INSIDE OUT
ISCF National Leadership Camp – Discipleship Camp (NLDC)
16-23 May 2010
Camp Humayan, Bago City, Negros Occidental

by Florina Riel-Fernandez

Praise God for how He accomplished many things at the NLDC! For the students, it was a time of experiencing Him closely and being equipped to serve Him. For the staff, it was a time of unlearning and learning new things. Though, NLDC was a belatedly conceived project, God’s directing hands were evident from the way He put the right staff for the right tasks, brought more students than we had targeted, gave us just the right kind of expositor (who was our second option), sustained the staff physically, emotionally and spiritually, kept all of us safe, adequately provided for our financial needs (although I had not been able to raise the entire subsidy) and used the NLDC program to equip the students.

Knowing the triune God in a deeper way was the major impact of the camp on the students.  They experienced being fathered by God, realizing that the Holy Spirit is our constant companion and grappling with the all-of-life demand of Jesus as Lord. Many realized that they had been half-hearted in their discipleship or were nominal in following Christ. Many realized that they had been trying to ‘succeed’ as a Christian on their own merits instead of constantly relying on the Holy Spirit.

For the DC track students, learning a specific evangelistic tool in the Evangelism sesson and appreciating their being made in Christ’s image were additional highlights for them. For the LC track students, although they admit that the BSW was difficult and really challenging still they appreciated learning to study the Bible on their own. In their testimonies, the LC students say that this is something they want to do after the camp.

For the camp staff, NLDC was a time of unlearning and new learning. The current curriculum’s integrated and varied approach (QT, SG and Expo were closely inter-related) was something new for some of them. Also, the schedule was different from what they are typically used to in previous camps. So from the start, I strongly encouraged them to be open to new ways of camping and also to be ready to share their best experiences to the group.

The camp was highly staff-led mainly because the agreed-upon purpose for holding the NLDC was for all the regional staff to learn the new ISCF camp curriculum together.

Statistics

No. of Campers:            61 high school students + 2 college students
No. of IVCF staff:          14
No. of volunteer staff
(graduate and student):  9
Total Income:          P 292,500.00
Total Expense:        P 224,919.85
Surplus/Deficit:        P 67,580.15
Camp Director:        Florina Riel-Fernandez

Testimonies (excerpts only)

‘In this camp, my relationship with God became stronger. In the first expo, I learned that God chose me and loved me. I thank God for that! I had many burdens in life, but I surrendered it all to Him because He is my Lord. During our foot-washing activity, God showed me that I should not be proud. Instead I should be humble as Jesus my Lord has shown. The part that I really learned is the Lordship of Christ. As I leave this camp, I should put Jesus as Lord over my friends, school and other temptations that I will face.’

–Jed Mobida, LC campus delegate, NMRU

‘I feel that the Lord took me here to tell me that He is not yet Lord over ALL of me. He made me realize that for me to truly serve Him I have to surrender ALL of me and not only part of me. I’ve realized that I need to yield to the Holy Spirit and not work on my own so that I can progress in my journey towards Christ.’

-Jeremiah Rocha, LC campus delegate, MMRU

‘Before camp, life was frustrating; I hadn’t spent time with God since January. I assumed that I had a close relationship with God. But by the renewing and evaluating of my relationship with God through the spiritual retreats, I realized it was ironically different.

Before I thought that it was just okay to pray for people who haven’t gotten to know Christ yet. But now I thank God for giving me another job, something that I would love to do – being a missionary. Although I was shocked by that command, I know in my heart I will not hesitate doing it for God. I realize I have the passion to reach out to people who have special needs. I experienced crying out of nowhere and at first, I couldn’t explain why. After the Missions Night, I listened to God about my ‘drama’. Then He told me that it was out of sadness that we are enjoying so much of God’s blessings while some don’t even get to smile.’

-Aimee Gabrielle Celis, LC church delegate, WVRU

‘There was a battle inside me. A part of me knew I needed to come to this camp, another part hated the idea. But cliched as it may sound, I am not the same person who came here. God has changed my perspective, my attitude towards everything and ultimately my relationship with Him. He has spoken in ways I couldn’t believe!

First, I find my old self foolish and I can’t understand why I used to anorexic and suicidal when I knew that Christ died for me. I have learned here that I am a masterpiece, not made by a mistake and that I should be a good steward of my body. I’m so glad that I’m still alive!

During the whole week, I was afraid of doing the things I used to do. I was afraid of failing, having the wrong motives and ending up being sucked up by pride. But I realized that what matters is the heart. What matters is that I would glorify God. I have decided to live fully dependent on God. I will live as God’s servant. Although I know that it will not be easy, I know that God is always by my side.

-Deana Kaye Ouano, DC campus delegate, CEVRU

‘I’ve had many first-time experiences in this camp. It was my first time to clean a bathroom, to collect garbage and most importantly to have Visayan friends and to talk Hiligaynon. I thank God for all that.

God blessed me through the expositions. I was reminded that Jesus didn’t leave us alone; the Holy Spirit is with us, teaching, comforting and reminding us of Jesus’ teachings. I just need to let Him work in my life.

I was also blessed by the special session because it strengthened my idea of God’s love for me. In this session, two things struck me the most. First, is that Jesus didn’t die just because He loves us but also to maintain God’s holiness which is what I want because that is what a King of Kings deserve. The other thing is that simply knowing is different from knowing that accepts/believes. The devil knows Jesus but still He is not saved because he does not accept the fact that Jesus is our Savior.

I have decided to continue what I have started in this camp in my real life – the Quiet Times, obeying God’s will, pleasing Him and being a light to others.

-Karlo Erni, DC church delegate, MMRU

‘Congratulations! Aimee was so blessed and has all good words for NLDC. As in tuwang-tuwa siya. Ang galing daw ng mga sessions – effective ang mga speakers. Your labor in the Lord are not in vain. You touched lives, thank you! I salute you.

- SMS sent by Ms. Rose Celis, parent of a delegate

by Florina Riel-Fernandez

note: for more pictures please go to the site footer flickr link. thank you…