Bethany Church Camp '16 - Overcomers

This is the first time I join a church camp! From the 5th to 7th of June, I actually mistaken the days as Friday to Sunday but actually it was Sunday to Tuesday so I took 2 days off from work haha. Last year was also a camp but it's under university so it doesn't count hahaha. Since it's a church camp, families do attend together but I attended on my own because Dad already forecast that he'll be going to Hanoi this week so Mum and he didn't attend.

So after church service in the morning, we went for lunch before coming back around 1.30pm. It was estimated to depart at 2pm but they over punctual and departed at 1.47pm. Hahaha.

We reached Cherengin Hills Convention and Spa Resort in Bentong, Pahang in an hour, the road is quite steep and narrow and quite scary when you're in a bus. 

Don't be fooled by the mist.
It isn't cold AT ALL. HAHAHAHAHA!

While waiting for others to arrive, we  checked our roommate and room number from the whiteboard and collect our stuff from the registration counter. My roommate is Zi Ying, whom I have not met before. When she arrived in another bus, I find her so petite size yet so fun to communicate with. After settling down, we went around and knocked the door of other rooms for 'special visit'. HAHAHA. Only the first day I know her and we went crazy together.

Our room, look so comfy!

We got the room in Ground floor so we faced the swimming pool~

Had a short rest then went for dinner at 6.30pm. The buffet dinner is fabulous! Got mushroom soup also!!!! Then we headed to the hall (their ballroom) for service. Pr Robert Ssesanga all the way from Uganda came to speak to us, he also spoke for the Sunday service before we headed to Cherengin Hills. 

Our 3D2N schedule

It isn't that tiring compared to the camp last year because we had 2 days of games last year and we only had one this time. I felt old after the games because seeing the youth playing water guns and poured water on their friends were something that we did last time. Now I just stood aside and watched them played with each other. Change position already. TT


Throughout these 3days 2nights of services, I was slain in the Spirit (fall backwards) for 3 times, means once for every services except for Service 2 or 3, couldn't remember hahaha.

The first time during Service 1 was because Pr Robert wanted to pray for those who can't speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues means speaking in a language that is unknown. You can't make any sense from the words but it's often used before starting to pray. So I went out along with a few more others who can't speak in tongues too. When Pr Robert prayed for me, I fell backwards. That was the first time.

The second time was during Service 2 (or 3, again, couldn't remember) when he asked for those who wants to strengthen their faith in God. Again, I fell backwards when I was being prayed for.

The third time was during the last service where he wanted to pray for everyone, so we needed to empty the hall by pushing the chairs aside and people were standing rows by rows with some space allocated between the front and back rows for people who fell backward. 

It wasn't until lunch time during the next day when I overheard the conversation of the 'catchers', those who catch us and gently place us lying on the floors, that some people felt the urge to fall backwards but they were afraid that no one was behind them to catch them and that they might get injured. 

It wasn't something that I ever thought of because when I didn't go in front to be prayed for, I can see that the 'catchers' are very well-prepared behind the people's backs so honestly there are nothing to be fearful of. And they are well-trained on how to make sure they don't injure the person who fell backwards. 

Got one time I pandai-pandai go be a catcher because there were too many people going in front to be prayed for, but I realised it ain't an easy thing. First, you need to be bigger size than the person who was prayed for. Second, you need to know which part of body to hold. Third, some people they fall according to how you catch them, some people fall into a sitting down position, some people fall backwards in a faster speed than others, some even fall forward. So it is not easy at all. Do not attempt to be a catcher if you're trained.

Pr Rober prayed for a lot of categories of people, such as men who are above 55 years old to prevent prostate cancer, couples who married for quite some time but are unable to conceive, students regardless of primary, secondary or university level, most important of all, those who are sick, backaches, cancer etc. 

Of course not to mention, I was touched by the Holy Spirit during every service and broke down to tears. But, I'm glad that time time it was just purely being touched by the Holy Spirit and not because of the sorrow of being in a relationship with someone who's of the different faith.

Not because he's willing to accept now and that the problem is solved, but after these few months of having issues one shot, I've learned to find peace in my heart and not absorbing negativity. 
In other words, I have faith in God. He just have different timing and plans for different people.

:)

So on the last day after the last service, we boarded on the bus and went for lunch. Which was surprisingly a 7-course lunch. But poor committees, they had to help the waiters to serve us by bringing our dishes by dishes, By the time we finished our lunch only they ate theirs in a super fast speed. God bless them for serving us (and Him) with full hearts. :)

There are stalls that sell vegetables etc also hahahahaha

And so, my very first church camp ended! Learned a lot and was truly blessed throughout these 3 days 2 nights. Thank You Lord for giving me the chance to attend the camp! :')