Monday, December 1, 2008Â Â 7:27 PM

I repeat: BE WARNED! THIS IS A SUPER LONG POST!

Surfed through the TV channels searching for something to watch, and HBO’s movie – ‘Daddy’s Day Camp’ caught my attention.

Here’s a short synopsis of what it is all about:”Dads Charlie Hinton and Phil Ryerson take over running a summer day camp at Driftwoods. Armed with no knowledge of the great outdoors, a dilapidated facility, and a motley group of campers, it doesn’t take long before things get out of control. Up against threats of foreclosure and declining enrolment, Charlie is forced to call on his estranged father, Col Buck Hinton, to help bring the camp together and teach everyone about teamwork, perseverance and the power of forgiveness.”

Sadly, this movie has been horrifyingly badly graded by its viewers. Rated between grades of C- to F by Yahoo movie critics, 70 out of 71 voters voted it a rotten movie at www.rottentomatoes.com, and an average user rating of 2.2 out of 10.

How funny, it still got me all emotional and hooked to it. And definitely, it is not a waste of my 1hour and 29 minutes! Below are just some things I was reminded about:

1. “To win the battle, you first need to believe in the success of the mission” – quoted from Col Buck Hinton.
Isn’t it so true… that in whatever that we are doing, be it winning the schools, shepherding, or fighting our own personal battles with the evil one, we ought to first have faith and believe that it can be won or overcomed! Many times its been repeated that to complete CG08, ‘If you don’t believe that it can be done, you have already lost half the battle’, yet again there are times we get discouraged and start to doubt whether it is possible. Just like any competition, if we don’t believe that we can win, we might as well don’t start anything at all; otherwise everything we’ve worked hard for will go to waste. So, believe, have faith in our God, that whatever promises we claim from His Word, they will come to past! Do not lose hope; do not give up, stand firm. CG08 will be completed!

2. What happened in the show: The kids who went for Driftwoods camp has been constantly attacked and demoralised by the kids from Canola camp. They were humiliated, looked down upon, treated with little respect. However, Col Buck Hinton took this chance to pull the Driftwoods kids together, used it as an opportunity to build teamwork. He encouraged, empowered, directed, and led them to counter-attack Canola.
Turn your discouragements to positive motivation! Leaders, continue to always instil hope and belief in your people! When all fails, you are their last glimpse of hope! Continue to affirm and encourage, because sometimes all they need is a little push:)

3. What happened in the show: Due to the lousy start-up of Driftwoods camp, there were a lot of bills that piled up. It came to a point when the government sent people to go to Charlie Hinton’s house to calculate auction value of his furniture. His wife was angry at first, but ended up giving her full support. Another incident was that a kid in camp was afraid of sleepovers because he had a tendency to wet his bed at night. Instead of laughing, his instructor, Phil Ryerson, comforted him by sharing his own experiences and gave practical advice.
We don’t just work as a team, but a family. Always look out for needs to be met, be open in sharing, learn to understand and empathise with each other’s experiences.

4. “You’ve got the best dad ever. He may be a little more protective over you, but that is because he loves you” – quoted from Col Buck Hinton.
Ahhh… Know that God our Daddy is always looking over us. Follow in step with His ways and plans, though we may not understand, for they are never to short-change us or harm us, but always for the good of us. Obey despite understanding!

5. What happened in the show: In the Campers Olympiad, Canola has been cheating their way through in all of the obstacles, but Driftwoods emerged victorious!
Remember: Victory always belongs to us! No matter how bad the situation is, at the end of the day, the one who remains the loser is – S.A.Tan.


A few days ago, I was talking to a poly classmate, Adam Esoof Piperdy.

Adam is a successful young businessman. His family started out this Emcee/ DJ company called ‘Unearthed Productions’, and it has been clinching many deals since it’s been launched. He is rich. He held a high leadership position back in secondary school days as President of Peer Support Leaders. He always had been achieving good grades – 11 points for L1R5 and current GPA of 3.3+. He is super influential.

Florence: “Hey Adam, what do you plan to do in your future huh?”
Adam: “When I’ve had enough, I’ll just devote my entire life into volunteering work and just die there.”

Adam: “Eh, I heard that the second coming of Jesus is gonna happen soon. Like got all the financial crisis stuff going on, and the disasters…”
Florence: “Yea! You believe that it will happen?”
Adam: “Yeah. I believe that there is a God.”

Adam: “You know what?”
Florence: “What?”
Adam: “I never knew I would be doing all this know. (He is talking about his successful career) I really got to thank Mr Oh (Temasek teacher). Without his belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It only takes one person to belief in you to make magic.”

Florence: “What are you busy with huh?”
Adam: “Work, and I will go back to Temasek to help out in the school events.”
Florence: “Huh, why?”
Adam: “I want to invest in the youth. I do not like the idea when people say the youth are young and ignorant when they are so full of potential!”

Well.. I don't know how and what you think or feel.. But I think that it certainly is such a waste if people with so much influence, who believe in the potential of the youth, and yet do not use their talents to serve God for a greater eternal cause.. There surely are like many many thousands millions of people like him, who need God in their lives!

What do you think?


Testimony!
All the while, Shirlene’s parents did not support the idea of her becoming a Christian. There were times when she cried and were so afraid that her parents might stop her from coming to church and stuff. There was once when she ‘backslided’ (very long time ago) because her parents objected her from attending any church activities. But! Thank God she is back!

Not only is she super supportive and initiative (she is planning for an EA stayover/ designed an EA1 shirt by herself etc.), I really admire her fervor in bringing people to come to know God! Ever since she decided to commit to the KOG, she has been asking her friends to come and join us for service. She never gave up asking, and finally, week after week, she has brought 4 visitors for service. Of which, 2 of them converted! She is also someone who is ever grateful to God… in her first caregroup, she was already dying to share 3 testimonies to the group! ALSO, she was holy spirit baptized last Thursday! Wow…

On Saturday, she wrote me this short letter:
“Hello florencechenxiaosi!
Know what? My parents never go against me for going to church, they actually encourage me to find out more about it. My dad even said that at this age is good for me to find out more before making the decision. OMGee! My dad encourage me to go! :O He knows that it would help too in my growing life! Really thank God for that! Phew!”

I’m truly inspired and encouraged by her life. So amazed at how much God can do in her and through her. Thank God for you Shirlene!


Love,
FlorenceChenXiaoSiEustacia :)