Some Differences
I’d like to note some of the differences between the camps I’d been to before and this one. This camp had a couple of sessions with Louie, who was the speaker, each day. The camps I’ve been to before have typically had one session each night. I think this additional session took the place of skills classes, or English lessons that I’d known at previous camps.Instead of cabins groups were determined ahead of time of mixed guys and girls, and given names of popular cartoons- that is in this part of the world- Doremon, Transformers, Saber Rider and others. The only one I had ever heard of was Transformers. Individuals were placed in rooms of four which were determined the day camp began, and had nothing to do with groups. This was quite different for me as in my experience one’s cabin determines one’s group.
I really liked having a discussion time with the group after each session. These discussions allowed for processing and interacting more with Louie’s topics. Even as a facilitator, “Adult Advisor”, of discussion in my group, I came to understand more about prayer and what had been said from these times and I hope others also benefitted from it.
The camp awoke early and began with some light exercise in the form of a game. I think this helped to wake everyone up and begin the day with energy rather than allowing sleepiness to linger too long. This benefitted the morning activities a lot in helping people to engage in the devotion time following more than if they had just woken, and also giving them the energy to continue on good naturedly with breakfast and the morning session.
The leaders filled each day with many activities such as quiet times, sessions, tournament games, and etc. Thus the days were actually quite filled and didn’t have as much free time as often is allowed in the other camps I have done. This took some adjustment, but I think it was good at motivating me as I was unfortunately quite tired for much of the camp. I think it allows for a lot to happen in a focused manner through a few days.
All of these differences contributed to a unique camp experience, in addition to the unique and hilarious people who came alongside me. I thought the camp went very well, and I got to know a lot of the people at SIB Kuching, the church where I’ll be attending over the next few weeks. It has given me a great foundation to start my time in Malaysia and also more insight into the variety of ways camp can go.
Some Learning
What I learned about passion attached to prayer really impacts me as even now I am still reflecting on it and learning more. Throughout scripture. How God wants to hear our cries, how often people would plead with God with tears and sackcloth. Fasting and weeping as they passionately committed themselves to their petitions to the Father. I began to realize the physical and emotional state with which the great prayers sought God. Jesus wept to the point of bleeding. In Psalm 55 David describes the emotional state in which he cries at as one of “anguish” and “terror.” Trembling besets him and he “[cries] out in distress…”In addition to this I learned more about prayer, and about Malaysian schools. The schools here are broken into forms- much like our grades. Secondary school has 5 forms and begins at age 12 and finishes at age 17, although an optional form 6 exists. They are taught in Malay and English, and it seems the language of choice is English. With this there isn’t much option for foreign languages- the only one offered is Chinese.
For those going to college on government scholarships they must wait to get a letter telling them where they will go. Much different from the US where one chooses a college and then sees what scholarships they might offer him. Also here the equivalent test to the SAT/ACT may only be taken once, in contrast to the idea that some may take the test 5 or 6 times in hopes of getting a better score.
These are just a few of the things I learned, but I won’t weary you with all the various little information that I gleaned from this time.
