PHAT Camp

So I've just recently returned from this thing called PHAT Camp...extremely uncool name but hey, what can you do? It was actually really good, much better than I expected it to be and there is a lot to share, lots of encouragement.

To begin with, I went because I was asked by one of the organisers to go as a leader. I've seen what PHAT camp was like before (it has been dubbed 'Flirt camp') so...you get the picture. It never really seemed to be very good to me, all about emotion with no real substance. But the focus this year was one of a new beginning, to try and change the direction of phat camp and I think it worked.

The talks were very good, really easy to engage with and the speaker was extremely honest which I think was the best aspect. However, I was still dubious...the musicality of the worship sets were good but so much focus was given to music and praise that I felt the kids were not being taught about true worship. Nevertheless, they seemed to engage well with it so praise God! There was one night where people got very emotional, no doubt God was at work but it was very discouraging to see that the kids can be crying one moment and the next be laughing, playing cards and doing stupid things. The next night another one of the leaders commented on the expression on my face, saying that I looked very skeptical about it all...and indeed, I was. I didn't want this phat camp to be like the others, for the campers to have an emotional high but then lose it all when they got home and not have their lives changed.

Then the fabled final night sharing came and I was told that there would be even more crying, I felt this was a great chance to have another go at praying hard for these kids and have their lives changed. I prayed hard for a few of the kids and also prayed hard for the night in general...and yes, there were loads of tears. I know God definitely worked that night and I know that He touched many hearts. I know that some lives have truly been changed, others, I am not so sure but I hope that they have.

As I said to the other leaders before I left, the real work starts now...follow-up. Although, I must confess I am still slightly dubious, but I have faith that God will work and that He will be glorified. I really pray that he will give me the strength and patience to do this follow-up well.