One issue that Deacon Xing Guo was very concerned about is food. We read reviews and not a few Singaporeans who stayed there complained about the quality of the food there. Some committee members also told some of us not to expect the kind of good food we had enjoyed in the last church camp in 2012. Deacon Xing Guo even went to the extent of showing the resort agent the bad reviews and requesting the resort to ensure the quality of food. Let’s hope all will enjoy good food in the resort. But what if the food is not delicious? I urge one and all to eat with the joy of the Lord. Do refrain from saying insensitive or rude remarks as that may cause discouragement or unhappiness.
Also, as we live with one another in the same apartment or room, you can be sure we have different habits: some may occupy the toilet for a longer time, some may snore or some may be untidy. Please do not quarrel. This is a time, perhaps, to train perseverance and patience, and to learn to love one another. We love not because we are perfect but because we choose to be kind and gracious. Let’s take care of one another.
But why are we going to Malacca? After Jesus fed over 5000 people with food and left them, the crowd later eagerly sought for Him. To them, Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (John 6:26). It’s very sad. The crowd longed for Jesus not because they wanted spiritual blessings. Instead, when they went to “Malacca,” they were more interested in good food, fun, recreation, nice desserts, good beds, fun water theme parks, good shopping, etc. They were only interested in things that will make the physical body happy. Foolish! Foolish! Foolish!
So, what do you hope to get this time in Malacca? Good food and good fun? I hope we’ll all have that. But listen to Jesus: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:27). I urge you, have this objective: “I want to know how to prepare myself to face God’s coming judgement.”
If you have this desire, you will surely be filled and be satisfied. You will be fed with food that lasts for eternity. Jesus says: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). One day, every human being will stand before God’s frightening judgement. We must ensure we pass this judgement and enter God’s kingdom richly. This is what this church camp hopes to do: to prepare you to face judgement. In this way, we will not be afraid at the thought of the coming judgement. Instead, we will look forward to leaving this world of suffering and entering Gods’ eternal and glorious kingdom, a kingdom that is prepared for everyone who has truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.