Camp
Camp
It's been many years since I last join the youths for their camps. Now that I'm going for this year's youth camp makes me feel somewhat "nervous", excited and kind of apprehensive. Well, I guess all these feelings are generated from the fact that I've left the youth ministry for a number of years already (at least 2 to 3 years??) and there are many fresh faces that I've not met nor interacted with. Many of those who went through the Sunday School years and who labored alongside as we started the youth service some years ago had also left for greener pastures (to adult service, overseas studies, etc).
Surprisingly, it was fairly easy for me to assimilate into the current culture and dynamics of the youth ministry. In fact, I believed God knew all my apprehension and fears, and made it so ready and easy for me even before the camp - I had fantastically enthusiatic and inclusive group leaders leading the group I was in =)
The other thing I was really thankful for was how some of the youths whom I've taught before in Sunday School - who used to be so quiet, meek and introvert - became godly leaders and examples for the younger ones. The camp commandant who used to be a fairly quiet and meek person is now commanding the entire camp of 227 persons!! Awesome!! And this was the kind of warmth and encouragement anyone involving in God's work and ministry would feel as they witnessed the fruits of their labor, even though at times many years later. I guess that must be how the apostle Paul's heart was so encouraged when the seeds he sowed during his missionary trips blossomed into fruits.
Seeing what God is doing in the youth ministry makes me excited about coming back to join them and once again be involved in the lives of these youths. May the Lord lead me to the right timing as I return back to where I once left off ...
It's been many years since I last join the youths for their camps. Now that I'm going for this year's youth camp makes me feel somewhat "nervous", excited and kind of apprehensive. Well, I guess all these feelings are generated from the fact that I've left the youth ministry for a number of years already (at least 2 to 3 years??) and there are many fresh faces that I've not met nor interacted with. Many of those who went through the Sunday School years and who labored alongside as we started the youth service some years ago had also left for greener pastures (to adult service, overseas studies, etc).
Surprisingly, it was fairly easy for me to assimilate into the current culture and dynamics of the youth ministry. In fact, I believed God knew all my apprehension and fears, and made it so ready and easy for me even before the camp - I had fantastically enthusiatic and inclusive group leaders leading the group I was in =)
The other thing I was really thankful for was how some of the youths whom I've taught before in Sunday School - who used to be so quiet, meek and introvert - became godly leaders and examples for the younger ones. The camp commandant who used to be a fairly quiet and meek person is now commanding the entire camp of 227 persons!! Awesome!! And this was the kind of warmth and encouragement anyone involving in God's work and ministry would feel as they witnessed the fruits of their labor, even though at times many years later. I guess that must be how the apostle Paul's heart was so encouraged when the seeds he sowed during his missionary trips blossomed into fruits.
Seeing what God is doing in the youth ministry makes me excited about coming back to join them and once again be involved in the lives of these youths. May the Lord lead me to the right timing as I return back to where I once left off ...
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