I feel so sad right now. I just really miss my campers. Like all the SEP camps that I have been into (from ‘98-’07), christian living classes are still on, devotional time, quiet time, sports like basketball, badminton, volleyball, swimming (in the other sep camps, we had softball and soccer too), novelty olympics/games, dinner banquet, dance night…same things, same stuff..’though with different themes, still, one thing too is consistent, preaching and sharing the love of Christ to the youth.
Each SEP camp offers different people, different kind of fun, different feeling, different memories, and new learnings about life and about God. I have experienced being a camper for like six sep camps. I gained a lot of friends (nationwide), and many of them are still my friends even up to now. I thank God for bringing me to SEP. I thank God for putting my parents in the Worldwide Church of God. I thank God for so many things. I became a part of the staff since 2004 as an assistant counselor to Ate Jean Ann Almera (1G, Esmeralda Beach Resort, Misamis Or.). The following year, I became the assistant counselor of Ate Chang Abao (2G, Ardent Hot Springs, Camiguin Island). In 2006, I was given the opportunity to serve the camp as the head counselor for dorm 3G, in Luan-luan Springs, Quezon, Bukidnon..and with me is my assistant counselor–Gween Yuson. This year, for the second time around, I’ve been blessed to serve the camp again as the head counselor for dorm 4G, in Midway White Beach Resort in Initao, Misamis Or…and Monette Abao became my assistant counselor. For the dorm 4G, we have 15 campers. I thought there will be only 13 of them. When I learned that the number of campers are still growing, I cannot explain the feeling of uneasiness that surrounded me. I wanted to quit, to back out, knowing that I haven’t really prepared myself spiritually to be able to serve well. After saying a short prayer, I tried so hard to feel okay. The first few hours of the camp was like a dream to me. It felt like I’m flying in the alapaap, not being myself, and just doing what I am supposed to do. At the end of the first day, I felt so tired, so drained. I wanted to cry out to the Lord, to pray. I went outside and the Lord lead me to knock in the door of Dorm 1G, where my bestfriend Adelle is..I told her I need somebody to pray with me,..and we invited Anelyn too, the head counselor of dorm 2G. The three of us learned that we were having the same dilemma. We prayed, cried, and comforted one another. This is one of the things that I am so grateful about, having friends with whom you can count on at your saddest times. We three went back to our respective dorms, went to sleep. The next morning, I felt energized. Things came sinking into my brain and into my heart. I knew it was the Lord who opened my eyes and my heart then.
Things I learned in this year’s camp:
1. Always be patient, because the Lord have been patient with me,too.
2. For me, the top three needs of young people are: love, acceptance, and making them feel that “they can do something”.
3. Listening is more important than that of talking.
4. It is natural for teens to have petty fights with their close friends inside the dorm.
5. Always be careful of what you say, because the campers look up to you and believe almost everything that you have told them..plus..they remember the words and the way you relayed it.
6. The youth appreciate the counselor’s openness about their own experience about crushes, family, friends, school, and down moments too.
7. As a counselor, you have to know how to tell your story of how you came to know the Lord and how your experiences with Him.
8. Don’t bring clothes that you are not planning to wear…haha
9. Always show enthusiasm, love, and understanding.
10. I really love serving the SEP.
Introducing my campers:
1. Claire - The best when it comes to dance steps, making friends, having fun, badminton, basketball, and volleyball. Very bubbly.
2. Ana - Responsible. She initiated the mask making for the dance night. (we won the award for having the best masks in dance night). When she feels frustration, she cries for hours and hours while laughing out loud in between. She’s very helpful to all her dorm mates. Saves her friends when not-so-okay boys are trying to ask them for a dance.
3. Seabee - Very friendly, sweet..er–adorable..very approachable, no wonder why all her dorm mates love her. Decent and God-fearing.
4. Rosalie - Cute (sa height) hehe..Always willing to lend her hand to her dorm mates whenever they need extra help. She can say whatever she feels, open, and warm.
5. Yama - no comment. hahaha.. Bitaw, she’s very young to attend sep..(grade 5)..pero okay lang. She’s very outgoing and loud.
6. Rhea - Partner-in-crime of Yama. She loves to swim..
7. Cecelle - She’s a very keen observer…quiet, warm, and very willing to open up her life to her dorm mates.
8. Clyde - Talkative, never been shy (hahaha), maayo mag-dance..okay pud magkanta..
9. Farah - One of the “ATEs” sa dorm…very responsible, and warm.
10. Kim - Funny and pretty! The other “ate” in the dorm. Maasahan.
11. Marycelle - Bataon! hehe.. Magkasundo sila ni Yama.. hehe.. four more SEPs and she’ll learn how to interact with the others.
12. Irene - Shy type..Kitikitext..
13. Joy - The “emo” in the group. She’s very open about her life..lovelife..hehehe..and many other things! I first saw her in JoshGen3 and since then, I’ve been praying that she’ll be under me in sep..the good thing was..God answered my prayer.. Joy, welcome to the family of Christ!
14. Luz - The exact opposite of her sister Joann..=) She’s just quiet, but have lots of interesting things that are running through her head. She can express herself..and she’s very sensible.
15. Hazel - Silent lang..pero hawd diay mag-basketball..hehe =)
I really miss my campers..I really miss the SEP..
