Youth Camp – True North Missionaries Journal

The Lord Has You – Day 2

Camp Reloaded CFC-YFC East Youth Camp 2003

Yes, that is me refusing to make melodies. I was a rebel. Though it may seem funny looking back just how much of a disobedient brat I was, I will always treasure this youth camp for what it instilled in me. For the first time in my life, I experienced (with complete awareness) God’s victory.

Albeit, (like we say at all youth camps) “it was only the beginning”, I was quick to go back to my old ways soon after. Despite that, for one amazing weekend I was indeed able to overcome all of my shortcomings and all of my failures. I was able to overcome my pride and sense of immaturity to actually get to know others who sincerely wanted to know and love God more intimately. Little did I know just how powerful the prayers of the service team were.

In retrospect, it’s true what they say that God’s plan is so intricately woven. One of the brothers ended up being one of my closest friends and I’ve had the pleasure of serving alongside of him for many years both within Campus-based, and within the Core Group of Pacific Region. One of the sisters was at the time one of my closest friends (and still is to this day) audaciously serving the impoverished and the innocent in both the Gift of Life Ministry and Ancop Canada (within SFC). There was also a sister I had just met at the camp. I probably said “hi” to her once throughout its duration. We ended up serving Music Ministry together, then eventually community-based and then eventually we became counterparts and close friends also. Her deep love for God and selflessness in serving others eventually lead her to study to become a Salesian sister. Who knew? The Lord really did “have us” after all.

One thing I can say for certain, our lives (willingly or unwillingly) were never truly the same after that weekend.

“I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you” Philippians 1:3

42

“…open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you….”

Lord, you have blessed us with 42 at Camp Witness! I’m not too sure why it didn’t dawn upon me earlier but the last time I was present at a camp of 42, it was when I joined CFC Youth. Almost 13 years ago you called 42 of your children in Winnipeg to attend a YFC camp named Exodus. Today I stand in a room very similar to the one I once stood in being exactly like these youth, not knowing where my involvement with this group would go.

But you knew! Imagine this, Winnipeg has sent 5 of their very own to train and become full-time pastoral workers and ALL 5 of them were present at camp Exodus. Arnold Rodriguez (my God father aka ninong) was the young area head at the time of the camp and was overseeing it. Dexter Suban was the camp head and (ate) Rina Castillo was one of the facilitators. Janice Tolledo-Banaria and myself were mere participants at the time. Only YOU knew!

I truly believe that it’s providential that this camp was called WITNESS. In the very details of it, I could see and feel our Lord’s presence. In witnessing these new participants complete their camp it allowed me to witness my own story and how it’s come full circle.

As I look at these young and beautiful faces, I cannot even begin to fathom your plans for them. This very feeling compels me to want to kneel in awe at your wonderful works! Amongst these 42, there may be ftpws, nuns, priests, future mothers and fathers and blessed singles. It humbles me to know that you would use me to call your children back to you.

Lord, you are limitless and you orchestrated all of this to achieve purpose in all our lives. You have breathed your Holy Spirit in all of us once again and have allowed us to physically see your harvest; how real it is, how real they are! Thank you Lord for showing me this. Thank you for holding our hearts and feeding our souls. Thank you for this walk down memory lane. Thank you for this call!

Unmistakable

I’ve always wondered what’s the best way to describe to others how I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Last weekend, Calgary held a youth camp in the beautiful town of Canmore. I was listening to the speaker and the sharer for Talk 4. The sharer described his encounter with the Holy Spirit as an unmistakable sense. The dictionary describes this word as “impossible to mistake or misinterpret”.

Last weekend just affirmed this:
1. Being led into deep and prayerful worship by a young CFC-Youth leader who was one of the kids I handled as a KFC Couple Coordinator, that’s unmistakably the Holy Spirit.
2. Seeing my eldest son, who was only 3 years old when we joined the community in 1999, lead more young people to Christ as one of the team leaders for the camp, that’s unmistakably the Holy Spirit. Being led by your child into worship is an amazing experience that each parent should experience.
The presence of the Holy Spirit? It’s unmistakable.

“Breathe into me Holy Spirit, That all my thoughts may be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.”