Wow it's been a long time since the last update. So much BB stuff done and to do. I haven't had a BB-free Saturday at all since March and it doesn't look like I will have one till August (unless I take "off" ;p)
As for LTC, let's just say it had it's ups and downs. How close the Year 3s have bonded together still remains to be seen in the months running up Admin. I just hope and pray that they will come to pray and care for each other.
On the first night of LTC I had this deep sense that God was about to pour out His Love and Spirit upon the people in both camps. Somehow I was moved to tears as I knelt in the Prayer Room set aside for the camp and I remembered how much God loves each and every person such that He would send His only Son to die for us on the cross.
There was a certain air of expectancy on the last night of LTC as everyone gathered for the combined worship. We had carefully set aside time for God to come and minister with the full expectancy and faith in His Power. To see His Glory fall on the people in the camp. The worship began well and one could feel the Glory of the Lord coming closer and closer, reaching out to those calling on His name and worshiping fervently.
Somehow though, it came to a point in time when the Holy Spirit seemed to withdraw and the worship came to end soon after (it was only slightly over 1 hour when we had expected at least a couple of hours if not more.) I can only remember feeling a deep sense of dissatisfaction and asking "why God? Is that it? Is that all You had promised?" By God's grace He came again in Power during the next day's worship when I half-thought that He wouldn't. But the feeling of a wasted night took a long time to fade away. I will not dwell on the details of that night too much as I guess it is best left unsaid on a public blog.
One thing that I guess I learnt from LTC is to not confine God to a "box" or programme. To let God work in every single programme from Drill to Hike to even defaulters. How easy it is for us to give God only 2 hours during worship or Live Praise to work instead of the 24 hours that are rightfully His.
Following LTC, I had to attend two LDC 2s under HQ at the BB campsite in Sembawang since the Year 3s were going for it as part of their NCO Star stage 2 course. The camp was radically different from previous LDC 2s, more obviously through its new 2 day 1 night programme where it was previously 3 day 2 night, the fact that Boys did not have to bring Full-U and a completely new lecture syllabus.
Yes, there was a lecture syllabus and guess who had to teach it. Trying to make the lessons interesting for a bunch of hyper-active 15 year olds is no easy feat. I tried making it more "exciting" by doing some activities like blindfold soccer to teach them about things like communication and teamwork. I can only hope that they take back something from this camp to their companies.
For those brave few who read this blog, do take some time to view the "Revival" link on the right toolbar. I know it's pretty long, but it is so worth it and it blew my mind and spirit to hear such forceful preaching that cuts to the heart. That our whole ministry and life is not for ourselves, not for the unsaved, but for the Glory of God.
"May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering."
