A Foretaste of Heaven on Earth
A Report on the True Life Camp by Dn Tan Beng Lee
The 9th annual True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Camp was held at the Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort in Penang, Malaysia from 11th to 15th June 2012. A record attendance of 273 people, comprising the young and the old, families, brethren from likeminded B-P churches and invited guests from abroad took the 75- minute flight from Singapore to this idyllic and conducive seafront resort which was home to us for five eventful days.
After a sumptuous dinner shortly upon arrival, the camp programme started with an introductory message by our Pastor—the Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo—on the camp theme “Knowing the Will of God”. Pastor told us that the number one will of God for all of us is to live and not die. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim 2:3-5). We must make sure that we are saved which is God’s good plan or else we will be in God’s bad plan and face His judgment. What about believers? What is God’s will for us? Quoting from Romans 12:1-2, Pastor reminded us that we must be a living sacrifice to God and not a dead sacrifice which is of no use to Him at all. We must not conform to this world but be transformed through the process of sanctification (1 Thess 4:3).
This solemn reminder was a fitting start to the camp and the spiritual feast that awaited us. Over the next few mornings, Pastor expounded on the Sevenfold Will of God, namely His perceptive will, directive will, cooperative will, permissive will, punitive or chastitive will, desiderative will, and decretive will. He expounded to us the relevant Bible passages and peppered his messages with simple examples as well as personal anecdotes to explain and teach us the various aspects of God’s will.
More spiritual food was dished out by the Rev Biak Lawm Thang, the Rev Nguyen Gia Hien, the Rev Errol Stone and the Rev Stephen Khoo at the morning devotions which preceded the theme messages.
For the second consecutive year, we were able to have a separate programme for our Chinese Service brethren. The Rev Koa Keng Woo from Muar BPC, Malaysia, a faithful servant of the Lord who is in his eighties, ministered to a group of about 20 people. Dn Tai Mern Yee and FEBC students Li Ya Ge, Samuel Eio and Zhu Jian Wei also took turns to share the morning devotions with the brethren.
Over 30 children attended this year’s camp. They were divided into three age groups and were taught “The Life of Joseph”, “David’s Reign”, and “The First Christians” by a group of dedicated teachers and a combined lesson on the topic “Manners Made Easy” by Sis Jenny Kan.
Afternoons were kept free for campers to have their own activities. While many of the older folk made their way to town to enjoy the sights and the delicious hawker food that Penang is well known for, the younger campers were content to stay in the resort to swim or participate in water sports such as parasailing and jet skiing.
In a departure from previous camps, all the theme messages were delivered in the mornings and there were no evening messages. Tuesday evening was devoted to Missions with reports on the work in Kemaman by Dr Wee Tiong Soon, New Life Orphan Centre in Myanmar by Bro Thangno, First BPC in Yangon by the Rev Biak, and Brisbane BPC by the Rev Hien. With the aid of powerpoint slides and photos, they shared with us the challenges they faced and their prayer needs.
A film show on the life and work of William Carey, the “father of modern missions” was screened on Wednesday night. We were touched by the faith and perseverance of this English Baptist missionary who translated the Bible into numerous languages and dialects despite great hardship and the lack of support from his wife. He achieved great things for God because he attempted great things for God!
On the last night of the camp, the children, the youths and the church choir rendered praise items during the thanksgiving and testimony evening. Campers also shared on the blessings they received from the camp and were also taken a trip down memory lane by Eld Han Soon Juan and Bro William Teo (who was a deacon and treasurer of Life BPC in the early days) who gave us a glimpse of the life and faith of our founding pastor, the late Rev Dr Timothy Tow.
To cap off the evening and a memorable camp, campers were treated to a local fruit feast of durians, mangosteens and rambutans by the beach which they relished whole- heartedly.
I thank God for yet another blessed camp and the opportunity to organise the camp together with the camp committee. It was the first time we had to arrange for 200 people to fly overseas and we give thanks that everything went smoothly and everyone has returned safely. By His directive and cooperative will, He led us each step of the way, guiding us in the selection of a most suitable camp site, booking the optimal number of air tickets in advance last year and the arrangement of the airport transfers. I also thank God for all who served in the camp—meeting chairmen, coach leaders, teachers, doctors, pianists, photographers, and the PA crew. Special thanks to Dr and Mrs Maurice Chew who so readily offered their help in sourcing for the durians and the booking of the restaurant for a wonderful lunch on the final day of the camp.
Praise the Lord for a great time of spiritual retreat, worship and fellowship. It was truly a foretaste of heaven on earth! Join us next year if you missed this year’s camp.
