Since i am pressured to post on the youth camp i will post my reflections up here.
These are my reflections on the youth camp, It's my personal thoughts,
feelings, developments and inspirations. Please read it clearly. Personally,
I thought the youth camp would be all fun, games, all that nonsense that
teenagers usually do such as sports and really funny games. I was instead,
greeted by much more than i expected. The youth camp presented to me an
amazing spectrum of incredible of things, ranging from the incredible and
extremely impactful night services, to the fun stuff like the amazing race.
I shall start my reflection on the sermons first.
What i feel about the first sermon is that it reminds me of my place, who i
am, what i should do, and what i am looking for in life. It's like a
reminder from god to remember my place and look back on what i've done. The
sermon told us to build our own altars for ourselves so in case a friend or
a leader backslides, we will be still on fire for god and we will worship
him no matter what. I intepret that as a reminder for me to be loyal. I can
see why this needs to be mentioned; Some youths in singapore have problems
with these sort of things. Take for instance, the everyday schoolchild.
Although their main purpose in school is to study and learn, their top
priorities are replaced with entertainment and stress-relieving objects such
as the television and the personal computer. The child's mind slowly begins
to dislike school because they have to attend school every day and they
would rather spend time at home with entertainment all around them. The same
applies for the everyday young & growing christian; Although our main
priority is The Father, The Son, And The Holy Ghost, we seem to place things
such as friends, entertainment, sometimes even work and co-curricular
activites in front of him unconciously. Sometimes, these things even turn
our minds against The Holy Trinity. Therefore this switching of priorities
and wrong thinking results in backsliding, and there is an obvious risk of
the backslider influencing the other members of the church who like to hang
around, admire, or look up to the person to backslide as well. So overall,
the purpose of the sermon and it's main goal has persuaded me to make a
change and reconfirm my actions in serving the Holy Trinity. I have decided
to make time for church and cancel out all other activities in the way. I
have also decided to make it a commitment to build my own altar and do the
regular things a christian would do; Quiet time, Prayer, Meditation,
Contemplation, Reading of the Holy Bible, and last but not least, Worship.
This sermon has also inspired me to put the same thing in my co-curricular
activities, school, and in my daily life. In short: The sermon has taught me
to build my own altar, and live my life being loyal to the things i have
come to admire and love no matter what others do, think, feel, or percieve.
The second sermon has impacted me just as strongly. Pastor used the imagery
of the surfing culture, and the waves as a comparison to what the church is
about to become and what the church is attempting to create in it's youths.
It has really inspired me to do many things; Firstly to put faith in the
things i am not strong at. I admire the guy who came up to stage because he
felt like he was a good singer, but wasn't really good in controlling his
voice. I salute him because he is not afraid to do the things he wants to
do, although others may laugh at him. I also was inspired to put my faith in
my weaknesses by the masses who emerged from the audience on pastor's call
to those who feel that they would like to be leaders in church. They are not
afraid, and for that i really, truly admire their mindset and their
boldness. Secondly, It has inspired me to lead. I have done a terrible job
in leading people in school, and i will make an effort to do it again. This
time however, i shall make a difference and really come into the lives of
the juniors i will be teaching, inspire them, give them dreams, hopes and
visions, like Lynette has done, and so has the Pastors. I have been also
inspired to serve in church. Although i fear that it will affect my studies,
I have made a commitment to place god in front of everything, and i will try
with every fiber in my body to make time for that. Thirdly, It has inspired
me to write for god. During prayer, god gave me a glimpse into the future. I
had a vision of myself leading a group of not ten or twently, but a few
hundred of the new wave Pastor talked about. I saw myself speaking in front
of a crowd of people in the art gallery and i could see their faces, all
looking up to me and beaming, their minds riddled with the bullets of
inspiration and admiration, and above all, I could see thier souls burning
brighter for the glory of god. I also had another vision of myself in
africa, helping the people as a missionary. I helped this african lady and
her family up, and i remember and i saw myself pressing the Holy bible and a
crucifix necklace into her hands. All in all, these visions, inspirations
and dreams have impacted me deeply, and have made me move to a better
future.
This is about all i have to say about the two sermons. I shall now elaborate
my feelings on the youth camp itself. The youth camp i have to say, has
changed my life. I have a new best friend Aaron Lee, (Lynette's request.) I
have met new brothers and sisters in Christ, and have gotten to know each
and every one of them in different ways; personality, character, mindset,
past, and present. I have also gained new skills and habits, as well as
learnt a few good lessons such as the importance of bathing, why we must do
things ourselves, and why wearing a singlet & shorts to sleep in an air con
room is nasal suicide. As for the activities, it was just pure fun. I had a
great time with the combined team, Vision 3:16 during the amazing race
around Singapore. I had fun making up the cheers and helping the team out,
stealing people's flags and seeing people get splashed and get smeared with
toothpaste the last night of the camp. I would have to say that the camp
passed by a little to fast and that it was a little tiring at times. But
still, it as an exellent and enriching exprerience, and i loved it to the
core. I would like to say as well, i cannot wait for the next youth camp,
and i would do anything in the world to be able to attend it.
This is all I have to say. I will be expanding on it, but in the meantime please read through it, and if possible give me some comments.
Thanks.
-Bill.