Reflections

Well, time to clear the dust off my blog and do some updates.

Shall begin with something I notice at the top of my blog. If you hadn't noticed by now, there's a little ticker at the top of my blog that was supposed to countdown towards my church's Survivor Hutang Melingtan trip in Dec. Well, this ticker now becomes a count of how many days have passed SINCE the trip.

At first, it was an honest mistake on my part, forgetting to remove or update the ticker. As time passes, it turned into a reminder reminding me how many days passed since I went there. It has been nearly a month since we reach there on the first day. Wish to remember it as it was a milestone camp for RYM teens. Many "first times" happened during the camp for many of them, including me. For me, it's my first time bringing a bunch a kids all the way to Perak and my first time witnessing how bridge can be played from Day 1 all the way to Day 4. I took a bus grp during my Korea trip and the experience was nothing like this. =) I guess that's why I like hanging out with young people. I'm a gamer at heart. And also, if my memory serves me well, it is the first time I went on an RYM organized overseas trip. Considering the years I've been in RYM, it is pretty symbolic for me to go for the ministry's first overseas trip. (not counting overseas mission trip). I'm not sure if this is also RYM's first overseas trip but as far as I rem, we seldom organize overseas trip as a ministry. That's a pretty awesome milestone if you ask me. And 2 thumbs up to Esther for putting this camp together in such a short time. The odds against her are all too familiar; short time span to plan, busy schedule herself, many uncertainties around the camp but she rose to the challenge and executed exceedingly well. It is a good sign when "old folks" like me need not step up =) and before I know it, the camp was over without any major glitches.

There is one thing I always forgot to mention to my teens and that is: a few days after Christmas, on one of those days when I'm finally back at home (amidst all the staying overnights, celebrations, outings and activities...), I saw a letter addressed to me. It was a Christmas greeting card send by one of the teens from the church in Hutang Melingtan. It was then that I remembered giving my address to them and asking them to mail me something so that I'll reply. (Been 2 weeks and I have yet to reply them) It was one of those moments I really felt the sincerity of the teens there. Though shy, introverted and passive, they still touch our hearts with their genuine sincerity towards their friends from afar. Well, I better buck up and reply them soon.

And by the way, to all RYM Teens who are reading this, they are asking for your address so as to write to you, however, if you are not comfortable, you can consolidate your letters/mails/greetings with me and I'll send them out using my address.