CFYF Summer Camp 09

Christian Faith Youth Fellowship is the youth arm of the Christian Faith Churches in Crame, Real Quezon, Pila and Sta. Maria in Laguna.

This year’s camp was held in CTM Campsite, Llavak Quezon, April 6-10, 2009 with the theme SURVIVOR Battlegrounds (Ephesians 6:10-12)

There were 80 campers divided into 6 groups; Paul, Daniel, Job, Joshua, Joseph and David, all of whom are recorded survivors, conquerors and victors in our history.

CFC has been annually conducting five day summer youth camps to gather the youth members of all four churches in a place where they will meet, enjoy the games and activities and together, worship the living God. This year, one thing was certain among all the organizers: that they, though divided by individualities and different upbringings were united in one primary goal; that in this camp we will once again encounter the Lord.

Preparations take nearly an entire year. Portion of our lives are shared through time and effort to put everything together; from finding a venue, identifying the theme, topics, speakers, games, technical requirements, prizes, to fund raising activities, everything was intricately planned. It was like a major production, a one time performance. We had to do it like there was no other chance of doing it. That we had to give it our best shot. Because we were doing it for a very special audience, our very important guest, the author of artistry and craftsmanship, the very meaning of perfection---- the creator and giver of life.

The part that took most of our energy was to prepare our selves and pray that something divine happens. That the Lord visits us and that he deals with all of us. Heaven was stormed with constant prayers and pleads that He allows us to experience Him even for just once in all those five days. That we, though sinners may find ourselves embraced by God.
And He did not fail us.

And He, the creator of everything beautiful and wonderful....the beginning and the end….He embraced us and touched our hearts…

We, who were sinners, lonely wanderers….were treated special by our kind God.
That He did not look into our mistakes, our failures…
He looked at us with so much love.

That even on the first day, he has allowed us to feel Him as He touched our souls…

And we saw miracles…young people who’ve grown into a world filled with pride and restlessness began to burst into tears, lifting up their hands in sweet surrender…surrendering their pains, their cares, their pride, their sins, their lives into the author of life.

People from different corners were speaking in different languages…unidentifiable languages…
And the succeeding days were becoming more and more satisfrying…as God continued to allow Himself to be felt by now, most if not all of us.

More of the attendees were starting to understand what was really happening. More were accepting the fact that we are sinners, filthy trash that did not deserve anything good. Yet we were given salvation…and that we didn’t have to pay a single thing for it….that it was free for all of us…all because of the kindness and goodness of the most powerful being. Then more young people were laying down their lives at the foot of our Lord…accepting Him as their personal Savior…admitting their mistakes, asking for forgiveness and praying that everything’s that broken in them be fixed…

It was a lovely sight.

A true miracle.

That youngster s who are used to speaking of painful, wrathful words were now uttering words of worship and thankfulness to our dear God.

Ang salitang P&%$#a^% I%@ ay napalitan na ng Praise the Lord!

It was not a work of human hands.

Only a divine being can cause people to change.

And we felt honored, privileged…we were special…that God took take time to come to us. We were deeply loved.

It was five days of a memorable experience which we will surely treasure for the rest of our lives.

It was something to give us courage and strength as we faced our real battleground…outside the camp venue…into the world…and the battle within ourselves…

It is something we can look back to…in the future…in times of difficulties…in times of troubles…when there seems to be no motivation to continue in fighting for our beliefs…

That once in our young age…together with our friends and colleagues…we have experienced God…

And we will experience more of Him.