I actually just wanted to post “Avenue Q is open for booking!” but after watching the church camp photo video montage (mum requested to see it on our tv), I felt like sharing a little bit about the camp.
Even before the camp, God was already teaching me much, especially since I was in-charge of games (again) this year. During one of the committee meetings, I remember the committee members saying they wanted something more from the games this year, like a “structured experience” not just for the finale night game but also on Wednesday night, leading up to the must-have-without-fail fruit fair.
It seemed like a good and exciting idea at that time, but little did Jun Qiang and myself realise how much work we had gotten ourselves into.
I met up with Amanda one evening to discuss games and we sat at Starbucks for hours cracking our heads. How were we going to make the program seamlessly move into the game? How were we going to involve all the campers? Were they going to get the game? Were they even going to realise the game has started?
Thank God that by the end of the night, we did come up with something. By then, we were exhausted and a gallon of creative juices had been wrung dry.
The finale night planning was the worst. Busy schedules prevented the games committee (made up Jun Qiang, Amanda, Nat and myself) from really getting together and brain-storming. Things dragged on until we really started panicking two Sundays before the camp. I remember we had a meeting after church until 3pm and then met again at Jun Qiang’s house at 6.30pm. That meeting (including dinner of course) lasted way after 11pm. Once again, another exhausting and frustrating meeting, but at least we accomplished the basic storyline. Haha. And thanks to Jun Qiang, we all got sent home!
During the camp, all three games, including the indoor games on the second day, were each different learning experiences in itself.
For the indoor games, after a particular game, our super-competitive campers started a rather big dispute with regards to the rules of the game. I, honestly, was taken aback and quite confused as to how I should address the situation. But thank God for my other game com members who were a little less confused and more calm than me. We huddled together and came to an agreed solution that although didn’t appease everyone, allowed the games to carry on and everyone continued having fun.
The fruit fair game was the most trying for me. While planning, Amanda and I overlooked a lot of details that were never addressed even during the game itself. A lot of miscommunication, hiccups and a lack of foresight led to a very messy start, hasty changes during the game and a dramatic ending. I was at my wits end and very very very discouraged at how everything was turning out. While I was in my corner as the “banker”, I remember just wanting to cry.
But every time I wanted to, someone would show up at my “bank”, or a committee member would say that the campers are actually having fun and getting the game, or an encourager would appear with assuring words. Looking back, I realise perhaps how childish I was to let my emotions so easily overwhelm me when the situation really wasn’t that bad. I do take myself too seriously at times and tend to take the entire blame when something goes wrong. But when it all ended, I had even more encouraging words, thank yous and a hug from a friend.
The finale was well-worth all our time and effort. I wouldn’t say it went smoothly without a hitch (as again, there had to be so many last minute changes) but it was fun fun fun. Even though we always have a drama night at every church camp, I think we brought a little something this time, involving everyone from start to finish.
Most importantly, God touched my heart during the camp again. Besides the games, God made sure I had a lesson to learn from each day’s message. Being “Complete in Christ” took on a whole new meaning for me. And I thank God, it wasn’t just a “church camp high”, but a feeling that is still burning in my heart.
Though many things happened throughout the camp, I still want to go back to the mountains with its cold morning breeze, the cool serenity, God’s creation surrounding me, the clean crisp mountain air, the delicious scones and of course, the memories.
Next June, anyone?
(:
just listen to me mew 