Camp Review 2009

Camp Review 2009


1) by David Lim, Jalan Imbi Chapel

Dear AFC 2009 campers

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I hope all is well with you. It was certainly a great experience, and provided timely rejuvenation from the hustle and bustle of city life.

First, a big thanks to the committee for organising the camp. I'm sure lots of prayer and hard work went into this. The Lord works in wonderful ways, don't you think? You just need to trust and obey. The important messages that I learnt came from the various sessions shared by the speakers and fellow campers. Though we came from different ages, education backgrounds, race, and so forth, one thing stood out as our common ground C our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ who breaks down all barriers, who himself ministered to mankind and pointed out their sin and sacrificed his divine life for all of us. Most importantly, I was reminded that our walk in the Lord involves a lifetime of learning with him and relying on him for strength and guidance through all circumstances.

I would end with a verse that sums up the walk with our Lord:

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure, I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4 : 6-7

God bless
David Lim
Jalan Imbi Chapel

2) by Melissa Saw, Bethany Chapel residing in Shanghai after AFC 2009

Dear AFC 2009 campers

AFC was especially meaningful because I got to see and catch up with so many brothers and sisters in Christ before leaving for Shanghai. And the theme was timely as I considered an unknown journey ahead. But I am grateful for the assurance from God's word that, with Him, though the journey is unknown, we have the great knowledge that God is guiding us. Actually, I wanted to spend more time in fellowship with all, or at least some of you, but am disappointed with myself for falling ill.

Psalm 121 was very touching as I heard it being read over the 3 days of devotion. I enjoyed the readings from each brother and sister and still remember how Siang Yen read it:-)

I hope all is well with you, living in the wisdom and grace of God. Till next time, take care and God bless.

Best regards,
Melissa Saw
Bethany Chapel residing in Shanghai after AFC 2009
+6016-3932223 (M'sian hp)

3) by Andrew Wong, Sri Damansara Gospel Centre

Dear AFC 2009 campers

This year was quite a rollercoaster year, with lots of ups and downs that made life quite interesting, with many lessons learnt. When I first heard about AFC, I had a vague idea of what the camp was all about, not really knowing what it is for and how it works. This camp (AFC 09) was, in fact, announced for several Sundays but it didn't really get to me, although I did have a flyer. In fact, my parents did encourage me once or twice to attend this camp (the previous two), but I was not keen at all as I was more interested in my career, often traveling outstation for business trips to widen my network.

Nevertheless, AFC 09 somehow one day struck a chord with me. Perhaps God's prompting too. As working young adults, we are not spared from the rugged paths of lives. In one way or another, we struggle, and most of all, we have to endure spiritual struggles for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities of this world.

It happened that the 3rd quarter of 2009 was by far the craziest I've come across, slogging it out between 14-17 hours a day, till I was nearly burnt out. So at one point, while taking a breather at my work station at home, I picked up the AFC'09 brochure and, for once, I read it seriously... "And He walks with me and He talks with me...," the theme struck me. The theme song "In the Garden" is, in fact, my parents' favourite hymn and I remember my mum singing this to me when I was still very young, probably just five. I read through the lyrics, meditated on it and realized how I've neglected my walk with God. The theme was very interesting, and so profound!!!. Wanting to know more, I asked the sister who sits on the Committee to sign me up. God made a way, with my boss reminding me I had another 27 days of annual leave to clear (accumulated from last year). So I jumped upon the opportunity immediately. Moreover, I badly needed a break. I was nearly burnt out from the long working hours, and truly needed this break!.

So during the camp, it was so spiritually refreshing to have fellowship with fellow believers, the spiritual feasting and nourishment during Morning Manna and feeding on God's Word during message time. It was a time when we could really take moments off to reflect on our spiritual health with God. Are we healthy, are we ailing? Fellowship activities were good, and this enabled us as campers to actually widen our scope of Christian friends, which was good. Through this, not only could we fellowship together in Christ, we could also take the opportunity to actually spur each other on in our walk with God. As for the so-called "stigma" (on a lighter note), my encouragement to those who hesitated to come because of this, please, please, do away with any hesitation. I wasn't aware of this until a few days later after the camp!!! Each time when someone brought up the issue of the "stigma," my encouragement to them was to meditate on the lyrics "In the Garden". God walks with us. His Holy Spirit is with us.

I would like to sign off with this :

"And, He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own... ..."
Song Title : In the Garden

" Along the road of life I have a Friend Divine, who walks with me and gently lead the way, ... ...it is enough to know He travels by our side, along the road that leads to streets of gold..."
Song Title: Along the Road

May God's grace and blessings be upon you.

Andrew Wong - Sri Damansara Gospel Centre