Adventures at Singles Camp

"All Aboard," "Anchors Aweigh" and now part three: The "Expedition"!

Just got back from a 3-day Singles Camp by our local church at a resort in Subic. 

Our church has a vibrant singles community these days and we thank God for the growth, relationships, and blessings He has allowed to come our way.

Our belief is that the Single life was never meant to be boring. It's an adventure with God that you take with Him and other people called to be on the same boat with you. It can be a journey to advance God's kingdom or simply just a journey between people.

I always love the fun and camaraderie I get to experience in these events. I simply see and appreciate the differences and uniqueness in personality, passions, pursuits, vocations. In fact a lot of them do know how to have fun, very much in contrast with my more reflective type of personality. But we do see a common link that binds us together — it's the belief in loving God and loving people.

Our invited speaker was Pastor Dennis Sy of Victory Greenhills, also editor-in-chief of http://actlikeaman.org. Pastor Dennis explained how we have to go through our preparations (financial, vocational, relationships, and spiritual) for the adventures God has for us. In Session 2, he touched on the importance of key relationships that God has already prepared and connected for us to help us be successful in our expeditions. Based on Ephesians 4:16, we have our individual parts in this adventure but the overall goal is to build each other up and the whole church.

Session 1: Pastor Dennis Sy speaks to campers about the need to prepare for their adventures

The camp had activities and games, a worship service, keynote sessions, some retreat time, and a forum for men and women on relationship topics.

Day 1: All smiles from my team during the teambuilding activities

The place was beautiful, overlooking a mountain side, a bay and a pier on the other end. It was a much needed sanctuary for a lot of us working professionals.

Posing on a sunny day at the Kamana Sanctuary in Subic

A much needed place to be still and relax while looking over God's creation

My greatest takeaway I think from this trip is not just to be prepared for challenges but also be preparing for the good things God wants to put along our way. Too many of us settle on previous victories (which I'm very thankful for) when God has more for our single lives and future families more than we know. We are barely scratching the surface of what God still has in store! If you think you're there, wait God has more! God is a God of increase, enjoyment and promises yet to be claimed and fulfilled!

He has already planned and prepared for everything that we will need for this adventure. He already provided the map, the tools, the equipment, "the seeds," the course and the relationships. We just need to obey and walk that plan out as He reveals it one step at a time—to receive, steward, govern, enjoy, keep pushing and keep going.

During the camp-retreat, I had a God-moment when a swarm of birds and two large crows visited us on the morning of the last day. I made an adjustment to wake up at 5:30 in the morning to get a swim. There was also a cloud that morning that was so low that it covered the mountain peak that was visible from the shoreline. I knew it was my Father in heaven telling me not to worry and that everything will be alright, that God is a promise-giving God and a promise-keeper. In the time of Noah and Abraham, two men of great faith, it was God who wanted to make a memory of his promises. He wanted to remember and wants us to remember His promises. He did this with signs — the first rainbow for Noah (Genesis 9:12-16) and a firepot and torch that was supernaturally lit up for Abraham (Genesis 15). If God can make these things happen so easily for us, how can he not be able to fulfill His promises? IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? God's promise to both Noah and Abraham still stands to this day. The world still continues in the rain, the sun and the springtime. And Abraham? Well we already know how many of us through his lineage have become heirs to the promises of God. God is just so amazing!

One of our funniest moments was the huge contrast in the answers between the men and the women on the ideal budget for a wedding. The men guessed at half the amount the women gave. While I won't disclose the amounts, I will however tell you that it left these lads very much occupied until late that evening. Hahaha!

Camp was a time of adventure, fun and rest. I'm very thankful for the people who have organized it and the happy campers that made it such an adventure. They made the expedition a lot of fun.

Camp has been such a blessing and I'm excited for more to come.

Camp welcome and sign off...but the expedition continues! :-)

"May you continue to pursue and take dominion of God's expedition for your life!"

                                                                                                                      Voyager Marie