To say I don’t miss VBC is a lie.
Looking back over the past three days, it’s really been quite a blast. I’m just wondering how it went by so quickly. Before I knew it, I was booking out of T4, E2-07. It seemed like just moments ago that Daniel Soh, Samuel and I booked in, finding 6 beds for 3 people, a tap in front of a window, giving us a nice view of the field. We also found the air-conditioner in no working condition whatsoever.
I can’t really put a finger to it, but God placed something in my heart from day one. Maybe it was the desire to see not only ourselves, the youth, changed, but the children too. Somehow, in the process of wanting to see these children touched and transformed, I was revived and rejuvenated as well. I found revival where I’d least expect, at Vacation Bible Camp 2006.
Day One
Sam, Jonliew and I took a cab from Clementi MRT to the GB Centre. We found Hoho waiting in the canteen. Soon after, Sis. Alice, the F&B I/C, arrived and we helped her unload her stuff. Following that, Bro. Raymond, Program Coordinator, arrived. We unloaded his stuff, and then started making preparations for the kids to come. There was an air of anticipation.
To cut a long story short, I enjoyed doing logistics for day one. It wasn’t that strenuous, and it sure was fun watching the kids trying to tear paper napkins with a water gun.
Lessons learnt from day one program:
Styrofoam flies far.
Do not re-hydrate in front of the kids.
Do not tell the kids to be careful of ropes on the floor, and then trip over those same ropes you warned them about.
Grass makes you itch.
Kids can’t throw water-bombs (the plastic-bag kind) hard enough to burst them.
Service was VERY good. I was doing PA duty in front with Daniel Soh. Though I could not really focus during the fast songs, perhaps due to the different style that CC plays fast songs, I really could draw near during the worship songs. Again, I never expected it would happen in VBC, but God works in unexpected ways, at unexpected times. I felt like the hall was so similar to L3 hall on Sunday. I could feel waves upon waves of the Holy Spirit’s movement in the hall. I felt like I was on Holy Ground again. I’m beginning to experience sensitivity to the Spirit’s presence that I’ve never before. Even as I type this, I’m tearing because of what God has done in these past three days.
“From the mountains, to the valleys…”
If day one’s service was a mountain, day two’s was a valley. I just could not worship at all. I just was frustrated and angry. Somehow, I just couldn’t draw near. Perhaps it was the music, perhaps the whole environment of the worship hall that day. There was so much focus on singing loud, and doing actions, and hype. Yes, hype. Where was the heart? Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against singing loud and dancing to the Lord. I’m in no position to judge the hearts of the children. However, why was it that the worship leader did not focus on singing from the heart. I thought that was the foundation of worship. I just couldn’t stand it. By the second song, I was crying at the back, crying out “why? Why are the children being taught to just sing loud and do actions and hype it up?”
I left the hall somewhere after the 4th or 5th song and Sam followed me out. We sat outside and just had a heart-to-heart talk about what was going on inside the hall. He told me what it was like when he was in CC. It’s just really sad when children from P4/5 – 6 no longer enjoy doing action songs but they’re forced to, because it helps the younger kids to praise. It’s just something I can’t explain here. Later on, Momo, Jan and Yong Bing joined us outside and we talked and talked about this. Sad to say, this is the culture in CC. The hype thing works for the younger kids, but when they become older, they start to think, and all that Bible study starts to make sense. They want something more from the heart, but they can’t because they are with the younger kids, and worship with them means action songs. Honestly, it was visibly obvious that the older kids did not enjoy doing the action songs. I felt it was a waste because their faith could have been strengthened in those few years of progress from lower primary to secondary school. I just wished the culture could and did change. Sad to say, it’s not for us to judge the situation or spiritual condition of the kids.
I sort of calmed down after the service. Day 2’s activity was Servant King University. There wasn’t much work either. We were helping Bro. Albert at his station. That basically involved carrying pails of water from the water point to the mud (about 15 metres) to keep the mud moist. Nothing much to do, but it was quite funny to see some of the kids think they got the better of us by running through the mud, just to get sent through again because their feet weren’t dirty. I mean, “how to clean your feet if they aren’t dirty in the first place?” =)
There was a small complication here involving the youth’s part in this activity. However, I shall not mention it here, as it would be counterproductive, and possibly defamatory. BUT, ITS NOT MY FAULT! 
Ask me privately if you wish to know. I will disclose this information on a need-to-know basis, because it is quite sensitive and brings back bad memories.
Anyway, we were cleared of all charges (sounds like prosecution, leh) and went back still thinking about it, right up to bedtime and beyond. THAT’S WHERE WE GOT THE CATCHPHRASE. BUT, IT’S REALLY NOT MY FAULT!
Lessons learnt from day 2 program:
You can’t trick Bro. Albert.
Bro. Albert is actually a very good teacher.
Ps. Dave looks very innocent.
Many kids need math tuition.
IT’S NOT MY FAULT!
Before I knew it, day 3 had arrived.
I set about with a slightly heavy heart, knowing that by the end of the day, I would no longer be with the “ReGeneration Squad“, the campers, and all the CC teachers, in this campsite. As they say, “very emo, lah“. That was when it hit me, that though it was a children’s camp, I felt attached to it in some way. I was actually sad to leave.
By the way, the youth let morning exercise for all three mornings. I was “PTI” for Thursday and Friday’s sessions.
Lessons learnt from Morning PT
Kids are very “on” about justice. Then again, life’s not fair.
Kids have very little awareness of what, or who, comes up behind them during catching.
Kids can’t do just 5 sets of 4-count jumping jacks. They’re bound to overshoot.
The PTI is always louder than the kids, no matter what happens.
“Hear our praises rise to You!”
Friday’s worship was SO MUCH BETTER. It was really like consuming fire swept through the hall as we lifted our voices in the hall. I felt ReGeneration. I felt rejuvenation. I felt revival. There was just one problem. I felt the prayer tunnel was a little too rushed, and more time should have been spent praying for the children. I know I’m, again, not in any position to judge the situation but I couldn’t help thinking it was a waste that the kids’ hearts were receptive but the prayers were rushed. I really wished and prayed that I could have prayed for some of the children. I sensed a passion in their hearts that was yet to be unlocked; this potential to really burn for Christ. I really look forward to some of them coming up to Youth.
Friday’s program was this thing called Servivor. It was a little like Cluedo, whereby the kids have to solve a “murder case”. Again, not much logistics work on the youths’ part. However, this time, more thinking was required as the youth were deployed as “station marshals”, The groups of children were supposed to come to our stations and exchange clues in order to solve the mystery. We had to think of something to make the groups earn their exchange.
Daniel Soh and I were in T1, the best, most comfortable station to be stationed at. There was air-con, power supply, nearby toilets and snacks. The “task” at our station was for both groups to pick out raffia strips from a pail half-full of water. It wasn’t that hard, but some kids were too kan-chiong spider, and ended up missing the string a few times. Both groups had to complete their task before they were allowed to exchange their clues.
After about three pairs of groups came and went, there was a screw-up. Upon further calculations after the game, it was concluded by geniuses, pastors, the camp commandant, and some of the more mathematically-inclined children, that there were more permutations than the meeting points/clues allowed for. Hence, solving the mystery by clue exchange was deemed impossible.
Lessons learnt from day 3 program:
Maybe the kids don’t need math tuition. Heck, they can do permutation and combination (by trial-and-error, lah).
Raffia string floats on water.
Some kids don’t know the difference between the inside and the outside of a door.
After “Pom Pom Time”, the cute name given to bath time by the program planners (don’t ask me who or why), the program “One Night In Beijing” started. Basically, it was entertainment for the kids. The youth put up a skit for the kiddies, which I thought was really fun, and at the same time, meaningful. I felt we should play a part in telling these kids about the joys of serving. All in all, I felt it was a success. Did anyone tape it down? Bro. Joseph?
“He can see further than Emperor Kangxi (can’t see).” Hur hur.
-Lame joke by Bro. Victor, whilst introducing “Emperor Raymond”.
Lessons learnt from One Night In Beijing:
Kids can count; they can tell the difference between scene 2 and scene 3.
Why is the sky blue, and not pink or green?
If Janice is loud and Sam is loud, and both shout together, no mics are needed.
Youth rock.
We still rock. This sounds egoistic, but IT’S NOT REALLY OUR FAULT (it’s getting old).
I’m really proud of what the youth did for the kids throughout the camp, as well as during One Night In Beijing. I’m really happy that we, as a logistics team, bonded close together through the course of three/four days of camp, though thick and thin, rain or shine (literally!). I’m sorry if I got angry with anyone of you, or offended/belittled any of you. Truly, it’s been an enriching and wonderful camp with you all. Keep that passion burning, not just for yourselves, but the ministry, whether it be R-Age, or CC. I encourage you, continue to pray for CC, that God will continue the work that he has started in this camp, that revival will reach CC as well, and these children will be on fire.
I left camp before day 3’s debrief, promising to buy some people gum from Malaysia. Photos are ready, people. They’ll be out at the end of the post.
Time to move on to shout-outs, as with all previous camps.
Samuel
You’ve been a great brother. The kids love you. I believe you have the gift of mentoring/teaching. Look at you; you have a great influence over these kids. Choose to use it to bring glory to God. Show these kids what it is to live a life unto God.
Daniel Soh
Bro, you never fail to make me laugh with your lame wisecracks and jokes. Oh, and of course, the tombalek Engris (cough cough, changed-life experience). I really felt the need to pray for you for personal revival on the first night. You’ve got to discipline yourself if you want revival in your life. If you don’t do QT, start now. Fill your mind with the Word. When you do so, God can speak to you. I’m really happy that you’re attending cell again. Keep it up, bro. I really want to see you grow spiritually. =)
Hoho
Bro, sometimes I feel you’re a little too cynical and cold. I know however, that you have a passionate heart, and you’re curious about many things. This questioning attitude that you possess is uncommon. I believe you will uncover much knowledge in your spiritual journey. I pray and hope that this knowledge will come alongside personal encounters and experiences. You’re a great leader, Hoho, and a smart one. Use that to glorify God.
Momo
Responsible; young but responsible. No doubt you are young, but who said the young could not serve faithfully. I am glad that you start early. I am really happy that you are serving actively in pre-school ministry. I know that you are very responsible with duties, and know when to draw the line between fun and work. Keep burning bright bro. You have passion in that heart of yours and it should be a burning passion; God does not like a lukewarm believer. Remember to do your QT regularly and diligently. Let God speak to you through the Word, for He will tell you many important things. =)
Jan
Even as I write this, I remember what we talked about when we barely knew each other. The memories were refreshed during this camp, where I saw what the culture of CC was really like, and it broke my heart. It saddened me to know some of the children there could not worship because the majority/younger ones still relied on the hype to facilitate worship. I realise now what you were talking about when you learnt all that head knowledge, but never actually knew about its practical usage. I’m glad, however, that you’ve outgrown that stage, and you’re shining bright for Christ. You’re a graceful dancer, a talented musician, a natural evangelist, and a loud leader. You’re one who is full of energy. Don’t let it get to your head. You’ve done really well during this camp as an AGL. In absence of the GL, you did well in leading the children. You’re also responsible, and you love the kids under you in your group and dorm. No doubt, the kids love you too. =) I’ve never seen a Christian as passionate and “on” as you. Keep that flame burning brightly for God.
Yong Bing
You’re one with an enthusiastic attitude. You’ve shown Bro. Raymond, along with everyone else, that you’re responsible and reliable. You too, know where to draw the line between work and play. You know when to be serious and when to joke. You are sensitive to the Spirit. You’re capable of great things. If you’re wondering why some people are getting “superglued” to you (wink wink), don’t wonder. I suppose these people see qualities in you too =) BUT THEN, IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT. =P
Bro. Raymond
It’s been fun and enjoyable working under you. Though your simple ideas aren’t always that simple to us, we still love you. You’re a great leader who’s full of energy. You’re able to “ra-ra” the kids. Thank you for all the experiences and lessons you taught us as youth helpers. Thank you for your support for our skit as well. I look forward to working with you in the near future. If by any chance you read this, thank you for those three days of work and fun.
Bro. Clement
Thanks for your support for the youth’s skit. Without your support (and approval), we wouldn’t be able to perform. (Thanks for the soccer game too.)
Bro. Phillip
My funny friend, it was fun playing soccer with you. The kids love you very much.
And finally, we have photos.
ReGeneration Squad + Jon Liew.
Sunrise on Day 2.
E2-07 – Dorm T4
Another angle; this one’s our doorway.
What’s a dorm with no beds. A 6-bedder dorm with 3 people in it only! How cool is that?
Sunrise on day 3.
Worship on day 3.
