In Focus: Christ Alone

So the Holy Week found me all over Northern Luzon again. A couple of days in Tarlac for my Mama’s 60th birthday, a stopover at Manila for work, then off Thursday 4am to a new frontier: Maddela, Quirino Povince, Cagayan Valley. Ten hours via bus and van. If only bus liners had frequent flyer miles…

This summer college camp is my fifth up NorthI; I’ve lost count of the total in the past 8 years. I went there as a visitor, with no specific job description, in the hopes of observing instead of being in the frontlines. Since some of the counselors were unable to make it at the last minute, we four visiting dignitaries (MayKC on their honeymoon and JE) ended up pitching in.

In the span of 2 days, I found myself co-facilitating a session on Love, Courtship and Marriage, dancing during Banquet Night, chopping tomatoes, helping out with a cultural simulation, being hugged a lot, sharing how the campers can contribute to missions, attacking a lechon, giving free massages to the weary counselors, doing a one-on-one tutorial on events planning, thinking of recreation tasks, smelling like smoke from the kitchen fire, and issuing the Final Challenge.

In the span of two days, I witnessed first-time student counselors being servant leaders, sacrificial giving, students realizing how wide and rich the global harvest field is, humility, smiles in the midst of unexpected changes, and moments of sheer joy.

I came in full of ideas of how things should be done. I went home reminded that no matter the limited plans of man, God’s plan will push through.

In keeping with the theme, the Final Challenge ended with this AVP. Words by Amena Brown.