by Mary Ann Santa Ana
This was my first year attending GSCC’s annual family camp and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. As tiring and rigorous the preparations were with J-YA and J-Youth weeks prior to and during camp, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. To be able to take part in such a successful event was both humbling and satisfying. The fact that we, the youth and the young adults, were the ones to lead the church during camp this year was a huge undertaking. But knowing we did all this for the glory of God made all the stress and responsibilities worth going through. I left camp feeling like a new and better person. My life after camp turned a complete 180 degrees for the better. The theme of this year’s camp was 3Rs -Return, Restore, Renew. And I can honestly say that I have returned to God and feel restored and renewed with Him once again. It is one of the best feelings in the world.
Not only was the experience fun and exciting, it was very emotional as well. One thing about camp I was looking forward to was the water baptism. It was my heart’s desire to recommit my life to God, so I decided to get re-baptized. When the moment came, I started feeling different emotions: nervousness, excitement, happiness, anxiousness. As everyone gathered around the pool to witness the special occasion, worship songs filled the air. Emotions ran high as there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere to be seen. I had never been overcome with so much emotion in my life. I felt the Holy Spirit within me and I was happy to have shared that moment with my church family especially with my J-YA family being there for support.
On his baptism experience, Carlos Chavez, one of the youths that were baptized that day stated: ”My water baptism was a breath-taking experience. It’s as if every burden was wiped away from me and I was born again. It felt so good to be released from my sins because I was so tired carrying so much weight in my conscience. It has been the best decision I have ever made in my life. It changed my life dramatically. I’ve become a better person and, most of all, closer to God.” Rachelle Vo, another young adult baptized that day talked about her life after being baptized: “My decision to get baptized, I know, would be beneficial for my spiritual life. The day I got back from camp, I experienced a lot of hardships, but I knew God was by my side the whole time. It has changed my life for the better, made me a better person and built up my faith.” My baptism holds a significant place in my heart and that day will always be a memory I will go back to every time I feel like I am slipping away from the Lord. That particular memory will remind me of my purpose as a child of God and all the plans He has for me.
Friday night activities ran later than expected but as exhausted as a lot of us were that night, it did not stop us from coming together for one important aspect of camp: Challenge Night. Gathered around the campfire, participants volunteered to testify about their walks as Christians, on the impact of this year’s camp on them and about their being part of GSCC. Later Pastor Oyette issued us the challenge to recommit our lives to the Lord. As Pastor Oyette, Pastor Jun and Pastor Dani stood and waited, campers started coming up to be prayed for. It was amazing to behold how much the Holy Spirit was working in everyone’s heart that night. While sitting there, God revealed to me that not only were these individuals my friends and people I go to church with – they were my family. That night I thanked God for bringing me to this church and blessing me with a church family who are always there to look out for me.
Overall the experience has brought me so much closer to the Lord and I haven’t felt so on fire for God! And just being able to get closer to everyone those past 3 days at camp made me feel at home. I never had a church family this loving before and I feel blessed to be a part of this family of God-fearing and God-loving individuals. Through this camp God definitely made known all the plans He has for me: as a Christian, as a praise and worship singer-leader, and as a new Pillar. This year’s camp was a blessing worth experiencing. We all left camp as new individuals as we focused on returning to the Lord, allowing Him to restore our faith and being renewed through His grace. Even with all the team spirit, the friendly competition and the chance to temporarily escape the pressures of daily life, at the end of it all, the camp was all about the Lord and giving Him all the praises He deserves. This year’s camp was a great blessing, and like everyone else, I can’t wait for camp to come around again next year.
