Youth Leaders Retreat

From the 3rd till 5th of October 2008, the Youth force leadership had a retreat to Port Dickson. Rented a corner double story house which is equipped with cooking utensils, pots, pans and even bbq things as well. Not leaving the number of mattresses needed to sleep. Girls occupied the top while us guys occupied the living hall by laying out the mattresses. Though I have to say when in the wee hours in the night, it does get cold. Cold that most of us either curl ourselves like prawns or something else. It was indeed a nice, enjoyable trip. With plenty of food to eat, nice ones I'd say. Certainly a retreat trip to remember. So the trip went like this:

We met up in Church seemingly at 11.30 am on 3th Oct but as usual, due to some complicated issues delayed 30 mins and we left at 12pm instead. About four cars went on the early section while about two more came in the evening that day. We stopped by at Seremban to have our lunch at a beef noodles stall. Food was ok but so-so to me, after that we adjourn to get the curry chicken bread and then went to buy the famous Seremban siew pau. Then we headed to Port Dickson. Rested and waited for the rest to come. While waiting we had our steamboat dinner which has lots of vegetables, fishballs, meatballs and so on. Not leaving the homemade chili sauce which was well praised by the eaters.

After eating, cleaning up the dishes and some went to bathe, some stayed at the living hall to watch "Amazing Grace" the movie while others were at the dining hall there playing games. More like vocabulary games. After the movie the ones who were playing games came over to the living hall as there's air conditioning there and continued playing. That time I went to bathe and joined in the game after I bathed. There were almost 30 of us who were at the retreat though, quite a large amount I'd say. We walked to the beach which was on high tide that time, got a glimpse of it as it was really dark and headed back to the house. After that we all headed to sleep (Well, some of them still talked till don't know what time). Next day came, some woke up while some were still sleeping. Jen Ric was the chef of the trip. He cooked for breakfast, bbq-ed the wings. Not everyone had breakfast. We had our own service there with Ps. Mike preaching and also took communion there.

After that we got to fill up some evaluation form about youth force then got ready to go for lunch and then head towards Bayu Beach Resort to view the campsite and also to play at the beach there (which is definitely cleaner there). Previous time I wasn't there during the last youth camp as I was in the other part of the world and it was the tsunami period where it struck other Asian countries with significant damage. Anyway, the campsite looks good, with the various things they provide such as we are able to use the lighting there (colour spot lights) for free and I think there would be lights off during the worship session. Then it's going to be a fun time using the lighting system there. Yay!! But then an extra job for me. Can't wait to do that for youth camp. Ballroom's big, rooms are good shape. Now all we need is campers to fill up the place. So you know what to do, sign UP for youth camp!!

Done checking all the rooms and asking questions to the person in charge there then we had our leisure time at the beach. Some played volleyball, some even did their homework or assignments there (Which is ok but then crazy at the same time) some flew kite, some went to the sea while some just relax under the beach umbrella. Volleyball was hard to play if we were to follow strictly on the rules. It was fun afterall. Then some went for banana boat which we need to fall overboard for about three times as it's cornering and the G-force took the lead and threw as all into the sea but then of course to the shallow waters since some don't know how to swim. It was fun but at the same time my specs lens broke because of the impact when I fell into the sea. I took off by specs thinking by holding it would be okay. Didn't have the thought it would be that bad sort of impact that holding it would be disastrous. After that, being drenched went to the beach and with the sun and heat get dried up. Not very much but considerably okay then joined in for captain ball, long time didn't play that game, it was fun but at the same time crazy as the opposing team girls were crazy and they do what they can to fight for the ball and I eventually ended my self having some scratches on my legs. To Beatrice just to clarify- it's not a nice feeling as so many "heavy" people where stacking on one poor fellow below as the ball was below him (which is me). Madness I would that was.

After some time more we cleaned ourselves up and headed back to the house to bathe and then go for our bbq dinner which was good and delicious. Had really a nice meal as the food there were overwhelming that some of it were saved for next day's breakfast. Everyone enjoyed their dinner very much and had fun bbq-ing. Done with the cleaning up, everyone gathered around and had a sharing session which was good. Sharing lasted quite awhile and then off we went to bed (as usual some slept late). Next morning, this time more people slept later as mostly slept late. With blur eyes, faces some went for breakfast. Do packing of luggage to be put into the car since it was the day we all have to go back. Dreads it was. Done packing up and cleaning up, headed to our respective cars and off we go, most went to buy siew pau at another area while the car I'm in headed straight back to Cheras. Thanks for those who made this retreat possible and I bet everyone had a blast of a time there in Port Dickson. Hope next year we can go back there again. And this time perhaps can stay longer? Lolz...