Why do we love?

Hey guys i'm back home!!! I survived Contract paper, Salt Shakers '08 and AnnTIC!!! Warning - Looooonnnng post ahead. And cause i'm unwell, i cant really think straight, so pardon the grammatical mistakes and stuff....and Brace yrselves! =)

First up - Contract paper was such a killer. it was soooo tough i tell you. I was making up the cases and facts on my own, but i really cant be bothered with it right now...

Next - SALT SHAKERS '08

It was a really wonderful camp. Though i acknowledge the facilities were pretty bad (*ahem* like the knob in the male toilet that could be easily pulled off, causing a flood not once, but TWICE) but the campers never allowed it to dampen their spirits.

Though it was a pretty last-minute camp, and there were many loose ends we failed to tie, yet the campers were all so supporive and enthusiastic about everything. Thanks guys, you all made the hardwork all worthwhile.

And the spiritual side - only one word to describe - "Wow!" The whole comm prayed for revival, and that God would move in the camp, but personally, I confess that i didnt have the faith to believe that God would move that greatly. Especially on that last night, when i saw God moving and touching the hearts of each and everyone in the room, i stood at the back, tears just flowing. I was so humbled by God, and ashamed that i didnt have the faith to believe that He could do such wonders. I guess God's teaching me to stop rationalising with my head. And it was extremely heart-warming to see the youths praying for their fellow brothers and sisters. Youths, it's my prayer that you all won't forget how God moved in this camp. Dont let this just be a temporal spiritual 'high', i believe that all of us were touched in some way so special its life-changing. Youths, hold on to this precious faith of ours and dont ever allow the devil to take it away from us.

And a couple of people to thank:

The Camp Committee -

Yes, that's us having our mtg in Raffles City's BK ( i dont quite like that place haha). You guys are such a lovely bunch of pple that it was indeed a privilege to be able to serve in this camp with you guys. Though so many obstacles were placed in front of us, you all held on, persevered and never once gave up depsite the stress of it all. And kudos to you guys for being able to handle my 'perfectionism' =P

To Elaine! Thanks my dear, for being so supportive and staying calm when everyone else gets stressed. And this poor girl had 5 papers to sit for the two wks before camp!! And thanks for that servant heart, cleaning up after everyone and handling all the administrative stuff. I've indeed learnt loads from u!

To Sam! I thank God for such a tender and loving heart. You've been so responsible, and steady as you handle all the tasks thrown to you. I'm so glad to see you rising up in leadership. I believe God's gonna use you for great things, so keep it up and i look forward to serving with you again!

To Justin! Thanks for helping out in this camp, it was indeed a joy to be able to work with you. It's also a joy to see you rising up to take responsibilities and handling them so well. I appreciate your support throughout this camp, and your enthusiasm is truly infectious! I pray that God will continue to fan into flame the passion to serve Him.

To Jabez! First of all, thanks for handling all those publicity videos, they sure enticed alot of pple to turn up for the camp! Thanks for injecting creativity and fun into this camp, and thanks for being so enthusiastic in everything, like the secret monkey, etc. You've been a blessing to the comm, thank you =)

And not forgetting Mabel and Serene! Thanks for taking so much time to help plan for the games, we wouldn't have come up with such fun and interesting games on our own! I appreciate all yr enthusiasm in this camp, and i believe the campers have all enjoyed themselves greatly. thanks girls once again =)

And then on Monday morning, i went to AnnTIC (Annual Teach-In Camp) at Cameron Highlands.

Initially, i was extremely reluctant to go, cause i know i was going to be really exhausted by then, but smth just kept pushing me to go, and i went and was richly blessed.

We studied the Book of Ecclesiates, a book i never understood my whole life. Not that i fully understand it now, but at least I'm beggining to get a glimpse of what's happening haha.

The time-table was pretty crazy. We would wake up, have an hr of QT, half hr of breakfast, half hour of sharing with my Law CG, then 3 hours of IBS (Inductive Bible Study), Lunch, nap for 1 hr, then workshop for 3 hrs, bathe, dinner, theme talk plus sharing for another 3 hours. it was so hectic that everyone was extremely exhausted by the second day. oh and did i mention that it took about 9-10 hours to travel there? it's way too long a ride for restless me =P

I was unwell the entire camp - with running nose, no voice,and persistent coughing. It was pretty torturous but i really learnt alot, especially from the group sharings. i met people from different faculties, and all of them are so on fire for God. So many of them even know the Bible so well and i feel ashamed that i havent really been going deep into the Word like they have been. there were 3 law senoirs in my group, and they really practise what they preach. Despite their busy schedules, all of them serve in their churches and even in VCF, and they're living testimonies of how God honours those who honour Him. I'm indeed so inspired and encouraged by them.

And it was so wonderful to see 40 law people at AnnTIC!! ( law students dont really like this kinda camp haha)

Even more encouraging was that 8 law freshies turned up!

We had a heart to heart sharing on the last night. The Yr ones in VCF hardly ever talk to each other, and i'm so glad to get to know all of them in this camp, and God placed in our hearts a burden to pray for our fellow schoolmates. We shared about our comon struggles in school, and it was so encouraging to get to know fellow bros and sisters also striving to please God despite the many difficulties we face.We decided to meet up, share and pray together fortnightly when school begins. It's amazing. Amazing because just at Salt Shakers, when Pas. Ben was telling us to intercede for our generation, my heart cried out for my friends in law school. And i felt that we as a Christian community havent been really praying and reaching out to them. Further, law school can be quite a difficult place to stand up and speak out for Christ, thus I'm so glad for this timely plan to meet up and pray with my fellow yr ones.

Alright, my medication is making me really drowsy now. Need to sleep again (i've been sleeping 20 hours a day for the past 2 days...!!!) Must get well before I get busy again. I'll post more pictures of AnnTIC when sam uploads them. Till then!