I had prayer requests for the BPGC Youth Camp from 9-13 June 2006 but I didn't have time to put it up. As the Assistant Camp Commandant, I told myself that although I would help in the running of the camp, assisting a younger Camp Commandant, I would really focus on the role of being a spiritual guide to the older youths as they run the camp for youths aged 13-19. There was a total of 45 of us. I asked for God's protection and wisdom as we lead the group.
Today, we are all back, safe and still on a spiritual high. It was awesome to see how God works in His Perfect Timing according to His Gracious Will.
At Tekam, we climbed trees and saw durians, bananas, jackfruits, jambu, pomelo and tangerines at the fruit plantations. The fruits were so sweet and fresh! Gigantic monitor lizards also almost surrounded us all the time.
We took the boat taxi to Taman Negara and saw wild boars and porcupine at our hostels. Oh yes, we saw monkeys and one cute squirrel too!
To reach the rapids, we took a 4 seater long boat on a 30 mins journey, we caught sight of otters frolicking on the river banks. When we reached the river bank, we had to wade through water and hiking past trees over 200 years old. We placed our trust in God as we went into the river one by one, letting go of the rope in the middle of the rapids, allowing the strong current to bring us 100m down the river. Thank God that the leeches didn't stick to most of us. Mountain climbing back to the starting point became inevitable at the end of the river crossing.
I saw a unique fern, and yes, some youths confirmed that the fern was blue. We walked up hundreds of steps to reach malaysia's longest canopy walk. Wobbling bridges and broken planks, we even climbed up shaking ladders on the canopy. Slowly but surely, we reached the highest point 45m above grounds and savoured the scenary that God had painted for us.
It was an 8 seater long boat that we took to the bat cave. We stepped on roots and trekked past fallen trees to reach the bat cave. With each step by faith, we moved in the dark, relying very much on the few sunlight that seeped through the holes at the top of the cave. Bat shit was everywhere and we had to prowl flat down on a rock to move up, we had lean backwards to slide down to move forward. We saw a white snake which feeds on the bats to survive. It was resting in the bat cave. Numerous bats were hanging all over the top of the cave. Occasionally a bat or two would just fly over our heads. So close that you can almost feel the wings and fur brushing across. At the end of the bat cave, it was like a mini rock climbing activities climbing out of the limestone cave.
Each day began with prayers and QT and ended with worship and messages. God was working in our midst, speaking to everyone in unique and memorable ways.
We went to the waterfalls on the last day. A beautiful finale that God brought forth for us. We were worried that the waterfalls might just be a trickle for the lack of rain. But God brought forth a heavy downpour on the last night of the camp when everyone was enjoying the Talent Night in the cozy conference room.
The journey to the waterfall was special. We had to change to a smaller bus, a bus without aircon. On a narrow road into the jungle, tree leaves stuck into the bus and greet us as we moved up and down steep slopes. There was once we moved so up and at the peak of the slope, we couldn't see the road ahead and we all shouted "Pray!!!". What was amusing was that a praying mantis appeared in front of me immediately after we went down the slope. We saw rubber plantations, dogs, cats, chickens and chicks following the hen. We saw cows. I saw a yellow and black lizard about 1 metre long. The surrounding were serene. Streams flowed quietly as the local children played among themselves.
Reaching the bottom of the hill where the waterfall is, we began trekking again. It was there were most of us finally saw the renowned leeches which we had been expecting since the beginning of the camp. Millipedes, Centipedes, Caterpillars and Ants were nothing new. But I smiled at the butterfies - yellow, yellow and black, orange, purple, blue! So many types of butterflies greeted me as we moved on. And then we heard the rushing sound of water. Looking ahead, what a beautiful waterfall!
The streams were clear and as I stepped in, I saw fishes swimming in the shallow waters. I missed the crabs which they said were found at the other corner of the pond. Then as we walked towards the end of the waterfalls, i just couldn't help it but sing "Our God is an Awesome God" out loud! We were hugging each other in the water. It was many pple's first time seeing a waterfall. To me, it was a magnificent first time!
On the way home, everyone wasn't sleepy. We just wanted more and more.
We had bonded deeper in fellowship and enjoyed the Presence of God. A God of Miracles and a God of Encouragement as He answers our many prayers.
My Blessed Life, For His Glory, By His Grace!
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