Survival Camp 08 - Delphne

The YA Survival Camp 2008 really had a great impact on me and I firmly believe the children as well as the assistant counselors.

At the beginning of the camp, I was feeling rather down as I received last minute instructions that I had to leave the camp for Band Practices and that really bothered me a lot. Also, the unfamiliarity of the assistant counselors to me added on to the question whether this year’s camp is gonna be successful for the children under me. Lets just say that I began the camp with this sense of doubt in my heart, whether I’ll be able to make an impact in the lives of the children.

When the children arrived on Sunday, I was rather happy to see that the kids in my group were rather enthusiastic and really obedient. I really thanked and praise God for that! During the night games, I started being really upset about some things and what made it worse was the fact that the next day is gonna be an important bonding day with the children, and I will not be there.

On Monday, I sent the children off and went for my Band Practice. When I came back, what really made me happy was that the children all started telling me about the fun things they did, and what they did during the day. After the night experience, during the counselors meeting, God really did a work in my heart. He really answered my prayer of having a heart for the kids. That night I felt this sense of brokenness in my heart for the children and it really pushed me to love them even more so, though insignificant to the things of this world. The doubt of not being able to be there for my kids was taken away by Jesus and I really felt that if I do my best, God will do the rest.

Tuesday was a fun day and even though my group was caught in the middle of nowhere thanks to the heavy downpour, my kids really had fun and it allowed me time to talk to a few of them. That night was the campfire. The children from my clan ( AZTECS!) were all hyped up and I too was rather energetic which can only be the strength of God cause I was really tired out. The campfire ended off with thanksgiving and the song Forever Friends. At this point in time, I felt God saying to me that he was pleased with me. I was affirmed when I saw some of my children crying and when I went up to them to hug them, I realized, that even with the little time I spent with them, the impact I had on them was great. And it was all God’s work. What made me even more touched at God’s work was when I saw some of the guy assistant counselors crying at the end of the campfire. I felt indeed, God has done a work in the lives of the people in this camp.

This year’s YA Camp has really been one full of impact on my life. It was amazing to see that even though many things were not carried out as planned due to interference from rain and other obstacles, the impact that we had on the children and even the counselors was great. I have come out of the camp with a heart that has been changed and with God’s Compassion for the children, and I believe that many people in this camp, whether main counselors, kids, assistant counselors, program coordinators, have been greatly impacted by God’s work!! ((:

-Delphne.

New Club in the East

On the 23^rd of February 2008 was the opening of TOUCH Young Arrows Bedok. For the past few days, Aunty Joy and I went to do home visits with a staff of Bedok CC who was very excited and supportive of the work we are doing. At first we had less than 10 confirmed applications. Then one day before we got news that it had increase to 21 kids. I was very thankful already. So on that day we gathered at a RC room at Blk 37 Bedok South Ave 2 and prepared to welcome the kids. When we opened the door, there were quite a number of children already. So we welcomed them into the RC room. And that continued for the next hour! And we had 76 kids! We were overwhelmed! There wasn’t enough space!

I was thanking God for the responds, and also showing me that the very neighbourhood I stay has so many needy children! Really thank God for the favour we have we the Bedok CC staff – Jasmine.

There were many Malay and a handful of Chinese Children. They are unexpectedly obedient, at least that what I think.

I also thank God for the volunteers I have in Bedok Club. Although most of them are new volunteers, they are very capable and responsible.

We are in our 4^th week. We are still lack of manpower. We are not able to devote our attention of any of them. So really praying for more manpower, so that the children will be able to benefit from club. And Crystal will be heading the second Bedok Club! So exciting!

Really pray that the children in Bedok Club will be living testimonies of the work done by God through TOUCH Young Arrow.

Vivien Po

Bedok Club Leader

Let's get together for SUN . SAND . SEA

Touch Young Arrows (Youth-phoria) invites all teens from Touch Young Arrows to join us at Sentosa on the 17th November 2007!

Sign up now!

Youth-phoria presents

Beach Escapade!

Where!? - Sentosa (Siloso Beach)
When!? - 17th November 2007
Time!? - 1300 - 2000

What to bring?

- extra clothings / $ for entrance fees
(optional) - $ for bicycle rental / roller blades / soccer ball / volleyball / food

Come in casual t-shirts and shorts, dinner will be provided

Highlight of the day
FREE admission to Songs of the Sea! (U.P $6)

Sms to 82241127 with your name, contact no., number of people going and affiliated Club or contact 82241127 for more details

Closing Date for registration:

12th November 2007

Brought to you by TOUCH Young Arrows

TCS Walkathon: child-likeness featuring Keith =) - Vivien

Had a walkathon this morning. God blessed us with good weather, it wasn't too hot nor raining. The ground was muddy in Padang though, and Keith and Darren (the twins in Tampines Club) were making a fussy over it..haha... I was holding on to Keith as we were making our way to sector B. Then when it was time to set out, i was carrying him over the mud. Then becoz his sandals was dirtied with mud, he was so unwilling to walk. Then he was walking on his heels.. hehe... Soon after i was accompanying him and encouraging him to just walk on.

Just as we reached esplanade, his young and curious mind starting to question. Why are there so many triangles in esplanade? How to build it? Why are there no squares? haha... so i started to explore with him the answers to his questions. And suddenly he popped a question: Is there God? That was the most interesting question that he has asked. From then on, he was asking me many many questions (i guess more than 50 questions haha..) about God, his creations, Jesus, Heaven and Hell... Every question I answered, it expanded his mind to question more! He is amazing! It is amazing that i was able to answer every of his question, of coz I told him "I dunno" for questions that i got no idea. His child-likeness really warms my heart. Although he has many questions, but when he heard the answers, he will accept it and take it as a new lesson that he has learnt! Many times we have become too smart for our own good... I really pray for such childlike faith!

Keith is one of the naughtier boy in club. He usually doesn't respond to me. Whenever I caught him doing something wrong, he will also struggle and try to avoid me. But today, he was sticking to me the entire outing and always having a question to ask me. Then when i need to attend to somebody, he actually asked another volunteer, who overheard our conversation and joined in, "How come Vivien jie-jie know so much things?" Hahaha... I asked him if he wanted to know Jesus, he shrugged his shoulder. Then I asked him if he wants to go heaven, he said yes! He was aware how to get the passport to heaven after the discussion. Suddenly, I see him as a little angel; I really have the compassion for him. I really pray and hope that Keith will be transformed, and his parents can see the change in him! He now is aware that whenever he does bad things, Satan will be happy and whenever he does good things, God is happy. And immediately he was more aware of his behaviour and he tried to "resist" the devil. He was more well-behaved.

When we finally finished the walk, we went back to the bus immediately as we were late. Then I included him into the 100k blessings together with his other twin. And he was happy and seem to understand the options. I asked if he wants to talk to God. He said yes! =D



After we arrived at the club, we waited for the rain to lighten. And when it was time for the boys and his mum to go home, I said goodbye to them and see them next week. Then Keith actually turned back to me and said, "See you tmr! Just kidding! hehe... See u next week!" Can't take it man! So cute lah! Hopefully when i see him next week he will continue to rmb our discussion and not be tempted by the evil ones to be naughty. Really don't know how long will he rmb... But shall continue to pray!

Thank you LORD for using me as an instrument to teach Keith and other kids. Protect them and watch over them. May their childlike faith lead them to your miracles!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen!

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" 1 Tim 4:12

How we survived the camp! - Li Juan

This is the toughest camp I had ever planned. I had never been to a children’s camp before and was unsure about what was expected of the camp and of me. Being the PC of this YA camp was a real challenge. Furthermore, we were only given approximately 2 months to plan, and the age range was wider than previous survival camps.

We started off the camp feeling nervous because we were unprepared and inexperienced. The introduction of the camp was a make or break for this camp, that was what we thought. When the camp started, we couldn’t set the mood right for the campers and all their excitement level was low. First day was a traumatizing day. Although the programme might seem to be going on smoothly, in actual fact almost nothing was going on as planned. The stress was building up really fast in us.

By the second day afternoon, we were all so tired and worn out. The stress was so tremendous in trying to ensure that everything goes on smoothly and to prepare ahead for upcoming activities at the same time. The breaking point came when we couldn’t use the hall for the rest of the camp due to some unforeseen circumstances. This problem can be solved rather easily with some rearrangements, but we just couldn’t cope with any more hiccups and problems. Pastor called for an urgent meeting, and I expected it to be a prayer meeting. Although knowing that we really needed to pray, I was unenthusiastic about it. I was feeling so worn out that I couldn’t even bring myself to pray anymore. When we gathered, we just worshipped the Lord. Every one of us was broken before Him. Our tears just flowed uncontrollably. We cried out for help desperately. We cried out for Him to take away any weariness and burdens. We asked for favor, for strength, for joy to arise in serving. The session really came timely to minister to our souls, to refresh us and I walked out of the classroom knowing that God is in control of the situation.

Throughout the rest of the camp, I learnt never to take God’s blessings and favor for granted. I learnt how when God is with us, nobody can be against us. The 5 days in camp away from civilization was a time of faith-building as I committed everything to Him wholeheartedly, knowing that I could never do anything for the camp with my own strength.

With no groups to take care of, the only chances I got to interact with the children are during their breaks and activities like beach-cleaning and hike. Children being children, the mischievous behaviors were all inevitable. Through the short periods of time I got to mingle with them, the children just opened up and were really friendly. Their enthusiasm and excitement were overwhelming (in a good way!). It touched me to see how they can have that simple faith to trust in someone they hardly know, but they just trusted in you with all their hearts. The innocent smiles, the loving hugs, the genuine tears, the sincere “Thank You” and “I Love You” made all the tears, sweat, time and effort worthwhile. This is the toughest camp I had ever planned, yet it is the most rewarding one too.

You can never comprehend how every small act of love and concern from you can touch a child’s life so greatly. It can mean nothing to you; it means everything to the child.

Isabel's first time @ Survival Camp 2007

When I started as a counselor at the camp, I was just a green horn, knowing nothing about handling kids, but through the short four days, I gained a lot. Many lessons were learnt and I brought home many new experiences. Most importantly, it was a testing of my patience-- something that I had put down on my list of things to work on for 2007. And the camp was just the right place for it. Not only did the camp help me work on my patience, it also opened my eyes to see how little acts of concern and words of encouragement and affirmation could impact the kids’ lives. Our words could either break them or make them a better person.

I wasn’t the only one who gained from this camp. I think my own group of kids benefited a lot from it too. Especially Yang Zhi and Song Yang. During the first day of camp, both of them were two naughty, ‘bo chap’ kids who seem to take pleasure in torturing us by saying that whatever we ask them to do was lame and stupid. But as the days went by, I realized that shouting and getting frustrated at them was pretty useless, thus I decided to use a different approach. Instead of shouting and scolding them, I’ll pull them away from the other group members when they did wrong and talk to them nicely, encouraging them to be good and affirming them when they did the right thing. To my surprise, it worked way better than wasting my breath with countless scoldings. I have to say that I’m very proud of them. I’ve seen them transformed from two nonchalant and rowdy boys into two helpful and quite obedient campers.

Watching their little metamorphosis really encouraged me. A sense of accomplishment filled my heart as I watched the kids head home on the last day. Knowing that I had made an impact in the kids’ life made my time at the camp worthwhile.

If someone were to ask me whether I would help out again next year, I would agree without hesitation. Yes, the camp was tiring. But by just knowing how much u can change a kid’s life in just four short days beats all the negative thoughts harbored about the camp.

Yilin shares her camp moments

I feel that this camp is a learning experience for me. I still remember before the camp, I was very unsure of what to expect from this camp. Many times I wondered will I enjoy it? Will it be successful? After the camp briefing that night, I was looking forward to it because I expected it to be very much like those school camps which I have always enjoyed.

On the day when the kids arrived, I was lost as I really have no idea how to handle all of them. My mood and thoughts got worse with that hoarse voice of mine, making me really feel like giving up. Well, I am really glad I did not give up. On that night, things got better as we slowly know the kids and know the different approaches to handle them.

Throughout the camp, I have seen how they become from quiet solitude individuals to a team of young brave warriors caring and looking out for one another. Those kids who got the most lecturing from me are also those who left the deepest memories in me.

There is one very touching incident I would like to share. There were 2 kids, Izaac and Balfred in my group. Their parents are friends and so they have known each other for sometime. Izaac being the elder one (1 year older) had been instructed to take care of Balfred. Although they quarrelled a lot (almost all of the time started by Balfred), they actually care for each other. When Izaac stopped halfway and refused to climb the mountain, Balfred went down and pushed him up.

During the camp Izaac took care of Balfred, lending him his cup and helping him take rice, he was also always the one to apologise first when they quarrelled. However Balfred always complained about Izaac. Finally Izaac refused to forgive him on the campfire night and after much persuasion the two of them finally become normal again.

During the campfire, Balfred slept on Izaac's lap and when the leader tried to wake Balfred up, Izaac told us not to wake him up and that he would carry Balfred up later. After that, he placed his hand over Balfred's ear, not wanting the noisy atmosphere at the campfire to wake Balfred up. I was so touched by this scene that I almost cried and I felt very proud of him. Despite the bad treatment from Balfred, Izaac forgave him time after time and never hesitate to care for him. He is so young and already he knows how to forgive and forget. It is something
that many adults can never really master. He has reminded me that forgiving someone is a very beautiful thing and that I would like to forgive anyone who had treated me badly.

Overall, this camp had been a wonderful experience for me and I enjoyed it very much.