Right after the Summer Enrichment Camp (SEP) Luzon 2014 of last year, Ptr Aron Tolentino (camp director of this cool youth camp) has been constantly asking me to serve as an assistant counselor again next year (referring to this year) but all my answers were neutral, knowing that I might not be able to serve again because of some post-graduation considerations like applying for a job. I prayed for God's leading because I would really would want to serve and be part of this annual summer camp knowing that this will make an impact in the lives of the young people since I have experienced and attended SEP for 7 consecutive years. My heart and my passion is really for the youth ministry. I must say that, every year, there were a lot of new learnings,friendships and experiences with God.
April, the month of applying for staffhood, I finally took the leap of faith in applying for the assistant counselor. It was my second time if ever to serve in this position. My application was accepted! With great joy and expectation, I was excited. My first year of serving as an assistant counselor (summer of 2014) was very memorable, having the opportunity to be mentored by kuya Al Santillian...I will be forever grateful for the things you have taught me!(one of the things that I did with kuya Al was to pray for each of the campers intentionally). This is one of the reasons why I am encouraged to serve again. Weeks passed by and I received a text informing me that my counselor to whomI will be working with,is kuya Adriel Garcia. We started planning via sms and facebook chats, a lot of idea-storming! Finally we decided to stick with the identity of our dorm 2B, to be "DUGONG BUGHAW" (royal blood). Choosing this dorm identity in relation that this is who we are in Christ - our King and this is the life/reality that we should live. We also had the idea of looking for neckties to match this theme. We were blessed that We have found some neckties in an affordable price (we gave each of our 14 campers each upon thier arrival).
This year, the camp was held in a new site in Matabungkay Beach Resort,Lian Batangas last May 25-30. With beautiful dormitories and facilities. A new kind of SEP because it is by the beach. The first day of camp finally came! Excitement to the maximum level was felt! As I have been meeting the campers that was assigned to our dorm, I tried to know them right away and to start the hype to keep them going! What's unique this year was that almost majority of the campers were first timers. During the first few hours and days, kuya Adriel and I were amazed that our campers were easily got along with each other. I specially would like to thank my veteran campers (Erickson,Mann,Julian,Erby,Marthy and Exekiel) for taking the lead in knowing your fellow firstimer dormates and being a "big brother" to them. I super appreciate that!
In our very first meeting as the dorm 2B, we took the time to break the ice, know each other, discuss some dorm rules to guide them and also to assign their buddies for the rest of the camp. The camp was formally opened with a camp worship and a n opening devotional by our camp chaplain, Ptr. Rex. Days were running fast as we enjoyed doing the classes: Basketball,Volleyball,Christian Living,Ballroom,Community Service,Team Building, Swimming (the activity that our dorm was awarded as the "Best Male Dorm in Swimming), Sports Fest (staff vs. campers - staff won of course) and Boating/Snorkling (this is the newest activity in SEP, and I think this is the most enjoyed activity). We had this night of reflection and worship when Ptr. Rex shared the spiritual discipline call the "EXAMEN" - it was a time of refreshing for me. Of course, the Camp won't be complete without the dance night, where all where dressed beautifully and ready to dance with their partners.
If there is one thing that is very memorable for me this year is the Sunset Worship we had every day in the shore facing the beautiful view of God's creation. It gave me an exceeding joy in reflecting and singing songs of worship with your brothers and sisters during those precious times.
There will always be a time during the camp for the campers to believe and receive God's love in thier lives through water baptism and be witnessed by the SEP community. 16 campers made the decision and was baptized. Hallelujah!
The theme for this year is "LIVE THE LIFE". We have decided to have this tagline for our dorm: "2B, Dugong Bughaw, Everyday Okay!" Knowing that in Christ, the life we should be living is the reality that we are sons and daughters of the King of kings and live as royal bloods (dugong bughaw). And God wants us to live this "life" for ourselves,for God and for others in L-ove,I-inclusion,F-reedom,E-njoyment!
Dearest, pinaka mamahal kong mga brothers,
Halos mag three weeks na tayong di magkakasama! Tuwing Monday, naiisip ko yung alas dos na pumipila kayo to register at pumunta kayo sa dorm assignment niyo (pero alam niyo ba na habang nakapila pa lang kayo, alam ko na na kayo ay dorm 2B? Hehe) Well, trinatry kong alalahanin kung sino sa inyo ang unang dumating sina Jericho, Paolo at Marthy ata kung di ako nagkakamali?? Hehe! Basta yun, nung nasa dorm na tayo unti-unti na tayong nabubuo...ang nakakatawa pa nun eh nagkaroon pa tayo ng ghost dormate...remember "Kenshin" dahil akala natin sa dorm natin siya? Haha. At nung unang pagkikita natin na yun...ang galing! Madaling kayong nagka palagayan ng loob! Salamat kay Mann sa pagtulong saakin sa pag turo na mag tali ng necktie, hey, dapat alam nyo na lahat ah! Kung di niyo pa alam, magpaturo ulit kay Mann! LOL.
Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sainyo for sharing your stories sa maikling 6 days na yun (ituloy sa txt or chat)...alam ko marami tayong tawa sa mga bagay bagay during cheer practices natin. Ako ay grateful dahil nakita ko sa dorm natin na very talented, may potential, unique, pogi, funny, gentleman at everyday okay! Gusto ko lang kayong isa-isahin at i-affirm kayo:
-Marthy: Pang all star ka talaga brother! Alam mo nung 2013 pa lang nakita ko na yung interest mo sa basketball! Go and enjoyin mo yang hilig na yan, si God ang nagbigay nyan...Tahimik ka nung pagdating mo sa dorm, pero ang appreciate ko sayo ay you shared your ideas sa cheers natin at ang galing mong gumawa nung dialogues nung variety show at wala kang hesitation in doing the things na kailangan mong gawin! Alam ko na one day, you wll be completely healed sa skin asthma mo :) God bless you brother!
-Jericho: Isa ka sa mga nagpapatawa sa ating dorm at nagkwekwento. Appreciate ko sayo na hanggang ngayon nangungumusta ka pa din thru chat and text. Marunong kang makisama sa drom brothers mo. Do your best sa lahat ng bagay kasi dahil dun, makikita nila ang love ni God sayo. Andito lang kami ni kuya Adriel, txt at chat lang brother!
- Nathan: Ang galing at ang astig mo sa bag bebeatbox! Yan ang talent! Thank you sa pagshare mo saakin ng talent na yan...talagang prinapractice mo po ang pagbebeatbox ng gabi! Bigay din ni God yan sayo:) naalala ko, ikaw yung isa sa mga natatawa sa practices na kasabayan ko! Hehe. Na-touch ako nung personal kayong nag sorry saamin ni kuya Adriel sa nagawa niyo na something, you have a good heart! See you soon brother!
-Travis: Brother, tahimik ka ka nung una pero buti na lang at meron si Kenneth na naging best friend mo nung camp. Salamat sa pagshare mo saakin ny life story mo...hayaan mo lang ang mga sinasabi ng tao around you, ang importante ay kung ano ang reality na ikaw ay loved,accepted and valued by God. Smile! And let that smile brighten other's lives.
-Kenneth: Ikaw ang charm ng dorm natin and you are generous sa pag share ng food sa amin. In fact diba twice tayong bumili sa store? Hehe. Noong naguusap tayo habang papunta sa store, I'm asking you kung nageenjoy ka sa camp sabi mo "syempre naman kuya"...kaso medyo nalungkot ka nung baka hindi ka na makaattend next year...wag kang magalala, God will provide ulit and by faith, I know makakattend ka ulit!
-Darren: Tinatawag mo ako ng "sir" palagi..hehe! Ikaw ang example sa dorm na nakita ko na if time na para mabilisang kailagan nang lumabas for our class, yun. Ikaw yung isa sa mga nauuna. Basta alam ko na basta tahimik, malulupet sila! Be excited sa mga prinipare ng God for your life!
-Cristan: Naaliw ang buong dorm sa mga memes na shinishare mo saamin...hehe! Alam kong in real life, you will also bring joy to the people around you. Nabusog din ang dormates mo dahil sa gabi-gabing pag kain nyo sa baon mo - thanks sa pagshare. Ikaw ay ang pang limang Umlas na naging ka-dorm ko. Astig ka bro!
-Paolo: Brother, alam kong isa sa mga rason kung bakit tayo naging best male dorm sa swimming dahil sayo. Ang galing mo sa swimming! Ipagpatuloy mo yan, malay mo ikaw na pala ang isa sa mga swimmers ng Pilipinas! Be remimded always na God is always for you and not against you!
-Noel: Una tayong nagkakilala nung feast last year ng youth activity. Kaya I thank God dahil nagkita ulit tayo at magkadorm pa. Natutuwa ako kasi very open ka sa pagshare saamin ng mga life experiences and lessons mo. Hindi ka nauubusan ng kwento for us. Thank you sa generous heart mo nung dance night! Kita kits ulit tayo sa feast na ukit siguro?
-Erby: Bro, excited talaga akong maka dorm ka! Alam mo kung bakit? Nung nasa Baguio pa kayo, ikaw kaya yung isa sa mga estudyante namin sa sunday school. Very active ka and you love to play with your fellow kids after service. You have grown up na. Ang bilis ng panahon! Sa dorm natin, na bless ako kasi you harlp being one of the kuya sa mga first timers. Thanks sa merienda nung isang gabi. Hehe! Magiging successful ka sa chosen carrer mo soon. Like you dad! God bless you more brother!
-Julian: Ikaw lang ata ang nagtatawag saakin ng Justine sa dorm? Haha. Well, magkakilala na kasi tayo at mag nakilala pa kita nung camp. Ikaw yung isa sa mga naging kuya ng dorm 2B. You are a great help saamin maslalo na nung variety show. Continue to serve God sa local church niyo, maslalo na alam ko active ka sa music ministry. Honor God with that passion for music and as you play outside the church, shine your light and let the whole world see that Chirst is in you!
-Mann: You're the man! Alam ko na na magiging blessing ka sa dorm with your cool ideas! Di na ako nahirapan to teach sa dorm natin sa pag tataoi ng necktie, tinulungan mo ako. Ikaw ang inassign namin ni kuya Adriel sa narration dahil alam namin na dun ka magaling at syempre mas magaling pa sa pag sasayaw! Identity ng Santillian brothers yan eh! Continue to sustain the bond ng dorm natin maslalo na sa chatbox and syempre for life. Thanks brother! See you so soon.
-Exekiel: 3 times dormate na kita! Tadhana na ba? Hehe. Appreciate ko yung, palagi kang nagvovolunteer maslalo na sa dorm cheers and sa variety show natin. God blessed you din with the gift of music, gamitin mo yun for God's glory. Medyo a lot of effort ang kailangan mo sa college. Do your best in everything and continue to bless others with your natural vibes ng pagpapatawa! Apir!
-Erickson: Ang best camper ng 2B! You know why? Nakakitaan ka namin ng "kuya instinct" sa mga ka brothers mo. Ikaw ang isa sa mga maagang nagigising at nang gigising using your speaker at nagpapatugtog ng "lalalabmilykeyoudolalalabmilykeyoydo..." Haha! Sabi nga namin ni kuya Adriel, blessing ka kasi you helped us in crafting our cheers at sa variety show...maslalo na yung malupet ming sound effects! You are a good kuya! Affirm ko yan at ang leadership skills mo. Continue to love your hilig sa basketball. Alam kong medyo madrama ang nangyari sayo coming sa campsite...pero I know that was with you along the way. Marami ka sigurong iniisip, just pray and ask God to guide you sa decisions. God bless you brother!
Last but not the least: to our kuya head counselor Adriel, thank you! Thank you kasi God gave us the opportunity to work togather for our dorm! Andami nating advance plans and it all turned to be good at naging talagang "Everyday Okay" ang 6 amazing days natin with the campers! Alam ko kinakabahan ka kasi it is your first time as a counselor, pero for me, meron nang natural na kuyang pagaaruga for our dorm kaya di na tayo nahirapan to lead our dorm. Appreciate ko yung evealuation time natin every now and then if there is a need. Thank you for giving us some advices and life lessons during our devotional and sa dorm chats natin. I will always remember not to worry ng sobra maslalo na sa cheers natin everyday...dapat chill lang para everyday okay!!! See you soon kuya Adriel!
Brothers! Thank you for being part of my life, you will always be my brothers for life ang I will be your kuya forever. Continue to Live the Life! The life that is in our Father,Jesus and Holy Spirit! I will see you guys soon! I miss and love you all!
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
And together we say...
"2B,DUGONG BUGHAW, EVERYDAY,OKAY!"
Your 2B Assistant Counselor,
Kuya Jep Parcasio
