October 16, 2008

• OCF Spring Camp @ The Grampians

  The Grampians! I’ve seen so many picture of this place – all suggesting that it’s one of the places depicting Australia’s true beauty. Time to make some plans!

  Initially, I wanted to make this an outing for OCF Berwick. Like a short getaway kinda thing. Then God poked this idea at me – why not make it a camp? Hence OCF Berwick’s first camp and probably OCF Australia’s first ever Spring Camp.

  

  We were away from Berwick (or in my case Clayton) from the 1-3rd October, just 3 weeks before exam. It was a 4 hour drive from Berwick and wasn’t really hard to get to. Made a stop a few petrol stations and winery after Ararat. We stayed at a town called Hall Gap, which is right in the middle of the Grampians National Park. 

  

  I wanted this to be my relaxing getaway. I only got half of it – only a getaway, but it sure wasn’t relaxing! There was so much for me to plan and coordinate prior to camp. I’m glad it all worked out.. thank God for friends!

  The idea was to make it a half camp, half outing. That’s with worship, sermons, sessions, games and other camp related stuff into a synthesis with full outings, exploring a holiday destination and tons of picture taking. It was different I guess. Usually in OCF we head off to a far away campsite and only stay there without exploring the surrondings. Makes you wonder why can’t we just lock ourselves up in a lecture theatre .. it’s not much different.

  The theme of the camp is called “Stand Up!” with the camp verse from Luke 10:2 (The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few). My vision for the camp was the stir people to start standing up for God than just be followers.

  
  Pastor Ken leading the sessions

  
  Team building session lead by Jon Raj

  
  Left: Our camp booklets were all personalised by Jinghui. So cool right! Right: Our chief cook – Di No!

  
  Happy campers

  

  Earlier I mentioned of the beauty of the Grampians. My expectations were well met. The pictures will do the talking.

  

  
  Love birds.. literally

  
  Left: Standing tall at the Pinnacles. Right: Natural rock climbing

  
  My trademark pose

  Marc’s Death

  

  

   

  So there you have a successful camp at the Grampians. I’d like to dedicate my special thanks to Jinghui who really roughed it out with me during the hardest times.

  Also like to thank my committee members, both old and new, Pastor Ken, the OCFers from Clayton and of course all the participatants of camp who made it just a memorable time for me.

  As much as I enjoyed and wanted the fun, I hope everyone brought something home from this camp apart from the pictures and memories – the passion to serve.

  During the sessions we learnt about not letting our past failures and dissappointment hinder God’s plans for us. Hopefully that encouraged some of us to go even further for His glory.

  I really thank God for bringing OCF Berwick so far. I wanted to leave a footprint behind in Australia.. never did I imagine it’d be this big. All glory to God!

  And once again, thanks Yasmeen for all the classy pictures!

   

  

  The Campers of OCF Berwick Spring Camp 2008

  (Not in order) Nicolas Lee, Tara Ong Vi Ling, Daniel Wong, Marc Chow, Ann Jill, Stephanie Lee, Can Dee, Jimmy Law, Di No, Ken Teo, Carol Teo, Claire Teo, Gail Roche, Faith Luo, Jonathan Raj, Ivie Tan, Yasmeen Tan, Glenda Ng and Joel Gn (Eugene Ting, Bryan Lee, Jeff, Dennis Ong and Melvin Lim joined us during parts of the camp)

   

   

   Grampians.

   God’s beautiful gift to the State of
   Victoria.

   I hope I’ll be here again some day.

  • 12:26 am
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