An Indescribable Camp

The past three days at the BASC Children's Camp has been an amazing experience. Even that is an understatement to describe how blessed I am by what the Lord did during the camp. I thank God for this privilege to serve. I remember when the appeal was made for helpers, I disregarded it as I never really intended to help out in any avenue to do with children. It wasn't until I was personally asked that I felt a little obliged to do so since I would be having a rather long holiday. At that time, I thought that I would only serve in smaller areas such as games or art and craft, so to be assigned the role of group leader came as a shock to me. I knew I really had to depend on the Lord as 1) I have no heart for children, yet I would be spending the most time with them and 2) I absolutely do not like to lead.

It was challenging at the start. The hyperactivity of the children coupled with behavioural problems posed by several of them in my group made it difficult for me to get them to listen. I definitely thank God that leaders come in pairs (lol), thank God for Wanxin, who's way better at handling children than I am. Thank God that as we interacted more with the children, rapport was built and they were more willing to listen to us. I enjoyed the second day at eXplorer Kid where we got to play and bond with the children. There was this boy, Guodong, who wouldn't listen to a word I said on the first day. Yet on the second day, he wanted to follow me around!

Beyond the fun I had, I witnessed first hand how God performed miracles and changed lives over the short span of three days. A 12 year-old-girl in my group gave us much difficulty initially. She would either ignore us, or respond really rudely when we talked to her. During sermons and activities, she would venture off on her own and not cooperate at all. She was even called up by Aunty Betty for fighting with a groupmate. But I thank God for using Aunty Betty to spend time and share the Gospel with her. She didn't make an immediate decision but on the last day, she went up to Aunty Betty and said, "I did it." Puzzled by that statement, Aunty Betty probed and realised that the girl had accepted Jesus into her life. And the change in her was evident. She participated in the last sing-along session. She led us in our team cheer. And when we waved goodbye, she didn't stop waving till the bus turned off into another road... Even as I type this, I'm simply moved.

On the third day, a new girl joined my group, and she was a close friend of the 12-year-old girl. I knew it was double trouble right when she started goofing around with me. But over the day, God used Aunty May to talk to and share the Gospel with her, and she too came to know the Lord. Wow, wow, wow! There were many other testimonies about other children coming to trust Jesus, and it was just amazing. Thank God for the 66 children who trusted the Lord!

Thank God for my group, Hedgehog. I would not switch a child in there for any other. Naughty as they are, they're beautiful children, each a precious child of God, each unique in my eyes. I couldn't have asked for a better group. Thank God for our assistant leader Aunty Jenny (who could only join us on the first day, yet was greatly used by God to share the Gospel during soul-winning time) and our fearless soulwinner, Aunty May! Is she good at sitting the children down to talk to them!

Last but not least, thank God for the most awesome partner I could ever ask for... Wanxin! It's been such an enjoyable three days working with her. I'm really blessed by her efforts put into the camp by thinking of our team cheers, taking care of the children so well, and simply being a great role model by His grace. It was my first time working with her and I didn't know her well prior to the camp, but quoting what she said in her text to me, I'm amazed at the chemistry we shared. Thank God for this dear sister, she's one of the few people I've truly felt comfortable working with, and I couldn't have asked for a better person to serve alongside.

We are spiky, we are cute, we are the hedgehogs, and we will win the war!!!!!

BASC Camp 2011... To God be the glory!