Camp Reflections

My family had the privilege of heading back to Vietnam, for the Bible Club camp "High Seas Adventure" held in DongNai, Vietnam.

It was a year of Firsts, in many ways: first time for my youngest son to join the sleepover camp (finally old enough!); first time for my son to be involved as a Junior Counselor (big praise point, more later); first year I got involved in the camp music, first year I got "dragged" into doing a solo *cringe*; first time I got to be camp photographer!; first time I used a video cam; first time I "got out" of being a counselor (or so I thought.... more on this later); and first time giving a bible talk.

Wife and CH flew to Singapore on Wed, 16 Nov, to do a Visa run; then met us in HCMC on Thur 17 Nov. Our flight (direct from JKT to HCMC), was delayed for about 4 hours, so ended up arriving only midnight. Curt's driver, fortunately was still there waiting, and drove us to DongNai, reaching the campsite @ Green Club resort at 1am or so.

Friday morning, we're up! Having a look at the resort, it's a fairly typical Vietnamese resort, 2 star? - but quite a nice place, with lots of matured trees, large grounds. Only about half of the kids are there (they came up on Thur), the other half will be arrive after their school ends, Friday afternoon.

It's quite nice to see many old familiar faces, and get to meet a few new ones too! I was surprised that Curt stepped up, and became Captain Curt throughout the whole camp. He was THE MAN, taking charge of the kids - and he did a great job! It was also so nice to see the Vaughns both attend, stepping up to be counselors. *big thumbs up*

We all settle in, and I get started happily snapping away. I do note that one of the boys' group had Janell as a counselor. We normally have only male counselors for boys' groups; and female counselors for girls' groups. I decided to give being a counselor a break this year, indulge in my new hobby (photography), volunteered to do a bible talk, got roped in by my wife to play keyboard and even do a solo.... which I was not at all comfortable with. Anyway, I felt a little bad, that Janell had to stand in, since there weren't enough guys - but I couldn't be there on Thursday anyway, and what's done is done :)

Unfortunately, in the afternoon, we hear that one of the camp counselor's wife was ill, and had to be rushed to the doctor. I was asked whether I could stand in as counselor - and I just couldn't say no. There was no one else - So I did. God sure has a sense of humor - he let me think I could get away from being a counselor :)

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps

Well, I had 3 kids (JuHa, Matthieu, SungJun), and a very matured Junior Counselor Jonathan. They were a great bunch, and the "easiest" kids to manage compared to the past 3 years. Thankfully, I also had Jonathan to help me, coz I was running around quite a lot, doing music practice, practice my solo item, take photographs, take videos - we were a great team - and I was very blessed.

I focused a lot on the "Counsel" times, and was thankful to know that my kids were all saved, and sure of their own salvation!

It was my son's first time as a Junior Counselor too, and I am thankful for his willingness to step up, and serve God. It was important part of his spiritual growing up too - no longer one of the campers, but have to be a responsible Junior Counselor. I think having one of his closest church friend in the group (Garett) was an adjustment 1st day, but he handled it well.

I love this  picture (right). My dearest DY, stood up at the top of the slide for ages! Finally, she managed to go down once with Katherine, and after that - there was no stopping her!


An interesting change for camp was, everyone had to do their own dishes! And I was most impressed that my dear DY, decided to help people out with the dishes, on a few occasions, on her own accord.

I love how God is sovereign. I chose a passage, that was about God being life changing. But somehow, a week before camp, there was a miscom, and I was to do another passage instead - and I really felt like backing out. I like teaching adults, but wasn't so sure about "entertaining" kids. After spending time on the new passage, I realized that it was much more "suited" for me - Acts 28:1-10 on how Paul survived a snake bite. I did the boring powerpoint presentation, but picked more interesting pictures to tell my story. I also ended off challenging the kids about trusting in God's promises (John 3:36) - both in terms of our own salvation (John 3:36), as well as to challenge them to live out what Jesus says (Matt 5:44 on loving our enemies).

We got 2 musicians from the Filipino church, plus 2 more from the Vietnamese church we partner with, and the music was actually very good! Thankfully, so I only played when "necessary" or was free. Wouldn't have made a difference, really.... But I manage to get one of the Vietnamese (actually playing the drums), to play the guitar for me, for my solo. MUCH better, I hate playing and singing. He was very good, picked up fast - I couldn't have done it by myself.





See the girl in the middle? She's Natalia - and completely visually handicapped. But she loves to sing, and music, and apparently plays the piano. She did this solo item, and I played the piano, and whilst trying to learn the song, she remarked loudly: "You gotta keep up Dude!!!!" What a spunky little girl, with a big personality. Hearing her sing, was definitely one of the highlights. Wow.

We ended, like past years, with altar call. Seeing these kids accept Jesus in their lives, such a momentous life changing event, was indeed a privilege. This is what it is all about, starting our lives in Christ, growing in Christ, and finishing with Christ - it makes it all worth while, for my whole family to fly in, just for that, and to catch up with our spiritual family.

 John 3:36  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

 The highlights of the camp?  In no particular order:
1.Being the camp photographer!
2.Serving God, even though at times I didn't want to. It always pays off!
3.The solo acts were great: my wife has the loveliest voice; Katherine and Natalia's items, melted everyone's hearts.
4.Seeing my oldest Son serve God
5.Catching up with friends
6.Teaching my group about Jesus, we had some really meaningful conversations.
7.Food! Food was great. Never ate so much breakfast.
8.I didn't get trampled by any animals.... 

Church Hunting

I've never really had to "church" hunt.

I started off in Zion BP @ Serangoon Gardens, because that was the kindergarten I attended.
When I was in Australia, after falling away for many years, I decided to start afresh - and get started in a church. My flatmate, was a follower of The Way, and I just followed him, which ended up being Unichurch - which was where I finally "got it", and followed Jesus for real.

Unichurch had strong links with ARPC in Singapore, so it seemed a natural choice to settle there - where I've adopted as my home church since.
Going to Makassar, attending ICF was a no brainer, it being the only English speaking service around.
In Vietnam, there was a fellowship meeting in the same district which I stayed, and also recommended by a friend.

Coming here to Jakarta, it's different.
I asked a pastor friend from Australia, and he recommended 3! which is like 2 more than what I'm used to...

Church #1 was part of a large Indonesian church. Congregation of about 50. The only issue was that they didn't have any children's church in English.

Church #2 was a large International fellowship right smack in town. Distance wise, was probably the closest to my home. They were a polished bunch of folks, music was great, established children's chuch - mix of expats and Indonesians were about half. The 2 messages I heard, was good - sound, scriptural.

Church #3 was a church plant of #2. We loved the smallness of the group, very casual/cosy - everyone sits around tables, with coffee in the middle! We went about 3 times, and found that the teaching wasn't quite all that strong. And whilst it is "only" 20 km from my house - getting there on a Saturday was between 45min to 100min - each way. Also, despite the smallness of the group, I found it hard to connect with others there. I think my family liked this the best, but I struggled.

Church #4 was also a fairly large mixed congregation. A little more traditional. They spent the first 10-15min of the service, explaining from scripture, on why they were making a major shift in their "policy". I was very impressed! The message was also very sound, exegetical - I think the strongest in the lot. The only issue was, their Sunday school was held in the morning before service. During service, only our youngest had a separate class - so my older 2 had to sit through the whole service. This isn't altogether bad, it's been a model I flirted with, when we were in Vietnam. But it would also mean a very long Sunday morning for the family.

Church #5 was very close to church #3. But going on a Sunday, took less than half hour each way. We got to know a couple, through mutual friends. So we met them there. First week, wasn't very representative, it was a school holiday, so congregation was smaller, main pastor away, and had sort of a family service - which was like a big Sunday school class. Second week, was back to normal. It's a smallish congregation, and service is more "high", besides the catholic services I attended in school as a kid, this has been the most liturgical service I've been in 20 years. I know the background of the main pastor, since he's from the same theological school linked with the church I attended when I became a Christian. So preaching was sound. The main difference was, the people were just really friendly! Both weeks, we had people coming up to us, to have a chat. We've had people inviting us to their homes. People hung around after service, chit chat over coffee and cakes, then went out for lunch.


It's been a 2 month journey of search. I've pretty much visited the churches I wanted to visit, and needed to make a decision pretty soon, so that we can settle in quickly. And after much thought and prayer, this is what I think is most important for me, in looking for a church to be part of.

1. Teaching. Above all else, the approach to scripture has to be sound, evangelical.

2. Sunday school. The family is a big part of the decision making process. We talk with our kids, what they thought. My kids seem to like the smaller groups, which was more personal. It'll be really nice for the church to have an English children's church, and a place where my kids feel more comfortable.

3. Fellowship. This, is I guess what seals it. I got to know a few people from church #2, and would not have been disappointed to have settled in there. But what struck me about church #5 was how outward looking and warm they were, especially to newcomers.

I guess it is something everyone knows in theory, but harder to put in practice. In the church I was part of in Singapore, it grew from 1 service of 100 to 3 services of 1000+ - and it's hard to even keep up with even regular attenders, especially in our very busy lives. We get comfortable, talk with the people we know, want to catch up with, people with the same demographic. It really is quite hard for a new person to get "plugged" in, often taking years. For me, it is a good reminder, now that I've been on the other side (a newcomer).

It's an encourage to keep being outward looking, go beyond saying hello, how are you, and see you next week. Being in a church, is a sense of belonging, and all the more so for a newcomer. It's the sharing of lives, and unfortunately, it involves time and effort. It's being in a family - the family of God, that has been purchased by the blood of Jesus. THESE are the relationships that will count in eternity.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.