YF Camp reflections

Last weekend we held our annual YF Camp. Tonight was the related 'YF Camp Reflections' in which everyone who went to camp got together one last time to share what they had reflected upon during the week after camp.

Lots of people turned up tonight which was incredibly encouraging. Plenty of the first timers as well. I led a largish group through the reflections and was able to share my own thoughts.

This year's camp wasn't the greatest one. Previous camps have had a better feel and better fellowship, however the lessons I learnt this weekend were quite profound compared with previous years.

Our guest speaker's talks from the book of Jonah were excellent. I learnt more about the technique of preaching from listening in, but the greatest thing I was reminded of last weekend was to remember that God is always bigger than the box we put Him in.

Now, this should come as no surprise really. However I realised that I have put God in a box. It's a box with the labels of 'theology' and 'got this figured out' plastered all over it. And I honestly believe it to be a very big box as well. But the surprising message of which I have been mulling over the past few days has been that even though I believe my box is very big, God is still much bigger than that. His ways are far beyond my ability to fully comprehend and I'm thankful that He condescends to my level and communicates His will to me through His word. I have so much to learn and so much more to be thankful for that I must continue to ponder and be in awe of God's greatness.

What a privilege it is to have God reveal Himself in His Son. I pray that I'll be able to encourage you (and vice versa) to keep pondering the vastness and depth of God's greatness.

YF Camp 2008

Small man, big fish, even BIGGER God!

This is probably the furthest campsite we've been to for YF Camp - I'd have to do a whereis comparison between the Somerset site and this years site at Lennox Heads. Both were roughly a 2 hour drive, but this year's drive felt longer.

Anyway, it was another good weekend of great talks and fellowship. The campsite was good, skit night was as brilliant as ever, and the talks were spot on. The fellowship this year felt a little disjointed, but that seems to happen every so often.

For those of you who missed out, here's some of the fun. Turn up your speakers ;)

YF Camp

Tomorrow we'll be heading off to YF Camp. I think this is now my 7th one (7th for Steph as well!).

Each had their own highlights.

'02 - Pete Ko/Sergio, the book of Genesis, baptised on the beach, Steve Irwin appearing in 3 different group skits
'03 - Eugene Hor, various gospel talks, leading a bible study for the first time, Dai Gor Gor (Asian Big Brother), the Oh's cooking for us, the big challenge to enter full-time paid ministry
'04 - Gary Koo, the gospel according to John, massive bible study groups, fire alarms (!), leaving early because the PA thought I had TB(!), the first time Derek Zoolander made an appearance on Skit Night...
'05 - Pete Ko, fantastic talks on the topic of 'Love', fantastic camp site, Derek Zoolander makes his final appearance on Skit Night
'06 - Bill Colyer, talks on the 'Last Days', Ronnie with a face full of flour and looking very Geisha-ish, Helen's inspiring testimony, me doing a very bad impersonation of Tom Cruise...
'07 - Michael Kwan, talks on various 'Parables', very challenging discussions during bible study, the best camp site ever (pity we can't use it again), gorgeous sunset photography opportunities, Ivan and Stella in an impressive display of Bollywood finesse...

This year Steph and I have an opportunity to lead the 'beginners/non-Christian' group. The challenge before is bigger than I sometimes care to reflect upon, but praise God that He is bigger than the challenge. Our preparations this week have been good, but I get the feeling that we're looking forward to Monday night when it's all over with.

For your prayer considerations:

• Praise God for another YF Camp again - for the opportunities get away with our brothers and sisters to hear God's word taught faithfully and to encourage each other to respond obediently
• Praise God that preparations have gone relativley well so far, and pray that Steph and I will be trusting in God's sovereignty throughout the camp
• Pray for Steph who will be leading on her own this year, for confidence in God, for confidence that scripture is sufficient, and that she would not be anxious in the time she leads
• Pray for myself that I will also place my trust in God and not in myself as I lead
• Pray for the non-Christians in our groups, that they will be impacted by the talks and the bible studies, and that the Spirit would be at work powerfully in them to bring about conviction of sin, repentance and new life in Christ
• Pray for the patience of the non-Christians friends who bring them, that they would not be dissappointed at a seeming lack of fruit from camp, but trust in God's timing and sovereignty over their friends lives

Now, to finish packing...

YF Camp 2007

I have to admit that this years YF Camp was one of the more memorable ones in recent history. There's quite a few factors, in my mind, which make for a good camp: the camp site, the speaker, the bible studies/groups...to name a few. This year was a great mix of all of them. The talks were challenging and clear and people seem to have been moved to greater depths in their faith. There appears to be much fruit appearing from the camp, so the next few weeks will be crucial in our follow up of the many people who came - particularly the 20 odd non-Christians!

For now, here are some photos from the weekend away :)

Sunset on the Friday afternoon...wow...

The face of a man who cannot handle chilli but has swallowed a tablespoon's worth of Sambal...on a bet!

Sunrise over the dam. 5:30am in the middle of winter was surprisingly warm!

This is my Pastor/Trainer...

The beginning of a love affair...Mikey and the drums that is...

Alvin's baptism...the look on his face screams out, 'Wait! I think I've changed my mind!!'

Not stretching, a friendly game of 'pull-the-string-tucked-into-your-pants'

The best jook breakfast at camp ever!

Sleeping arrangements: because each cabin had a separate 'leaders' room, Steph and I were able to share the same room. But it was in the girls dorm. These were the girls who were 'next door'...

Tim, Michael (camp speaker), and Ping. Separated at birth?

110 people at camp. Another great one to remember :)

And here's a slide show with more pictures and a cool tune. Enjoy :)