What the Camp is All About …

by Selma & Julius

Months before the camp prayers are uttered for we believe that in his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps (Prov. 16:9).

List of young people to join, list of people to approach for prayer and support and list of activities to do in preparation for the coming event was done. Meeting for finality of every bit and pieces of the plan. Yes or no, di pa me sure. Ok or not, di me alam. Finish or undone, pd na cguro. Let’s go! W8 lang…

Then finally all is set. We would like to say to all who supported us, “Ang pagtulong ninyong ito sa amin ay hindi lamang makatutugon sa aming pangangailangan kundi magiging dahilan pa ng walang hanggang pagpapasalamat namin sa Diyos. vAng bukas-palad ninyong pagbibigay ay magpapatunay sa amin na matapat ninyong tinatalima ang Mabuting Balita ni Cristo. Dahil diyan, magpupuri kami sa Diyos. vKaya’t buong pagmamahal namin kayong idadalangin, dahil sa dakilang kaloob ng Diyos sa inyo. Salamat sa Diyos dahil sa kaloob niyang walang kapantay!”(2 Cor. 9:12-15). I believe that this ministry is made possible because of the cooperative effort of the church.

The camps objective is to prepare and equip the youth to be leaders, leading like Jesus. To train and enhance their gifts by offering different workshops – ministry.com, writing, art of story telling, organizing concerts and speech power. Many had the opportunity to listen to the testimony of Kuya Jeff a missionary. Indeed the Lord’s hand is moving in Asia and the truth and the reality of the vision that Filipinos are the next generation of missionaries is coming to pass. I am thrilled to witness that most of our YP made a commitment to GO!

But I think the camp from the day it was conceived until this very moment is all about God building a Christ like character in each one. Breaking the wall of indifference and building a bridge of unconditional acceptance. In a simple cooperation and pakikisama ; In laughing at the “corny” jokes; In coping-up of the ka-artihan ng iba. In being patient sa mga tantrums ng mga kasama. In understanding na may sariling mundo ang ilan. In controlling your temper dahil di maiiwasan na may pasaway. In digging your mind dahil sa “intellect” ng iba (feeling). Kahit alam na ang text ay relationship killer pero pwedeng-pwede gamiting relationship enhancer.Encouraging to do better for the best. Kahit may nagkalat meron namang handing magpulot at magligpit ng kalat (literally & figuratively). In taking time to listen sa mga heart warming and heart breaking experiences ng tropa. In living up with the weaknesses and filling-in the shortcomings ng kasama . Building team spirit sa kasama sa team specially sa mga ka tropa sa church. …In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, …agree with one another …and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Cor. 1:10).

And about renewing of the mind and the commitment each camper will make. After the symbolic burning of the past inadequacies and starting anew from the heap of ashes in the bonfire. Commitment is not the outpouring of emotion or shedding of tears that move one to make a promise. It’s not only something that kindles one’s interest because you will only do your commitment when you are available. Nawa masabi ng lahat gaya ni Apostol Pablo, “vAng tanging hangarin ko ngayon ay lubusang makilala si Cristo, maranasan ang kapangyarihan ng kanyang pagkabuhay na mag-uli, makihati sa kanyang mga hirap, at matulad sa kanya—pati sa kanyang kamatayan—“ (Phil 3:10).