Thank you for reading the first issue of the Ranger’s Herald! This month we take a look at the recent junior leader’s training camps that were held from the 17th to 21st of March as well as our very own Easter Outreach on the 2nd of April (TO BE WRITTEN).

News from the front

The usual tranquillity of a short stretch of orchid and fish farms in Chua Chu Kang was shattered for a few days in rainy March. Behind the acres of farmland and fish pools more than 130 campers took the Singapore Vision farm by storm as we held our annual Junior Leaders Training Academy (JLTA) there for the very first time. Split into 4 camps, trainees enjoyed 4 days of challenging tasks to accomplish, enlightening classes peppered with activities both in and out of the camp compound ,and a season of spiritual revival and awakening..

Pitching tents, cooking with various mediums ranging from a gas stove to dutch ovens, the lashing of complex structures and even skills like orienteering were some of the activities the trainees from the Adventure Training Camp (ATC), Junior Training Camp (JTC) and the Advanced Junior Training Camp (AJTC) participated in. The elite crème of the crop who participated in the Junior Survival Camp (JSC) were largely absent from the campsite as they headed out to brave the elements and learned about trusting God. As for what they actually did during their time there, one would have to go and find out on your own! It definitely will be an eye opening experience not to be missed.

The nightly campfire services held by each individual camp was without doubt the highlight of each camp as their invited speakers shared, prayed and spoke God’s word into the trainees. Each camp had a particular theme and spiritual focus and the Holy Spirit moved strongly within each of the services, touching lives, bringing restoration and a fresh fire into the hearts and souls of the trainees. God’s presence and hand of provision was clearly visible both in the work He has done and  inHis divine timing. On the last night the rain stopped only half an hour before services were slated to begin and we were able to continue unhindered. Such timely intervention can only be the work of God, all praise be to our Lord Jesus.

Despite the rain, trainees and camp staff managed to strive to complete their set tasks and gained valuable experience as well as fostering strong friendships that will last them throughout their entire life. The ATC campers being the youngest of the lot were full of life and continued building up their momentum up till the climax at the graduation ceremony in which all their splendid cheers and performances wow-ed both seasoned trainees and camp staff. With the bar set high from the very start the JTC, AJTC and JSC trainees rose to the occasion with powerful renditions of their very own cheers and yells bringing the entire camp to a close on a lingering high.

With heavy hearts and bags full of precious memories and shared experiences trainees left the campsite proudly brandishing their newly earned patches and certificates of completion. We eagerly await what God has in store for us the next time round, hope to see everyone come back again next year for a time of learning, growth and fellowship,

Outpost Outing and DTC2010 photos are up in the Photo Gallery

Http://royalrangers.bethel.org.sg/gallery

As for me, it was a lesson on being bold and courageous. One of the evenings, we had a night activity where we had to walk through the very dark track to evade “enemies”. Along the way, we had to find words along the trail, use the words to form a phrase which was part of a verse in the bible. The verse was from Deut 31:6 where Moses exhorted the Israelites to be strong and courageous to enter the promised land. The verse did not mean anything to me until I had to go through zipline the next day. Going through the zipline was fun for most people but it was not for me even though I have done it a few times before. This is probably the highest zipline I have experienced with a sharp vertical drop when you launch off from the tower. God taught me a few lessons from the experience. First, I learnt about what it means to be strong and courageous by experiencing what it felt by being weak and scared. I admit feeling weak in my knees just standing at the edge of the opening where I was to launch off the tower. I was so afraid of dropping off the tower when the instructor was fastening the Karabiners that I held on to the pillar. I understood how Joshua must have felt when God asked him to attack fortified cities with his smaller army. To overcome the fear I need to be bold and courageous by trusting God. Second, to go down the zipline I must launch off from the tower.  I remembered the instructor telling us at the top of the tower that we only need to lean forward and let our weight become the momentum to carry us forward. In fact, jumping out from the tower may result in injury. It was really something very simple to do on the tower. Part of being bold and courageous is to launch forward, do the things that I am afraid and allow God to carry me through. God will give us the momentum as we rest our weight fully on him. I thank the Lord for the verse and experience to understand what the verse meant. There will be situations in our lives when we may feel afraid, weak and incapable. It is during these times that God wants us to be bold and courageous and allow Him to carry us through if we launch forward.

I would like to thank the Royal Rangers commanders for allowing me to be part in the Round-up as it has been great experience for me spiritually, socially, physically and mentally. I felt refreshed after the Round-up. I am thankful for the opportunity to interact with many kids especially those in my patrol as I learnt what is meant to be a Royal Ranger.

God Bless.