I was in the bus near Bukit Merah and I thought to myself: "What in God's name am I participating in some "youth retreat" camp costing as much as Tiger Wood's dignity organized by some church I rarely go to? What's worse, I barely know anyone there??!!"
Oh yeah, I and my BK classmates promised Joanne we will join the camp last year so....yeah, I DID forget why I went there in the first place. More so, I and Jo Lene were the only ones who followed Joanne there. Jonathan was working in Breeks, and Nathaniel is in Subang, or is it Petaling Jaya? Either way, all places in Selangor look and smell the same. =.=
Anyway, I was acquainted with Denise so it wasn't really that bad, and also Anne, who was a friend of Sook Koon. In the bus, I only talked with Jo Lene because I wasn't really acquainted with the others.
But after 4 days in Cheefoo ( The venue), things changed. Alot. There weren't many people who joined this retreat(think 19++) and it was very easy for us to communicate. They started talking to me, I started talking to them, somehow the barriers were broken.
Dr. Sam's sharing of the word was also something to look upon. He really brings a new dimension when it comes to sharing, he taught us songs before he starts preaching without fail, from the very hilarious (Ping Pong song XD) to the melodious (Dona Nobis Pacem) and many more.It does make you wonder, how shallow are the lyrcis in today's Christian Music compared to those found in Hymns, many which we the younger ones will never learn to embrace.
Aunt Valarie and Uncle Geam Liang was also very fun to talk with and share things with. They really know how to relate with Teenagers, and come out with some witty one-liners as well. I really can't imagine the Trinity Youth without them...haha...
I also like the whole program, which ironically doesn't really have much in it.XD Why? Well, this is the camp where we are not burdened with intense programs and scheduling,there's no need to start exactly by time or end by a certain time(though we usually abide by the rules when it comes to sleeping) and most of all, we have freetime!! Lot's of them. And to me, this epitomizes what a retreat is all about, we have the luxury to TRY* to learn how to maneuver a Rip-stick, play basketball, try out the cool playground(not the McD ones, thankfully) We even get to do Star-Gazing for one night and two comets pass us by!!
I can even play Football!! And better still, not by myself! Apparently there is also FGS Subang Jaya who were also sharing the place and well, someof the MYF-ers were quite intimidated by the sheer number of ppl (Me and Jo Lene, we're used to it =.=||) but once we get 2 know them, they are a bunch of friendly people. I even get to score a goal....since October. XDDDD
Of course, I didn't just sign up for this camp just for the fun of it(I did have lots of it), or to see pretty girls(Not alot, but still 'ada' XD) but more so to learn about God, without distractions from computers or people I know. Throughout the course, we are told that we are never to young to be a disciple, I couldn't agree more, cause even if you don't want to be want, God will put you in situations where you can't help but share a little bit of the Gospel or Christianity(It does happen, trust me.) There's is no way you can outsmart God.
But, God has a tender side to him too. One of my most significant event during the whole camp was when I prayed my whole heart out to God about every,everything. But as I was praying, suddenly I just can't speak, I have no idea what happened. I tried to utter a word, but I just can't move my lips, that's when God told me to not worry so much. I can feel that he was trying to calm me down and just showed me that he is my shepherd and that he cares for me. I was really comforted from that moment.
I have no regreats joining this camp, it's the camp where eveybody talks with everyone, and it's a rare sight for many camps I been too..... new friendships are forged, and somehow, I believe they will last than some I foolishly keep.
Right now, the guys are now spamming a photo on facebook. Right now there's about 117 comments, still a long way to beat my primary school photo(443+), ironically, I chose the Youth Retreat than the hotel-stay with my primary school. THANK GOD!!