Clinging Onto Heavenly Bliss

Many and countless thanks to our Heavenly Father for allowing me to attend this year’s church camp from 18th – 22nd July 06 at Hotel Equatorial at Bangi (near Kuala Lumpur). It has been the most fruitful and amazing experience of hearing the revelation of God’s truth and soaking in the presence of our Almighty God.

From the bottom of my heart, I would never trade any of these 5 days of church camp for any other 5 days which I had over the past few months. I meant this during the camp and I still mean it, despite it being several days after returning back to Singapore and resuming for hectic working life.

By God’s grace, the speaker, Rev Ross Tooley (from New Zealand) made a tremendous impact in my life. A man of 60 years of age and a father of 4 children, 3 of them grown up and 1 still 15 years old; his sharing through his sermon sessions have been most inspiring to me. Rev Abel Thomas was there too with his wife, but they were rather aloof… letting Rev Ross ‘run the show’… after all, they were invited guests and Rev Ross is the camp speaker.

Two-Morning Informal Mentorship

Lastly, I gave myself the opportunity to be a short two-morning informal mentorship with this young chap by the name of Kenneth. I can’t remember if he is in Sec 2 or 3... And I don’t recall seeing him in the Youth Ministry either. But then again, I have always had problems recognizing faces and names, so I’m not at all surprised. Hmm…

It was just two early morning sessions of QT together before breakfast, but I was glad to have experienced this mini-mentorship with him. He’s very quiet though, and not very interested in the group games too… just like how I was when I was his age. In fact, even at this age, I’m still not very interested in ball games. It’s just my preference. I prefer a different type of sport… individually challenged kind.

Still Relatively A Stranger To Adults

Although there were still many church members whom I do not yet know… and by far, this is one aspect which makes me feel uncomfortable at times, especially when I get cold or ignorant stares from certain people. Perhaps this could be because some people respond defensively or ignorantly towards people whom they do not know, thus regarding me as some sort of a stranger.

In fact, a few adults have come up to me and asked why they have never seen me before in the church! And my typical answer would be because I don’t attend the second church service, which comprise mostly of adults. Oh well, I guess there is bond to be occasional interpersonal issues like this, when it comes to people, after all, everyone is different and each perceive others differently.

Difference From The Last Church Camp

Nonetheless, I got to talk a little more with Rebecca’s Dad in this camp and made friends with this young secondary school chap who was assigned to be my room mate! He has just received Christ and shared with me that he is very keen on bringing his other family members to church! Praise the Lord!

On the other hand, I also got to spend a lot more time with Rebecca, compared to the last church camp that was two years ago at Damai Laut. At that previous church camp, I could only spend time with her occasional during meal times, just a short while before we went back to our own rooms to rest for the night, as well as the short 2 hours jungle trek together with the other Young Adults.

This time, it was A LOT different! I suppose God saw that I would be lonely and still have some difficulty making friends with so many strangers whom I do not yet know. So this time, Rebecca and I had the chance to sit next to each other during the coach ride, attend the same discipleship group, occasional together eat at meal times, attend the sermon sessions together, go on a massive shopping trip at KL Mega Mall for 4 over hours, as well as chat outside her room and at the hotel lobby every night! How could I ask for any more than this? In addition, I managed to get to know a few more adults… and even managed to request for prayer from the speaker before we left for Singapore!

Taking Holy Communion As A Couple

In addition, Rebecca and I had the privilege of going forward for Holy Communion together and be prayed for by our Sri Lankan Pastor – Rev Sunil and his wife! It felt like a new experience, almost as if we were standing before God, while the pastor prayed and blessed our marriage. In fact, my thought was confirmed when Rebecca and I happened to be sitting at the lunch table with that same pastor and wife! He asked when our ‘big day’ is and I replied, “When God provides the money.” Upon hearing that, Ps Sunil laughed and said, “Don’t worry, if you want to get married, get married and God will provide the money!”

I was very glad to hear that my church pastor approves and in fact, encourages Rebecca and I to get married! I mean, after all, we are not very young anymore and have been in a stable relationship for more than 5 years. But up till today, I’m still pondering about my pastor’s words about us going ahead to get married and let God provide us with the money. Is that supposed to be a hint to trust God, since He is the One who instituted and intended marriage between a man and a woman? Plus my parents approve of this, Rebecca’s parents approve of this, my church pastor approves of this, our relatives approve of this… so its clear already, isn’t it? Coz Rebecca and I are serious about each other. Okay then… let’s move ahead with our plans!

First thing first – the HDB flat. Come to think of it, it’s quite exciting to embark on this new journey together and it would be indeed thrilling to look forward to planning and organizing this event of our lifetime together! May God guide us with His wisdom and bless us with His manifold blessings! Amen!

Nonsensical Skit Script

Finally, another highlight of this year’s church camp was my group who acted out a horrendously ‘nonsensically confusing’ script which totally doesn’t make sense! We finally, after much discussion, decided to call our group ‘The Incredibles’. Plus our group cheer was odd too… and I received a few comments that we sound like we are saying out a Maori cheer. Hmm… but it was an experience. At least now I know that I cannot act for nuts! Hahahaha…

Staying In The Presence of God

Upon reaching home, I just felt like I have left Heaven and returned back to Earth! How much I just long to wake up early every morning, have a quiet and short morning devotion, sing praises to God amidst the church congregation, listen to a 1-2 hours inspiring sermon! I wasn’t really keen about the games and neither was it really about feasting on hotel buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner; but I really looked forward to just singing in the presence of God and soaking myself in God’s inspiring truths and revelations! I just didn’t want to leave His presence! How I wish I could do this every single day of my life!

Away From Mobile SMS and Calls

I didn’t use my mobile phone for any of the 5 days of church camp and I felt most thrilled about it! Plus, I didn’t have to face any PC which would strain and affect my eyesight too. During the church camp, there were several occasions when I just teared for joy from seeing familiar faces coming forward for prayer, especially those who were pretty messed up and wanted a change of heart.

A God Who Can Change Hearts

I also teared when a mother came forth to speak to the congregation, telling them that God touched her heart and right then and there, she publicly apologized to her husband and daughters for her hurtful words said all these while. When I saw that, I really teared and my heart just melted. At that point of time, I knew in my heart that it is INDEED God who can change hearts. There is no one too sinful or problematic that God cannot change and turn things around… even for a mother with several children and inflicting many years of hurt and pain.

Just like the song goes… “There is no problem too big, God cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall, He cannot move it. There is no storm too dark, God cannot calm it. There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot sooth it.” Praise the Lord, O my soul… for You are good and worthy of praise!

Over my next few Blogs, I will share about these precious and treasured lessons which have stayed in my mind since those few days when the words strongly ministered to my heart. I have indeed begun to perceive my life in a different way now. All thanks to our loving Heavenly Father who has made this possible for me.