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.
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 :)
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....
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