Finally its the long awaited church camp. I missed last year's coz it clashed with my CFA exams but God is good and allowed me to join our church again in this sacred retreat in KL this time! And since its the season of budget airfares, I flew this time to KL as well on Asia/JetStar. Actually I don't really mind taking the coach but its just takes up a bit too much time. Nevertheless, heard that our cg reached the hotel very early this time. Though I only needed to take half day to get to KL, somehow, taking mrt down to the airport and upon reaching, have to slog with my hand luggage to the budget terminal and than take a 50min taxi ride to the hotel wasn't too pleasant (but I had my dear with me, which was an offsetting factor). Cab fare cost about RM61 (budget taxi size) which wasn't too bad and had a interesting conversation with our Christian taxi driver.
First day's program was the usual theme exhibition, this year was "Heroes vs Villains". And thus our unit was the "Red Devils" vs our partner unit which was Angels United.
Think in the end we won best hero, with our retro-looking Jesus who saved the world (represented by the soccer ball in the design of a globe) all the time through penalty kicks!
The following day, had my 1st workshop. We learnt about the difference between Secular models of EQ vs biblical EQ. Differences between mood (persistent state, unfocused, vague, powerful, transferable) and emotions (usually short lived, clear and focused, more precise, can evolve into becoming a mood, demands response and single expression) <-- just some gists. The lesson could be quite long and was very interesting but due to lack of time we probably only just skimmed the surface of it. Ask the experts (in the pic below) if you wanna know more.
Next was the allocated CG travel KL time. I believe almost half the church went to where we went or was at least nearby us. Fast forwarding, we had an interesting encounter with a Christian-Malaysian-"Wang Li Hong" on the train, on our way back :P my cg members would know what I'm talking about :P
We went for a short shopping preview before meeting up at dinner place. The guys and gals split up and dang, it was the 1st signs of how shopping would dictate the whole night. Saw many friends there at our chosen eating place and helped them take some pictures.
Following day, had my 2nd workshop about God - the secret of my success. We went through the secular definition as well as the supposedly Jesus' definition of success shared by 2 returning church planters. What is your definition as opposed to Jesus' point of view on Success?
In the afternoon we had our 1st gathering with the choir and practiced the songs for the service on Sunday at the Yap's "honeymoon suite".
Late afternoon, Reina's 1st church backup singing! Just wanna recall something funny. In the morning's P&W, there was some technical hiccups with the sound and thus we only had like a piano and the singers but as Pastor Jeff put it, not by "mic" or "power" but by the Spirit of God that is important do enjoy His presence (paraphrazed by me lah... can't remember the exact words).
Then came dinner. Went to where our cg went last year but a different eatery.
Amazing sia, the amount of food Esmond ordered. And supposedly he comes here twice daily just to eat. YR is so amazed that she can't stop smiling.
The last night's time spending was our usual most intense and outreach to grasp God's presence. We spent time in power P&W as well as altar call.
The last day, after our usual church service with the choir on as well.
Quite like the 2nd picture as its a very animated picture of us choir taken by Megan's friend Joan from our church. The picture gives me proof that I do not open my mouth wide enough or somehow my diction is totally different from the rest of the group :P
As the church returned to Singapore on coach, the same 3 of us, took cab to Mid Valley Shopping mall to meet a fellow friend (ex-hoppie coz she moved back to Malaysia). There wasn't really much to shop there so we spent lots of time at Secret Recipe before meeting her for dinner. But on the way to the airport, we sort of got ourselves "conned" onto a meter-charging cab that wasn't transparent about the cost. Ended up we went to the police station at the airport but manage to settle things eventually with the helpful policemen.
Thoughts about this church camp.Somehow I was pretty much distracted by many things, like the well-being of the cg (some small problems here and there), late night sleeping which made me not very alert through the teachings though I never fall asleep. But all in the experience of hanging out in an intense way with God's people over this 3 day 3 night is priceless and I did experience God, even though small instances, was worth being there.
My brother also managed to come for his 1st church camp as well. I don't know how much he really learnt but I leave it to God to teach him and am grateful to brothers for taking care of him on my behalf. Believe I have much more to share but I'll have to review the teachings taught again and think it through so that the Word of God would not just go in through my ears and out again without being processed. Hope you had learnt something as well, and not wasted your few minutes reading this post :)
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