For our gr.6 leadership training, we drove down to
Shalom center which is on the outskirt of town, away from the glittering
lights, the noise, and everyone else. Adam, a young man from Scripture Union
help led with the teachings, games, and team building activities.
The children bonded very well, worked hard in teams,
and tried hard to serve others rather than themselves. The training was more
focus on what a true leader looks like, best example given being Christ. We also
gave the students different challenges in order to see how each child would
react to and handle the challenge. . .13 pre/teenagers…boy! it is indeed hard work!
Working with the gr.6 has
always been a bit of a challenge so it was an interesting time for me
personally. Being at the camp with them
forced me to over look and ignore the whole “teenage
attitude” and I made it my aim to get to
know each child in a more personal way as far as going down to their faith
and their relationship with Christ. I aimed to win their trust. As I got the
opportunity to talk to some of the kids, I have to be honest and say my heart shrank
within me because like the religious leaders; we can have a great knowledge
about God and still aim to be saved by doing good work or working
our way to God. We can know about God and fail to truly know God in a
personal way. Yet Jesus said: "Every teacher of religious law who
becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from
his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old."
And somehow that is my prayer for some/most of our
kids. That they will not become religious but disciples.
Just outside the centre, there is a prayer path that
leads up to a cross on a little hill; every morning I sat in front of that
cross it was a constant reminder that only Christ has the power to change and
save the lost. In order for our children to start bringing new gems of truth as well as old from their storerooms, it will have to start with God removing the
hearts of stones.
Steve Smith once said: “It is the Holy Spirit’ job
to pick up the stones not ours.”
I have to remind myself of this truth more often
because I can get really frustrated when all the seeds just seem to be falling
on the rocky and thorny soils.
But I have to always
learn to
remember that the farmer cannot do anything for the seed to grow. Man
does not create life. Unless God causes the seed to grow, then
all our effort would be wasted. But with God, the will always be hope.
“It is the same with the kingdom of God, with the growth of
believers, both individually and collectively. Growth is not of man. Growth is
of God. It is the Spirit of God that takes the gospel and changes a man’s
heart, causing him to grow in grace.” Cheng
Sometimes all we can do is pray, sow, and surrender. And at this point I can do nothing else but to lift up my eyes from whom my help come from. The Lord and the Maker of heaven and earth.
"For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." Psalm 71:5
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| The walk |
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| Session with Adam |
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| Projects |
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| Bible study |
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| Morning devotion |
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| The hike! |
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| Rock,Paper,and scissors! |
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| Daybreak |
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| Bond-fire. |
