" But nahh, I'm not comparing the trips because I valued the experience at camp much more than anything else k. I'm comparing resorts! Haha. So I guess for those who didnt enjoy a good run around the resort, they possibly took just a few steps out of their villas for the entire stay, for the the "bugeys" ferried up from door-step to door-step. I think the entire resort was super posche and the service was like.. everything you want would be there with a snap of your fingers or something. I particularly enjoyed the setting because the villas were all surrounded by trees and nature, and the sea was just below the cliffs or something. Anyway it was really tempting because I was like almost indulging in such kind of luxurious lifestyle. I almsot coveted for it. But it came across my mind that as much as I am thoroughly grateful for the goodness of the Lord for bestowing such an experience for me, I know I could not have such a lifestyle, but had to be simple and contented. The verse which came to my mind was "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can bring nothing out.... For those who desire to be rich fall into a snare.." Guess I have to learn to be content with whatever God gives, be it a comfortable lifestyle or even a not so comfortable one. I literally stopped thinking of the things that I am enjoying and reminded myself that such a place of stillness and quietness I cannot find in the city, its best I could spend some time with the Lord. And I sure enjoyed it. Everything was slow paced there, slept early, woke up late, kept on eating and eating relax, slack. Everything I could have desired, but that aint reality I guess. The first night there we had barbeque dinner at my Aunt's villa. It was super big la, its like those you see in the advertisment. Those with a swimming pool in the middle, leading to the sea two villas surrounding it. Ok la, shouldnt talk about the food too much but it was great. Juss that I fed myself with the unlimited supply of honeydew juice. haha, it was real nice. Then Sunday was my Aunt's wedding ceremony. It was a wedding by the sea. Haha, and it was like in the golf course, a place by the sea and beach. It was super nice la, like those seen in those romantic shows. It was quite romantic I guess. Then we had a beautiful sunset to accompany all the nice arrangement. The dinner was also by the sea, in the dark! no la, candle lit, almost in darkness laa. Oh.. and the thing I enjoyed most was the chocolate burrelle, it was melted chocolate! And I ate until I felt really nauseas. Haha. On monday morning, we visited the beach after the weather appeared to be bright and shinny, and we actually went "fishing" in the sea. The beach and seas was really beautiful. The sea was clear and blue and we were literally fishing with out hands amongst some rocks near the coast. Okay I must say I really really thank God for such a wonderful enriching experience, jus that I do not want to covet for this kind of luxurious lifestyle too. I don't mind having my wedding there tho.. Haha, but everything cost a bomb la there. Seriously. A packet of peanuts cost US$3.5, haha. Then our barbeque dinner per person was US$55. Haha! The best part is that the villa we stayed in, not the one with the swimming pool, but the jacuzzi one cost US$320 per night. Haha! Okay, the price was really madness laa. I think I wont visit there unless for any special occassion la!
It all started on 4th June 2006, Sunday where my brother and I travelled up in my uncle's car to Malacca, Watercity Resort for our Annual June Camp. Camp lasted until 9th June. So it was a 6 day 5 night camp in Malacca. The next day after returning to Singapore, we were off to Banyan Tree Resort, Bintan for our Aunt's wedding, and we only returned last night, 12th June. Both trips were pretty special in their own way and I enjoyed both trips very much.
Well, now that I've had my share of fun, and slacked long enough, I better be off to work and really strive hard for the remainding days of the holidays. Two weeks of them literally flew past me and, really I'm left with only two weeks! Help! Haha.. Though its gonna be tough to suddenly return back to the "serious" mood of studying and training, gonna need so much grace and strength and perserverance, I really need to strive hard, for the glory of the Lord. I havent started on any work yet! Ahhh! Well.. I'll do my best I guess.
So.. Maybe you're interested how my exciting week went past? I'll sure be glad to tell you but its gonna take like ages. I guess I'll skim through and relate more interesting stuff, yeah. This year's June Camp was different from the last two I went before. One in Awana, the other at some beach resort. This year was much more... packed and noisy. Well, the environment in the end was not as bad as I thought it to be, because the pop music didnt exactly blast into our rooms and I thought I could have had much quietness in the apartment if I wanted to. Unfortunately I have to confess it wasn't on my priority list. Well.. as I said, its really different because it felt as if it was a "family and friends camp" instead of a "church camp". Haha, if you get what I mean. Most of my time spent were hanging out with friends, and relatives instead of really getting down to spend quality time with God. Except for my daily quiet time, and services conducted through the camp, there was not much extra time devoted to reflection and reading. I cannot express how much I regret not blocking out time to spend with the Lord during the day. And I have to confess my desire to have fun and all. Nonetheless, I thank the Lord for speaking to me and encouraging me greatly through His Word during the course of the camp. Precious time spent reading His word and studying His word through the service blessed me. There wasnt a particular message which spoke to my heart but it was the example and life of Joseph, I mean the work and hand of the Lord in Joseph's life which actually made a lasting impression on my heart. A truth I grasped and hold dear to my heart is that having the Spirit of God meant that we could rise above our circumstances and be able to do right, and give thanks unto God no matter what befalls us. And through the life of Joseph, God showed me it is possible. Another truth that kept ringing in my mind was the fact that whatever befell us, be it a trial or temptation, it truly works altogether for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose! (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20) It encouraged me greatly as I sought the Lord for direction and will for my life in the days ahead. The songs blessed my heart too, items by the choir and songs like "A Resting Place", "I Give You My Heart". Well.. it was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship I guess. It definitely would have been sweeter and much blessed if I had not given up time that could be spent with the Lord to games and fun. I know I came with a heard that both sought for fun and sought the Lord. Unfortunately, unless I sought Him with all my heart (Jeremiah 29:13) I wouldnt find Him! Yet I cannot express how thankful I am to God for the time I could spent with His people. I really thank many people who took great care of me during the course of camp, especially my Uncle and Cousins. Thanks a bunch, cousins! It was nice spending the evening at supper with you guys day after day, I missed those moments. Well, it was certainly fun playing soccer almost every single day during camp, and getting my feet injured over and over again. I'm quite amused by the thought of people seeing me limping to and fro daily, yet seeing me running about in the court at the same time. Haha, I guessed nothing stopped me from having fun, not even injuries eh? Haha. Well.. I hope through camp, friendships are renewed and its defintiely exciting to be growing together with people you enjoy to be with and love. Yet I know all went according to the wonderful plan of our Gracious Lord and He was in control through the camp. I guess most of us learnt in some way or another that we are complain Kings and Queens, and we certainly are not like Paul when he said, "I've learnt in whatsoever state I am to be, content" We certainly are not like David when he said, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want"! Nor are we like the Hebrew author when he said, "Let your conduct be without covetousness" Haha. I know because the minute I reached the resort my heart complained within me.. Ohwells, so much for that, but through the course of camp, and by God's revelation to us through the life of Joseph, I guess many learnt to trust God and give thanks whatever, He, according to His good pleasure, has caused to befall us. Through camp, I've certainly by His grace, refocused and refreshed myself so that I may press on and march on as a good faithful soldier of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Camp's over.. But the Lord certainly has not left us. If Joesph, even in exile and in prison could tap upon God's presence and grace, to do right and be content, let us by God's grace do so!
The 3 days 2 nights trip to Bintan was certainly an eye-opening experience for me. It was definitely our first time staying at a Banyan Tree resort and this first experience was sweet. Well, with pros definitely come along cons. So, the moment we reached the resort, I was like.. "Oh my goodness" Cause it was really nice laa. Firstly the whole setting and environment was shiok, cause there were like entire villas for ourselves and the resort was situated close to sea and nature was simply next door, with trees sheltering every step we took. Okay within the villa, we had a jacuzzi and a deck to ourselves, then the villa was like batik kinda setting, haha, was quite shiok. And each villa roomed two person only. So.. it was like the whole place to ourselves. Then we didnt have to walk around to visit others in different villas, we called "bugey"s as in the golf type of cars which ferried us around. Okay, the service there was like super good laa. Hey, I was like thinking back at the campsite resort service and Im like.. "okay?" But nahh, I'm not comparing the trips because I valued the experience at camp much more than anything else k. I'm comparing resorts! Haha. So I guess for those who didnt enjoy a good run around the resort, they possibly took just a few steps out of their villas for the entire stay, for the the "bugeys" ferried up from door-step to door-step. I think the entire resort was super posche and the service was like.. everything you want would be there with a snap of your fingers or something. I particularly enjoyed the setting because the villas were all surrounded by trees and nature, and the sea was just below the cliffs or something. Anyway it was really tempting because I was like almost indulging in such kind of luxurious lifestyle. I almsot coveted for it. But it came across my mind that as much as I am thoroughly grateful for the goodness of the Lord for bestowing such an experience for me, I know I could not have such a lifestyle, but had to be simple and contented. The verse which came to my mind was "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can bring nothing out.... For those who desire to be rich fall into a snare.." Guess I have to learn to be content with whatever God gives, be it a comfortable lifestyle or even a not so comfortable one. I literally stopped thinking of the things that I am enjoying and reminded myself that such a place of stillness and quietness I cannot find in the city, its best I could spend some time with the Lord. And I sure enjoyed it. Everything was slow paced there, slept early, woke up late, kept on eating and eating relax, slack. Everything I could have desired, but that aint reality I guess. The first night there we had barbeque dinner at my Aunt's villa. It was super big la, its like those you see in the advertisment. Those with a swimming pool in the middle, leading to the sea two villas surrounding it. Ok la, shouldnt talk about the food too much but it was great. Juss that I fed myself with the unlimited supply of honeydew juice. haha, it was real nice. Then Sunday was my Aunt's wedding ceremony. It was a wedding by the sea. Haha, and it was like in the golf course, a place by the sea and beach. It was super nice la, like those seen in those romantic shows. It was quite romantic I guess. Then we had a beautiful sunset to accompany all the nice arrangement. The dinner was also by the sea, in the dark! no la, candle lit, almost in darkness laa. Oh.. and the thing I enjoyed most was the chocolate burrelle, it was melted chocolate! And I ate until I felt really nauseas. Haha. On monday morning, we visited the beach after the weather appeared to be bright and shinny, and we actually went "fishing" in the sea. The beach and seas was really beautiful. The sea was clear and blue and we were literally fishing with out hands amongst some rocks near the coast. Okay I must say I really really thank God for such a wonderful enriching experience, jus that I do not want to covet for this kind of luxurious lifestyle too. I don't mind having my wedding there tho.. Haha, but everything cost a bomb la there. Seriously. A packet of peanuts cost US$3.5, haha. Then our barbeque dinner per person was US$55. Haha! The best part is that the villa we stayed in, not the one with the swimming pool, but the jacuzzi one cost US$320 per night. Haha! Okay, the price was really madness laa. I think I wont visit there unless for any special occassion la!
This is the library and the reception area.
Oh thats a jacuzzi and the deck outside the room.
I thought this bed is super nice, yeah?
This was the 2 villas with swimming pool I was talking about, we had our barbeque dinner here.
Haha, the scrumptous barbeque buffet dinner.
This is my cute cousin, Emily
Haha, this one is my intellectual cousin Natalie
The sisters (:
The buggy ride I was talkinga bout
The wedding was held here, see, nice right? Haha
This was were the dinner was held but only in e darkness..
Well.. the thing I've been doing for the whole week is... EATING! Haha, I've actually been eating non-stop for the past week and its not exaclty the healthy kind. I'm actually quite stuffed and feeling quite unhealthy. Now its back to training before my belly actually starts coming out! Haha.. Takecare guys.
