"But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes. 3 He will sit and judge like a refiner of silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord."-- Malachi 3:2-3

Fellowship of Ministers and Christian Churches
Family Camp 2007: FIRE OF GOD

Woohoo! Home sweet home!!! My soft bed awaits me!!!

After our 4-day camp in Paenaan, Antipolo, at 4:00PM, Sunday, I went straight to my room, unpack my bag… but not completely, then stashed it away somewhere in the room. Then I stretched on my bed… Ooooh!! How I miss my sweet bed! My soft pillow… my soft covers… I closed my eyes and just felt the joy snuggling in the covers… Then the soft breeze of the electric fan rocked me to sleep…

Ok. Ano ba ang nangyari bago ang aking mahimbing na tulog? Apat na araw din yun… 4 unforgettable days of refreshing, rejuvenating, recharging, refilling, refueling.

Just like a soldier, worn out from the battle, then going home to the sweet haven of his own camp, meeting with the other sweaty, greasy, and bloody warriors who have fought with all their might. It felt like that. You greet each other with old familiar smiles you haven’t seen for sometime, while bearing your blood-soaked swords and tarnished shields; a scrape on one knee and a cut across the arm. It didn’t matter. It’s good to see the other warriors who have been fighting all this time. It’s good to be together again to take a rest in the presence of your Great Commander.

So much for this metaphoric picture… We had a 4-day camp in Paenaan, Antipolo during the Holy Week…

…and it was a BLAST!!! Wooohooo!!!

The theme was “Fire of God”. Too deep? Too heavy for a youth? Yeah, maybe, at first. But it was just the right theme.

I don’t know how I am going to tell the entirety of the camp… but what I can say is that God once again moved in the midst of His people as we all cry in one voice singing praises and worshipping Him at the top of our lungs! We danced before His presence; our hearts pouring out with inexplicable joy and our body ignoring every muscle that ached. It’s so amazing…

God also moved in our youth cells (ages 15-16). Nung una, iniisip ko pa, ano kaya ang message na puwede kong ishare sa magiging youth cell ko? God gave it to me just in time. Thanks rin sa aking co-leader na si Rems. Meron pa dung pasaway nung una sa group namin. But by God’s grace, we were able to endure him… hehe. By God’s grace, Rems and I lived up with our group name: PATIENCE. (From the 9 frutis of the spirits). Alam ko namang may kabutihang natatago sa kanya. Haha! Kaya yun, at the end of the camp, mabait na sha. Although makulet pa rin. But I believe God also spoke to him and moved him in some way. Kaya alam ko may nagbago rin sa kanya. Praise God for what He did in our youth cell! Sana i-treausre nila ang munting token na binigay namin sa kanila.

Then there’s the revival nights. All campers gather in the auditorium and sing praises and dance in worship before the Lord. Afterwards the Word of God (freshly baked with God’s holy fire!). Then altar call to respond the word and to the move of the Holy Spirit. Then more praise and worship ‘till the end.

In the first night, many people received Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The heavens must be rejoicing! Then those who want to be filled with Holy Spirit and speak in different tongues were also prayed for. It was just awesome!

In the second night, the speaker did not have a chance to share the Word. Diretso na agad sa altar calling. First, pinagpray ang mga worship leaders, cupbearers (backup singers), musicians--lahat ng part sa worship team to be filled fresh with the fire of God.. Hindi ako papahuli! Then afterwards, tinawag naman ang mga involve sa computer. Hindi na ako umalis sa puwesto ko! Hoooo!!! Double blast of fire! Haha! Tapos marami pang sumunod na ipinagpray. Parang ngang last day na nga eh.

On the third night… heto na! There’s this new thing that we learned from our visitors (missionaries: the team of Ptr. Dennis Teague). The Tunnel of Fire. The pastors / ministers from our different churches formed two lines, facing each other. People will pass through the line and each pair of pastors / ministers will pray for that person. The person will pass through the line… through the tunnel until he reach the end… if he reach the end…

Because of the strong presence of God, people just could not stand on their feet. They all just fall down. And if they fall down while in the “tunnel”, they have to be carried out of the “tunnel” and give them some time with the Lord. Thank God I reached the end of the tunnel with my knees strong and stable. (The presence of the Holy Spirit manifests in different ways in different people.) At the end of the tunnel, Sis. Dianne met me and she just touched my head and prayed for me. Pinapakiramdaman ko ang knees ko kung magsheshake or manghihina. Pero stable pa rin. Tongues lang ng tongues…. Sige lang. Pinapakinggan ko ang prayer ni Sis. Dianne. Then she whispered to me… a word from God!!! She said, “The fire that God is giving you is the fire to stand up on what you believe… That is the fire that He is giving you.” I took hold of it and claimed it! Thank you Lord!

Haay… words are not enough to describe God’s amazing and awesome power. When He reveal Himself to you through His glory and magnificent power… it’s just… indescribable… no vocabulary could fit its description. Parang ang gusto mo lang sana ma-experience nalang nila ang naexperience mo para maintindihan nila…

Thank God for another refreshing camp. Indeed, indeed… the warriors were able to rest and refresh themselves. And they were all ready to get back into battle. But the battle is not that which is seen. But it is a battle within.

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12).

Back to my room...

...the next moment I opened my eyes, guess what time was it? 8:00 AM, Monday. 16 hours straight of sleep! Lahat ng pagod naitulog ko na. Grabe. dalawang araw ko ring tulog yun!

Kakapagod talaga camp. Pero hindi naman matatawaran ang kapalit nun...