Work.Rest.Play (Focus Church Camp 18th - 21st April 2014)

The day to get out of anything related with university, homework, assignments, you name it! A day to refresh my congested brain. Actually it was a 4 days 3 nights camp, so it is exceeds what I actually needed. Moreover, the upcoming holiday, easter break season, can't wait for that one. Bring it on BABY! 

The first day of camp was the Good Friday. A public holiday in which there are less busses operating. Regardless everyone had to gather at uni as there was a chartered bus. Cim and I had to walk from our home to uni which took us the longest 45 minutes. I was bringing a luggage and the wind gushing towards me totally made me dizzy. I literally felt that some wind might penetrate to my skin and into me; aching me. I hope the sentences I just described would make you realise that it was a windy morning. 

When we arrived, Cim had to rush to a toilet somewhere while I would just check in for the both of us and put in our luggage up till the point I was stopped by an old Chinese couple. They were playing a traditional ball (shuttlecock or some sort), idk what it is called. But anyway, they called me, asking me questions in Chinese. I told them that I can't speak Chinese to hint them to start speaking to me in English instead. Instead, they kept talking to me in mandarin! I had to reply them as a sign of "politeness" even though I could only just pick out a few words from the whole long sentence. The weirdest thing about our conversation was that she was asking questions in Chinese while I answered in English. And the conversation lasted a while. 

So off we go!!! 

The bus journey was full of laughter and frustrating riddles. I could not help myself but to doze off during the trip though. What a waste of quality bonding time with fellow bus riders.

As soon as we arrived to Port Hacking, we had to check into the rego counter to get our name tags and our work.rest.play booklet. Afterwards, there was an opening welcome talk. Followed by a morning tea, lunch and then free time till dinner.

morning tea! this is super good! idk what it's called but it tasted like
happiness bursting in your mouth

lunch!! 

wrap lunch

an amazing view aye

it's game time

whose arm is longer

unto found this on the ground. I thought it was a llama but I was disappointed
to see it was a dog. but anyway, it was cute

who can jump the furthest

playing "Tak benteng", i have no idea what the english term for this. I am pretty sure I mispelled the game too

fluffy clouds

playing poo

this cinnamon cake is the bomb! I ate 3 huge slices! 

after the games, we went down to the dock.

notice the rainbow! it was completely unintentional. 

dinner time

lasagna

lasagna for dinner

After dinner, we had our first talk!

Talk 1. Work: More than just a job?
Work satisfaction can be attained when you're good at what you do, love what you do, others loving what you do, and what you do is good.

As written in Genesis 1, humans are created in the image of God, while animals are created in its own kind. However, it is not physical likeness that we are like God because God has no physical form (Deut 4:12). But we are created to have dominion over the earth and subdue the earth. There was "no bush in the field" before man is put to work the field (Gen 2:5). Looking after this planet is our response to control the earth. In addition to this, male and female are assigned both similar and different responsibilities on earth. The similar factor is to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (Gen 2:28). On the contrary, man has to work the ground (Gen 2:5) while woman works as a helper that is fit for the man (v.18). God created mankind to work together and look after the animals and provide food for themselves. And everything he created is good. Up till the point when the fall happened.

The fall happened when man started to disobey God. This led to mankind being banished from Eden. Things started to get difficult then. Man and woman are subjected to frustration which was by the will of God (Romans 8:20). Man is cursed in pain during the days of his life. He is created to work the ground, but now working the ground becomes hard (Gen 3:17). Woman is cursed to pain in childbearing, the task she has to do to multiply (Gen 3:16). Desiring to rule over husband has become a major issue in modern women these days too. Sin is spread from city to city. Humans want to make a name for themselves (Gen 11:4) God comes to judge for his people and destroy the human worldliness. Even achievements came from man's envy of one another (Ecclesiastes 4:4). We are then God's workmanship. Through Jesus, we are able to be created twice (human being and reborn) and die once (physical, not spiritual).

melting moments! 

it literally melts in your mouth

Day Two.. 

It was a beautiful morning. With a great night sleep, I could not wait how amazing today would be. Being so blessed with the amazing opportunity to gather with other fellow christians to hear the word of God being spoken. Not to mention, being encouraged by it in waiting for the day to come.

breakkie

love the croissants

rainbow baby gummies

morning tea - brownies

look at this beauty <3

Talk 2. Rest: Reshaping Our Work

A leaf by Niggle was written by Tolkien, the author of LOTR and Hobbit. It was about a perfectionist painter called Mr Niggle who only painted a leaf throughout his life.

The rest of the creation story is followed by a day in which God rests. It is the seventh day and God blesses it (Gen 2:1-3). The purpose of creation is the rest of God. Notice that on the seventh day the word "morning and evening" is not written unlike the other six days in which ended with "morning and evening". There is no marking off, no completion on the seventh day. Nonetheless, it is eternal. God continues to rest and mankind are welcome to enter God's rest.

After the fall (sin), mankind who used to walk with God (sharing fellowship) (Gen 3:8) are unable to go back to eternal life. The rest of God in this case is not where we belong. Regardless, God still cares for his people to bring them back to his rest again. In Isaiah 51:3, the promised land is seen as Eden. God is rescuing mankind back to his rest. God speaks of a better Joshua, Jesus, that will bring God's people to a place beyond Eden.

Creation is merely a shadow to what is known of Heaven which is the reality. We ought to remember the work that we are appointed to do are just maintenance work. It does not determine our golden ticket to Heaven. Only by the blood of Jesus that can bring us to the kingdom of heaven. Moreover,  our godliness is important to have dominion over the world keeping in mind not to fall away from the real Christianity to be accepted in this world as Heaven awaits. 

chicken burger

there was a worm in cim's burger. spot the worm!! 

these guys taking selfies of themselves

<3

Captain's ball competition between church congregations

scrumptious! 

kriska doing assignment

the selfie elective..

I chose an elective entitled #thisismylife as I was pretty curious about what it can impact in Christian lives especially during a social media era like now. Frankly, I am active in the so-called virtual world like to name a few: blogger, tumblr, facebook, snapchat. I used to be active in more like instagram and twitter but I kind of lost interest. I think I consider myself more of a hipster rather than a mainstream user as I prefer social medias that peers around me are not familiar of or rarely use: tumblr, snapchat and BLOGGER. Basically I took this elective to see whether I could somehow change my point of view or even use social medias in a beneficial and helpful manner to me and others.

One of the examples used in this elective was the phenomena of "selfie". Obviously, you guys have known about this word. It is when you take a photo of yourself or with a bunch of closed friends; focusing on faces. With the advancement of technology, most mobile phones provide a front camera that aids to getting better selfie picture results. As users would pose their best face shot before clicking the "capture" button of the camera app. Creating a self-image that looks pretty/handsome/cool that can attain people's likes or other people to see a beauty trait in you. Posing to be "accepted by the world". I am not against selfies but a little way overboard could lead you to be addicted to it. For instance, letting people to know your true colours, creating a barrier of your true self from the virtual side of you.

In Genesis, God created us in the image of God. A transformation happened with the death of Jesus Christ. We used to be enemies of God setting things on flesh, dead, not belonging to God are completely changed a 180 degree to someone who are children of God, peace, no condemnation, and alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:1-22, Romans 8:1-17, 31-32). We are loved by God. Our Christian identity should outshine every worldly criteria.

Implications that could be retrieved from this elective would be to use social media wisely and purposefully. Think first about the others whether your post would be helpful to them, or could trigger nasty intentions. Show the gospel through grace as the day is drawing near. Put your confidence in Christ. Make use of social media to keep in touch with fellow mates and strut your best confidence in Christ.

ps: the selfie above with the people joining the elective was not the best face, I even got a double chin, but hey, that's the real me, the Crystal that has excessive adipose fat cells and I don't even care about that. Because what is important that I am confident in Christ that have totally changed me from what was known an enemy of God and now heirs in Christ! We are united in Christ.

dinner! 

lamington ! 

look at the moon! 

Day Three.. 

Woke up to see the sunrise. I had a great night sleep which hindered me to wake up early. Thankfully, my alarm woke Sharon and Ci Icing up which later they were calling me to wake up because it was too noisy. LOL. sorry. To our greatest fortune (I am being sarcastic), it was a cloudy morning that the clouds covered up the sun and we did not see it rising. It was a great morning though. I was in love with the various spectrum landscape.

waiting for the sun to rise

our camp site- Chaldercot

this looks like a cigarette butt. the spiderwebs are a beauty

read this as "pyruvate".. too much biochem in mind. 

I was uber sleepy! my eyes were burning

witnessing sun rise! almost there

yep, it was cloudy so we couldn't see the sun

oysters everywhere

playing basketball early in the morning

aww he looks so friendly

ci icing and caleb

scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast

i ate cup noodle as well

morning tea after bible study 

Talk 3. Play: According to God's Rule(s)

As God is the creator of the whole universe, he can have delight in mankind. God is refreshed as he takes joy in his creation. God talks and walks with man, meaning that there is a good relationship with man before man fell into sins (Gen 3:8). After the fall, God was grieved (Gen 6:5-7). God sending the flood is not a game that he enjoys to destroy mankind. He even had to send his son, Jesus Christ, to die for us just because he wants us to receive eternal rest with him in heaven. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrew 12:2). Jesus is willing to go through the cross because he would have that joy of being vindicated. Jesus has joy when he is raised. He completed his work and God plays when victory is in Jesus' hands.

Salvation is our joy

beef burger

people playing volley

you shall not pass

selfie on the last day

havaianas all the way

cookie nom nom nom 

trying to light up the campfire

campfire! 

Day Four.. 

Time goes by super duper fast when you are having fast. It was the last day of camp..

caro braiding a bishonen early in the morning

LOL. priceless

pancakes on a sunday

group photo

hot cross buns in a cute basket

cabin 5 dwellers

other group's photo

cabin 4 mates! 

haubert cleaning while sticking his tongue out simultaneously

OO

resting

with ci copin

Talk 4. Work, Rest and Play

Everything is about God's pleasure and His delight. We live for God's work, rest and play. Jesus become the righteousness of God and we are the ambassadors of Christ to teach the gospel for our generation. Ambassadors represent the country in the foreign land to give the message of Jesus to this world. Moreover, our bodies will not last forever, the finishing is what matters (Hebrews 12:16). Whatever we are, please Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:9).

bus partner sonia! 

backseaters

bus leader Andrew! 

It was such a great opportunity for me to be able to attend church camp with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. To be reminded once more that there is nothing comparable to eternity in heaven or hell. The world we live in now is just a temporary environment as we are ambassadors of heaven. With the provided amount of time before Jesus' second coming, it is our main priority to spread the gospel to all our beloved ones so that they are able to receive salvation that is in Jesus Christ. Therefore, with a race that has been set forth upon, we should maintain our faith till the day to come, glorifying Jesus Christ, God's only Son.