Camp Day 1 & 2

Written by Pastor Bin

Opening session on Tues 7/15

We started the first full day of camp today after two meaningful days of pre-camp, where the team gathered to prepare our hearts and build unity before serving. I really appreciate this intentional approach which helped ground us in prayer and reminded us that this is God’s work, not ours.

Everyone in our team serves as a group leader. I’m co-leading a family group with young children, and while I’m grateful for the opportunity, I’m also feeling a bit nervous. Leading in English still stretches me, and to be honest, it was hard not to feel a little like an outsider, especially when some campers already know each other well and share inside jokes.

This morning, I sat down in the breakfast room at an open table, hoping to join others and maybe start a casual conversation. But as soon as I sat, everyone at the table got up, not out of rudeness, they just went to wash dishes or clean up. Still, it left me sitting there alone with my plate of food, and I suddenly felt really self-conscious. That awkward “everyone has a place except me” feeling crept in.

I ate quickly, trying not to overthink it, and was honestly relieved there was a leaders’ meeting upstairs I could slip away to. Funny how even as a pastor, those small moments can still make us feel a little like the new kid in the cafeteria.

But I’ve been reminding myself: this feeling is more internal than intentional, and the Lord has called me here for a reason. 

AM session on the first fill day of camp

God sees even those small heart-stirrings and meets us with grace. In the main session, the speaker talked about Acts 16, a passage I’ve preached on recently.

His message focused on the fact that God welcomes everyone, and he brought up things that often divide us: politics, social status, language, age, and culture. Even I just preached on this passage and emphasized on the foundation of our unity, it was still a very good reminder for me. It’s one thing to preach about unity, and another to feel the subtle ways division can creep into our own hearts, especially right now, in unfamiliar environments or moments when I feel like an outsider.

I’m grateful that God used this message to gently speak to me again. Unity in Christ isn’t just a sermon topic, it’s a daily choice, a heart posture, and sometimes a humbling journey.

One of the most rewarding moments today was my conversation with a Norwegian missionary. He had served in Hong Kong for 25 years and now returned to Norway, continuing ministry in a local Chinese church there.

He had heard about how our church practices missional discipleship and was eager to learn more. So we made an appointment, had lunch together, and continued our conversation during a walk until the afternoon session started.

Besides discipleship, he shared many valuable insider perspectives on the Nordic Chinese churches, as well as on the state of Christianity in Norway. I learned so much from his reflections, both about the challenges and the signs of hope. It was a rich, meaningful exchange, and I’m deeply thankful for this connection. What a beautiful reminder that we are a global body of Christ across cultures and generations.

Please keep us in your prayers as we engage the campers over the next few days, that we would lead with joy, humility, and love, and that God would work through even our weaknesses to bless those around me. Thank you!