<h1><span style="color: #808000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bringing HOPE to NS Camp with Youth Alpha</span></strong></span></h1>
<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-165" style="margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px;" title="YA@NS" src="http://youth.my/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/YA@NS.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="238" />I knew about Youth Alpha from a conference but has never really bother to find out more information. When I was asked to take a Christian class in a National Service Camp, I though Youth Alpha would be the best tool for me. Since June 2007, we started to use Youth Alpha in a camp. We found it is so effective to allow non-Christian to even sit in the class without feeling being left out. One of the major ground rule we’ve learn from Youth Alpha is anyone can voice what they way. This allows the young people to really open up and share what is in their mind and in their heart. 3 months of meeting them and getting to know them through all the discussion and fun activities we had. They have become our friends. In a short period of 3 months, we have more than 40 young people opened their heart to the Gospel through this program in the camp.

Don’t just take this as another evangelistic tool but catch of the spirit of evangelism and reaching to love our young people.

<strong>Teo Chung Hock<em>
<span style="color: #888888;">Youth Pastor</span></em></strong>

In the past three months, I've volunteered myself to Hock to join a team that went to a NS camp. It took a long journey- almost one and a half hours- to reach there. Every Thursday we went in and minister to these bunch of youth. There are some of them who are dropouts or some who are already working. Mostly they are not highly educated. But, one thing that I've seen is that God has changed them 180 degrees.

Can you imagine going for a three month mission trip, staying in the same place, but having different experiences with different people.  Because every week we have different batches coming in.  Each batch that came in actually got to know God. One thing that supprised me most was that when we started to introduced who is Jesus, by using the Youth's Alpha course, they actually do not know who is He. I was like expecting answers like son of God etc. But in turn they are asking:  "Who is he, is he just a normal guy?" or "Is he someone famous?" At that moment, I cannot accept it. But I believe that though out this course that we've given, God has done work in their lives. God really sowed the seed in their hearts.

<strong><em>Jing Ling
<span style="color: #888888;">Facilitator</span></em></strong>

I'm Vincent. Firstly, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve him in the NS camp. Before this trip, it never cross my mind that one day I would set foot on a NS camp site. I have read some negative newspaper articles about the conditions in the camp sites and fighting. But once I went into the camp, I noticed that this was caused by the emptiness the campers felt due to the lack of love and care. At first, some of the campers did not take us seriously and did not concentrate. But week in week out as I went into the camp, I noticed a change in their attitude.   This touched my heart and I would go in no matter how busy I was. I got close to a few of the campers. They would ask questions like why did Jesus died, how did he come to earth. They were getting hungrier to know the gospel. Furthermore, the ones who showed a lack of interest initially were starting to listen to our lessons. I strongly encourage those who has the time or those who has the burden to join in the next trip, because not every camp has a Christian Fellowship. Go in and see it for yourself!

<strong><em>Vincent
<span style="color: #888888;">Facilitator</span></em></strong>

<strong><em> </em></strong>

I am glad that I was offered this opportunity to serve as a facilitator in the Christian class in National Service. I feel that this is a special experience altogether. I felt that everyone needed the Lord, doesn't matter whether they are from different cultures, background, male or female etc. I learnt a lot by teaching them. One of the things I've learn is in the area of faith as I'm a relatively new Christian. When we prayed for them, I was surprised by their willingness to share their life with us. They will share problems in their family even their bad habits that they are struggling to overcome with us. Another thing that touched me was their eagerness for a break though in their lives. Also, I was touched by the unity of our team. I felt that whatever we did we had the help of God and the Holy Spirit. I pray that they will keep God in their heart and continue their walk in Him.

<strong>Yee Fong</strong>
<em><span style="color: #888888;"><strong>Facilitator</strong></span></em>

I was born on 1989, naturally I was one of the candidate for NS. I prayed and submitted to God. If He wanted me to go, I would willingly go. Well, it turns out that I was not chosen for NS, I was to serve in NS instead. The youth in NS is actually a harvest ground, while we are the workers. Though out this camp, I could see that God led us though. If He did not, we would not know why we were there, what to do and how to do it. Kudos if you have been in the camp! If you have not been there, I strongly implore that you try it next year. This camp was a new, fresh experience. Every one of the campers came from different states and family background. Thank God that we had the chance to share the gospel with these group of people. Because they had no idea who is Jesus. In this three months, the campers have gotten to know Him as the one and only God and saviour. I'm glad that over 40 souls were saved in this camp. This means that another 40 souls has been added to the kingdom of God. All glory to God! I was touched that some of the campers offered to treat us food. They really treated us as friends. I didn't imagine that we could get so close in three months. I could see that though out the camp God is upgrading and leading us. Don't miss the opportunity to serve God in the NS camp!

<strong><em>Jenny</em>
<em><span style="color: #888888;">Facilitator</span></em></strong>

I am not a facilitator for the NS camps, but instead I was a participant of the 2007 3rd batch in a National Service camp. Though out these 3 months, I felt as if I was sent by got to this alien place to evangelize. At first, it was hard because I was the only Christian out of 50 girls in the camp. Thankfully, God sent a batch of youth from my church to facilitate the Christian Fellowship in the camp. Every Thursday, I would see a bunch of familiar faces. This served as a great encouragement to me. Also, as a Christian in the NS camp, the Christian Fellowship served as a source of encouragement to me. Having been though the NS, I felt that it was an eye opening experience. Before the NS, I couldn't really related to some of the things my pastor said in the church because I have not experienced it. You would experience what you have heard in the sermons. For example, pastor told us that we would be laughed at because we are still virgins. Well, that is exactly what I experienced in the second night of NS. The youth nowadays are looking at all kinds of stuff just to fill in the emptiness in their heart. They lack that love that is fill up by our Father in heaven. Hence, they look for it in their homes, in their boyfriend, even in branded items. We as Christians have found it. But many a times, we don't dare to share it; we don't dare to take the first step to tell them the answer to their question. They really  need God's love. Though NS, I felt that I should take the first step to share the gospel. If you know someone who is going to NS, encourage them! They really need your encouragement. I also recommend that church members should take the opportunity to serve God in the NS camps. Take that step and you'll see that that God has something for you in the camps!

<strong><em>Queenie</em></strong>
<span style="color: #888888;"><strong><em>Campers</em></strong></span>
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