by Gerline Inocencio It has been 2 years already since I first joined Camp Calye and I am still in awe of how it had affected my life. Call it an unforgettable experience or the "best summer ever", but those aren't enough to describe the feelings. An understatement, as one may say. Have you ever felt waking up every morning and wishing for the day to end already? That's how my life was. If I never attended that camp, I would continue being a zombie - living a dead life. However, after joining the camp, there was never a chance that I've regretted being part of it. In fact, I've always asked God this question, "Lord, bakit ngayon lang? Why not few years earlier?" The story behind this question is because I felt like I wasted few years of my life walking endlessly on the wrong road. Well, when you walk an endless road, you eventually become tired. The worst thing that happened is that I have dropped out from my supposedly last 3 semesters in college. The reason? I don't know. Just kidding. Hard to admit but I lost the will to live anymore, feeling like I have no more reason to do the stuff that I should do. I lost my dreams, my passion, became devoured by my own negatrons (or negative thoughts). To spare you the details, I'll conclude it this way. Camp Calye which was titled Lipad during that time made me really soar up high: in my relationships with family, friends, self, and with God. It also made me aim and achieve high in my career and studies. Now, I am about to finish what I left hanging with only one semester left. Hooray! Not just that, I learned to never take things for granted. In school and in life, I make sure to always learn. One thing I am sure of: God emptied me only to fill me up. He filled me up even more to make me share His grace, love, and blessings to other people. One last awesome story that I really want to share with you. Even after being immensely blessed as a camper, Camp Calye continued blessing me. Now, as a youth servant, a camp facilitator, opportunities to build more friendships are in front of me. From "walang forever" to "may forever (with full conviction)," I can testify to many things that last forever! It only takes one step of courage to leave the comfort zone. That one step to allow God to lead us in His mysterious way of blessing us to the fullest. Just enjoy the ride even if the road ahead is a little bit bumpy. Because at the end of a long and winding road, there awaits a paradise that God wants us to see.
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by Dessa Delos Santos God chooses his servants and he calls them by name. I was called. I’m sure my name was called. How? Because I was led to him, through the youth camp. Camp Calye Lipad during the summer of 2013 was the very first time I went out of my comfort zone. Joining the youth camp was not something I gladly decided on. It wasn’t my choice in the first place. This was my parents’ “solution” to my then walled up social life. They say it was about time I expand my horizons and make friends as I was supposed to be living my teenage life the way it should be lived. The camp turned out to be more than just a simple socialization experience. Instead it was a deep and enriching spiritual ride. During the camp I came to fill the emptiness I didn’t even know existed in the first place. Hearing the stories of my group mates I realized how much I complained about things that didn’t even matter and I was made to see how much blessings I actually had. My eyes were opened to what was more of the world. Most importantly, I established my relationship with the Lord. The youth camp was the door that opened me to the LOJ community. It led me into countless opportunities to offer greater service to the Lord. As the camp was ending, I couldn’t believe how sad I was to be parting with the people once strangers to me four days ago. I didn’t make friends, instead I made a family. I was truly blessed after the camp. It lit a fire inside me to serve the Lord. I make sure I keep this fire burning for as long as I could. Right now, I happily serve the Lord through the dance ministry. I wouldn’t be here at this point in my spiritual journey without the youth camp that started it all. by Jasper King
It was in 2012 when I first joined Camp Calye. Hindi ako pinilit nila mama like the other kids. I was the one who asked my parents to pay for my camp fee together with the 3 of my cousins because I really wanted to have an adventure for summer. It was a one heck of ride, I experienced the awesomest slide, which is the mud slide, yes we love mud. And that very crazy obstacle course. Today, I’m just 17 years old, but I have experienced a lot of things in life. I was an alcoholic, a smoker and a easy-go-lucky, go-with-the-flow kid. Yes, that is a lot for a teenager, and that WAS me. I looked for true joy and true companion in life. God brought me to the Feast, wherein he led me to the registration booth for Camp Calye. Now, I am an intercessor who loves through prayers, a dancer, who ministers through my moves and a loving servant who disciples through relationships. I am ashamed of what I have done. But I am proud of what God has done in my life. From that crazy kid, who first joined that camp without any expectations aside from having fun. To this strong, brave, faithful, loyal and loving gentleman writing his testimony on how God has changed him. God’s love and grace has turned my world UPSIDE DOWN. He has turned my mourning into dancing, He has turned my sorrow into joy. Improvement will not happen overnight, it is a life long journey. Just like what happened to me. J I am Jasper King M. Casimiro, a living testament of God’s grace, love and healing power. |
AuthorThese articles were written and sent in by young people who experienced Camp CALYE. They were blessed immensely. And they want you to experience that same blessing too. Archives
April 2016
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