Role Call - TRU Camp '08

By De Ming

Where ever he leads I follow,

What ever he feeds I swallow.

This was the line that struck me the most during the camp. Oddly enough, although this was a church youth camp, but it was this particular line that had smacked me right in the face. No, this isn’t from Malachi or Revelations or Matthew or any of the verses from the Bible; instead it was the words of Uncle Steven Low, our speaker-cum-Chief of Information. I believe, this two lines, though jokingly said had summed up the whole camp – Role Call, for where ever God calls us to, or what ever he asks us to swallow, we should just drop everything (all our dreams and our hopes) just as Simon the fisherman had, and follow.

The camp begun once we arrived in Malaysian Bible Seminary (MBS), Kuang, by then it was already twelve thirty in the afternoon (we left from church at eleven). As usual, it all started with a brief briefing and once that was done we ate our lunch. Lunch was followed by more briefing, and then there was the ice breaker (our first team effort) – we had to find people who likes doing X (whereby X is a variable) and we had to find a few objects.

After the ice breakers we got to relax awhile but were soon caught up in the games which they call Blow Pong Championship. So what is Blow Pong? Well, according to Wikipedia, erm… according to Wikipedia… Well, there’s nothing about it in Wikipedia, so I’ll explain, basically Blow Pong is a game where two teams of eight each squat (yes, squat) on one side of the ping pong table. The goal is to blow the ping pong ball to the opponent’s side and out of the table (if it flies out through the side, that’s not a goal). I like that game. All that whistling I do in the bathroom has finally paid off, because our team, team Thundercats got third! Third arh? So lousy. What to do, other people spend more time in the bathroom, so they got more time to whistle lor!

The unique feature about this year’s campsite was the facilities, for this year, we had a basketball court, ping pong tables, swimming pool, golf-thingy, badminton courts and a swimming pool. We also have got a few huts our there, sadly though, that place is crawling with huge, vicious, bloody-thirsty, nine feet long iguanas. Anyways, opportunities are like lost camper-humans to those iguanas and seeing as there was an available badminton court, we seized the chance.

We bathed and ate by eight and soon we were all marching towards the hall for worship and announcements. This year’s camp song is Centre of My Life by Hillsongs (it’s the song that is playing now in my blog). After worship, we had our first session. Uncle Steven introduced the problems that all of us would most probably have a least one of them; among them are the primal (basic) pain of the heart, the cynicism of the mind (disbelief), the paralysis of the will and the overcrowding of the soul. Mine was probably the paralysis of the will. “Tuition larh.”

Uncle Steven’s said that to follow God we must first 1) remain in him:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:5

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

Command Aaron and his sons, saying, this is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.

Leviticus 6:9

Discussion was cancelled. Supper was after discussion which was after the session. Supper was biscuits and 3 in 1 Milo, and lights out was at eleven thirty. The dorms was clean although it was the ex-squash court and we had two air conditioners in there (oh no!). The bad thing about dorms is that the beds all creak like crazy even if you just want to shift your direction, but all in all, it was rather nice, even the night music (snores) were quite bearable. Huuuuaaaack… Whoooooo….. Huackk….

The next morn, we woke up, brush teeth, you know, typical stuff. We did our exercises (quite similar to taekwondo’s except less, much, much less tiring). Did quiet time with Ii Ern and Jian Eu, had breakfast (was heavy, but really good), went for worship and then the Lord’s Supper.

The first thing we had to do was to remain in God and Uncle Steven said during the second session that the second thing was to 2) remove our weights, baggage, hindrances and wrongs.

After the session was done, we had our lunch; well at least we tried, because breakfast was still bunking in our stomachs. That night was Fun Night and each team was given a movie which they were suppose to based their plays on, a prop (a bicycle tyre rubber) and a couple of imaginary props which the people had to act as. The movies they had were Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Incredibles, Transformers, Justice League, Lord of the Rings and another two (I forgot larh). Our team got the Incredibles and we practiced really thoroughly after we knew and after games too.

Talking about games, that day’s ones involved a lot water and saliva. We had to suck water in our mouths and bring it to the other side. We had to juice watermelons and eat lemons. We had to pass water with our spoons. We had to… a lot of water and saliva larh.

When the long anticipated Fun Night arrived, everyone was already dressed up; we had Superwoman, Darth Vader, Jack Sparrow and even R2D2. Imagine that. I was Pinocchio (due to busy-ness the previous week, I had to tear the cover of my notebook to make a nose and used A4 paper for a hat). That night’s sketches were all pretty entertaining, most of them revolved around David and Goliath, some did others, but all were really creative combining a movie together with Bible lessons. We all tried our best in it and it was really a pain in the stomach to watch all the funny sketches.

The photographers were really busy that night, but once the event was done, I threw my nose away and went to search for Desmond. We had locked the dorm with the key inside! Thank goodness, we manage to unlock the dorm thanks to the owner of the place. Thank you Uncle. Sorry.

Supper was followed by a lot of chatter as the mood of laughter and smiles had not faded yet, but it was soon time for lights out. Good night.

The ritual of wake up, exercise, quiet time, breakfast, announcements and worship was upon us once again. Session that day talked about the third R, 3) replenish.

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.

Galatians 4:19

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:29

Once discussion was over, we took the group photo.

We ate lunch. I played more badminton and then it was time for the Amazing Race. This year’s one was fun, as usual. My team started from the hall, we went to the tennis court where we were blindfolded and where we had to turn around five times before we were instructed by one of the team member to pick up the tennis balls all over the court.

After that we ran to the golf course, we had to hit the balls through the poles (many poles) by alternating between ourselves to whack the ball.

We went to the skating ring. We had to pick up papers while on the skating board.

Then off to the canteen, where four sacrifices had to eat all sorts of weird thing, one of them was expired blue cheese. I can still remember the taste of it…

To the pool where we canoe to the other side with Desmond and Dorothy shooting us with water guns.

Off to find leaves and stones to pass to the Sniper or photographer, Uncle Cheng Tat.

Then off to the lobby to count lights and stairs which we had to give our answers to PG.

Once we had done that, we went to the Tan’s Training Centre where we had to go through a couple of obstacle courses.

At last, we went to Desmond’s hideout by the guard house huffing and puffing, but had no strength to blow the house down. Apparently Voltron had came in first and Justice League second. We were… well… second last. Hey, we tried our best and we did it as fast as we can.

After the race, most of us jumped into the pool, despite having run all around MBS. Well I did, but I got bored. So once again, off to the badminton court and the table tennis table.

The last session was on 4) rearrange which touched a lot on our priorities.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Mark 8:36

That night lights out time was extended to one, because we were suppose to use it wisely. Usually this would be the time when people have heart to heart emotional talk, but unless you call playing games and having the losers eat cucumber personal, the last night is a little lighter than usual. I did enjoy talking with Brendon, John Yap, Nian Ci and Anthea about… mayonnaise larh, school larh and etc.

Morning exercise was cancelled, so we woke up later that day. But quiet time continued, breakfast was of course still there and worship remained the same. The sessions had ended and this time there was sharing by those who had things to share about.

Once done, we packed up and ate lunch.

Then, like magic, presto! Camp was over. We were gone.

Lastly I would like to quote Uncle Steven’s words,

Where ever he leads I follow,

What ever he feeds I swallow.

Remember Simon, before he came into the Bible, he was a fisherman and when he was a fisherman he met Jesus:

When He (Jesus) had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

Luke 5:4-7

Because Simon did what he was told, only then was he able to become one of the twelve disciples. So only if we listen to God, only then we are able to really fulfill our role and our calling.

And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 5:10

*Sorry about the lack of photographs, I’m waiting for the Sniper to upload them. Once they do, it will all be there, so please visit this post again

A Family Tradition

By De Ming

A tradition is formed once a group of people do something repetitively for a period of time and every year (usually during December), my aunties, uncles and cousins would drive up from Singapore to Malaysia where they would meet up with my family and my grandparents. So I would presume that my family actually has a tradition despite living in this ever advancing, modern world.

Twas’ was the story of this year’s family reunion.

Once again, we met up at Uncle William’s bungalow in Cameron Highlands (no, Uncle William is not our family member; he’s the person we rented the bungalow from). This time around though, we were going to sleep three nights over there.

To be really honest, I did not want our family reunion to be in Cameron again, for this was already the fifth time I was up there within two years! I have been to the Bee’s Farm, Kea’s Farm, Butterfly Farm, Ravi Strawberry Farm, well just about all the farms there. Oh well, the more important aspect of reunions are the people right?

Right.

We arrived at the bungalow when the short hand of the clock pointed to three. At that time, our cousins and an uncle and an aunty was already there. Imagine leaving Singapore at four in the morning. The first thing I did up there was run around crouching, squatting, tip-toeing, hiding behind bushes to take photographs of the flowers in William’s place.

After that I went back up to join my cousins and brother and sister to a game of Scrabble. Halfway through, there was a black out, nevertheless, we continued playing anyways.

My other auntie and uncle came at eight in the night, just in time for dinner. Apparently, they were stuck in the immigration from morning before they were released. Dinner was as usual, Aunty Jessica’s (Uncle William’s wife) steamboat, once again I would like to stress, this is the one place you can get the very best steamboat! No joke!

After dinner, we just hung around and slept I guess.

Once the sun started to smile at the bungalow, we ate our breakfast and went towards the Boh Plantation. Just for extra info, did you know that Boh stands for Best of Highlands? Apparently there was this Viewpoint where we could get a very scenic view of the plantation. So up we went.

Then down we went once again. Drank some tea flavoured sugar in that little tea shop ate a piece of strawberry pie and a piece of cake, and then we went home and prepared ourselves for lunch. What type of preparation is there that needs to be done before lunch I wonder?

We had lunch in Tanah Rata, I ate a plate of nasi pattaya (not that you would want to know). Once lunch was swimming within us and playing hide and seek with our enzymes, we decided to go get a couple of souvenirs (better buy some birthday presents earlier than to rush to Summit a day before their birthday right?). Scones with lemon something came right after that. I know what you are thinking. This guy crazy, eat, eat, eat, eat and eat only. Sorry larh brother, I Malaysian mah! Got problem arh?

After consulting with Uncle William, we decided to try taking Jungle Walk 13 which was beside the bungalow. The path up the jungle walk was almost a forty five degrees slope and the best part was the paths were muddy. Despite our efforts, instead of arriving in Tanah Rata, we ended up in some egg plant plantation. That was when it started to rain. So in the rain, we had to find another less perilous path through the chrysanthemum plantation back to the bungalow.

Dinner was also Aunty Jessica’s cooking: tofu, two types of fishes, two vegetables, pork, curry chicken and rice. Once again all of the dishes were swallowed in while mouthfuls of compliments came pouring out. Seriously larh, she can really cook! We played Uno Stacko after that.

In the morning, we went back to the Jungle Walk 9 that we had taken last year. Talk about déjà vu, it was also muddy this time, the paths were small and slippery, there were logs blocking us here and there and we met more white people (there was also a couple with a pair of Dalmatians)! Oh ya, I met a Seafieldian in the jam shop after the walk, Jeremy. It’s a small world after all.

It was raining by then, we tried to search for Jungle Walk 9 and we succeeded. Sadly enough, it was overgrown and there was no way we could get into there with all that growth. So once again, old man world repeats itself and in that pouring rain, we had to take Jungle Walk 13 back to the bungalow. Although it was raining and the path was more slippery (I fell twice), I felt I enjoyed the walk as we were all busy looking for sticks of suitable length to increase our stability.

We arrived home wet, muddy, sweaty and tired. By then it was about five, just in time for scones! Pass the marmalade please!

Dinner was barbeque. Then the adults gave out presents (for early Christmas) and the children (that’s us) receive presents! Sounds good right? Night fell once more and it was our last night in Cameron.

In the morning, we packed up and had our yearly photography session. Talk about tradition. I like the umbrella shots.

After the winding roads and the Tapah lunch, we arrived back home around four. My cousins and my aunty and grandparents were now in KL in my grandpa’s house. The rest were on the way back to Singapore. At home, there was no rest, we washed our shoes and clothes and repacked everything, and then we rushed off to our grandfather’s house to stay with our cousins.

Most of the time spent together with my cousin and my auntie was on playing badminton, monopoly, watching weird movies, ultimate Frisbee, eating Char Keuy Teow and there was once that we went boating.

I remember the last time we went boating. That was about one or two years ago, I wanted to switch boats (don’t ask why) and at that time I did not know Newton’s third Law of Motion that states to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Thus, plop! I went into the lake. I still remember watching my slipper swim beside me. This time though I was armed with this physics law and did not fall into the water. I really enjoyed my first time kayaking.

Without us noticing, it was soon the last day spent with them this year and I was suppose to go for Church Youth Camp in one hour. The thing I noticed though as Jon hugged me while saying, “Bye Ming!” was how much he had grew and how much I had come to really love kids. Also, I realized a special thing about my cousins, was that although we could be doing the most ordinary things, I had always enjoyed them much more with them around. They say that company is more important than activity. I testify to that.

Twas’ ended this year’s reunion.