The BTM camp was a mu
ch older crowd ranging from 18 to 28 years old. At first I felt a little intimidated by the older crowd but then as I got to know them more I thought my original apprehensions were stupid. They were a really nice bunch of people and were a mix both from Bangalore and Chennai. They were really supportive of one another and it was good to spend some time with people my own age. Actually, I was probably one of the youngest there even thought I was a leader. I later found out that most of the campers thought I was Raj’s age and they were shocked to find out that I was really 22. I don’t look 32, surely?
These notes are taken directly from my written journal with a few things added. I hope you will be able to follow my thoughts and feelings. If not, please ask me about anything you’re not sure about or anything more you want to know...
Wednesday 19th May
- Preparation for camp
- Building up a good relationship with Nandu
- Brigade Road and MG Road
- Different outdoor adventure shops looking for gloves. No joy!
- I bought a knife, a mini maglite and a travel first aid kit; coming to a total of Rs. 3000/-
- SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A ‘MACK’
- Getting to know Nandu has been really good. He has been sharing things about himself that he hasn’t with others; past relationships, ambitions, desires, family, views and opinions.
- HAD TO CANCEL PLANS WITH JOSH AND BECKY AGAIN.
- Bus journey at 10.30pm from Satellite bus stand. Not a bad journey although hot and sticky
Thursday 20th May
- Arrived at Ooty, 7.30am
- Beggar women are good actors!
- Had a spicy breakfast at a back street cafe full of flies. It made my stomach feel on fire.
- Bus journey from Ooty to Emerald, the driver was a nutcase! It didn’t help that I had my ‘fast drivin
g’ playlist playing on my I-pod. AWESOME BUS JOURNEY.
- Arriving at Emerald dam it started to pour. Raj was 2 hours behind my group so I decided to take the lead and take everyone to the campsite.
- It rained, flooded and poured!
- I lost my flip flops and trekked 9 km through the Indian wilderness BARE FOOT, soaked to the skin because of the monsoon and my bible got soaked. Not happy!
- Eventually arrived at Avalanche with Praveen, Farrukh, Ankith and Gladwin. Another camp was still going on run by an American ministry.
- 1 hour later the truck arrived and we all had a chance to freshen up and change to warm, dry clothes.
- Dinesh, Nandu and I went to set up rock climbing on the waterfall. COLD! The waterfall was very muddy and heavy this time. Whilst setting up, the group came and it started to pour again. We had to call the whole activity off and pack up in the pouring rain. I felt very sorry for Nandu and Dinesh as they were both very frustrated that their effort had gone to waste.
- We all walked back absolutely soaking and miserable. We found the whole group playing football. This thought was in my head, ‘Do these people realise how much effort goes into the organising and running of these camps?’
- Decided to sleep in the door this time.
- Worship by Roshan
- Talk by Pastor Vincent. I thought there was a good message, themed ‘LINK TO GOD’ and discussing Saul’s conversion to Paul being knocked off his horse. But I thought the delivery style was kind of weird and I didn’t warm to it too much; too long, he repeated himself unnecessarily, he kept shouting and it was too complex and ‘Christian’. Maybe I shouldn’t be so critical but I can’t help these thoughts coming into my head sometimes. I’m sure some people don’t like the way I preach.
- GROUP DISCUSSION ‘How have we linked to Jesus?’
- DINNER! Mostly chicken noodles and chilli sauce.....BUT......for me and Raj and some others we had the luxury of peppered beef steak. Lush!
- Absolutely knackered and went to sleep early. Had a restless night due to sleeping in what was like a cave full of bears. Why do we snore so badly?
Friday 21st May
- Woke up 6.30 – 7.30
- Sleeping in dorms with 15 other blokes must create quite a stench in the morning.
- I shared the morning devotion, talking a little bit of testimony and how God has changed my life and asking ‘What plans has God got for your life?’ (I also need to prepare more and have more structure and more importantly need to seek God more in prayer and through the word)
- I’m started to struggle with all the flipping rice.
- AM activities ‘river crossing’ and ‘tree climbing’. I took a back seat in leading because I wasn’t feeling up to it. IS THIS A BAD ATTITUDE?
- Had a go at tree climbing; found it very difficult and my arms and legs ached afterwards. BUT I persevered and got to the top eventually!
- PM activities I lead the river crossing which I really enjoyed because I was able to interact with people well and give constant encouragement. I thought the blind folding exercise where people guide one another was really effective as it included a larger group of people at a time. Also very ent
ertaining to watch.
- Raj and I took a large group swimming whilst another group played football. People are finding great achievement in learning to swim (or just float with a life jacket).
- HAD A SCARE WITH ONE LAD WHO JUMPED IN AND DIDN’T COME UP FOR AGES
- I gave Raj my opinion about the next few days activities, with my preference (and Nandu’s) being ‘GORGE WALKING’ and ‘KAYAKING and SWIMMING’. These activities could encompass the whole group instead of people waiting around to have a turn at certain rope activities.
- AN EXTREMELY TIRING DAY SO FAR
- I was asked to lead worship in the evening. SONGS: Strength will rise, How lovely is your dwelling place, Light of the world, Lord you have my heart. Also sang a song for a time of ministry; From the inside out.
- Pastors preach was much better tonight I felt. The content of ‘hearing’ God’s word, then ‘heeding’ it (Luke) was really strong and he used good examples from his own life. I still don’t like the style of shouting all of the time and repeating himself. But ‘hey’ we’re all different and the message was good so I didn’t mind too much.
- Dinner I didn’t eat any rice and was prepared not to eat. Sam made some tomato soup for me.
- In the evening we went for a night walk, in the dark. Nandu, Glen and I ran off ahead to hide and scare people. The girls all screamed! Ha ha ha!
- Around the camp fire we played a few games and took turns in singing songs. I played a few secular songs including, Kings of Leon and a bit of Bob Dylan. Everyone seemed to be very relaxed and at ease.
- Went to bed
Saturday 22nd May
- Woke up around 6.45am
- I’m still reading through Matthew and am still really upset that my bible is soaked!
- Feeling exhausted today and my stomach is a little bit upset.
- MORNING DEVOTION: Led by Raj, talking about the activities and comparing them to spiritual truths. Was a good talk and covered a lot in a short time with good interaction from the group. Raj asked me to close with a song, ‘Never let go’ to minister and for a time of reflection and prayer.
- I still think there is so much more for us and God wants to pour out his spirit in awesome ways. If only we had faith and weren’t afraid to trust him and pursue his spirit.
- I opted to stay at the camp when everyone else went gorge walking, because I was feeling so tired and a little unwell. I sort of disappointed myself because of my lethargic attitude and for missing out on the opportunity of getting to know the group more. I said to myself, ‘I’ll do it on the teen’s camp’. So I grabbed myself a couple of hours kip in which I had strange dreams of home. I wish I could remember them!
- Dinesh came to wake me up at 1.15pm and asked about kayaking. I felt really frustrated and annoyed that Raj hadn’t told anyone that I was resting and of the lack of communication in general. I became a little angry in front of people when I shouldn’t have.
- Lunch was late due to another group coming to see Avalanche campsite, and it consisted of vegetable rice and an egg curry. It was okay.
- After lunch I took the group that was ready, kayaking and swimming at the lake. I copied what Anupa had been teaching about the basics of kayaking and only capsized 2 people this time, including Pastor Vincent.
- THE MUD FIGHT WAS AWESOME AND MOSTLY EVERYONE GOT FILTHY!
- Swimming and kayaking went off without a hitch and we even made a massive bonfire on the beach. It was a lush time and fellowshipping with everyone was fantastic.
- Early evening I joined some of the lads to play football. They are really good and I am rubbish. My team won though!
- THE EVENING TALK was about.... well I can’t really remember, but it had an altar call of sorts at t
he end to dedicate their lives again to God and (more important) there was a chance for anyone to know Jesus for the first time. In my heart I was desperately praying that Farrukh would say ‘yes’ to Jesus and accept him as his Lord and Saviour.
- Late in the evening I gave everyone and anyone the chance to say something.... I was over the moon when Farrukh said how much he had enjoyed the camp and loved everyone on it and how much respect he had for Jesus and the Bible. I had never heard this from a Muslim. I was really touched because he said something about me being isolated here in India and how much respect he has for my change in lifestyle. I’m definitely going to email him or call him up. I wish that one day he may come to know how much Jesus loves him. I ain’t giving up.
PRAYER – FARRUKH SHAKIL
Sunday 23rd May
- I woke up late (7.45 am)
- Had to wash up, pack up and clean up
- Breakfast (Purri)
- Morning service in the woods with Holy Communion. I shared ‘The Father’s song’. I felt quite distracted for some reason.
- Arvind got baptised in the lake (he’s from a Hindu background). It was a very powerful moment, ‘Amazing Grace’ was sung. It reminded me of ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’
- I found this girl called Tina very beautiful, but can never talk to her. I HATE SMALL TALK! Why is it that only foolish jokes and thoughts come out of my mouth? Am I made to be a fool?
- Chose to ride in the truck back to Ooty, which was HORRENDOUS! It was like travelling for 2 hours on a dodgy fairground ride which you know really isn’t safe.
- I explored around Ooty for a few hours on my own, unintentionally. Yes, that’s called being LOST!
- I saw a guy with no legs pushing himself around on a piece of wood with wheels who was begging. I walked straight past him at first but then a thought struck me. ‘Tim! He’s got no legs and you’ve just walked by him without giving him anything or without a second thought! What’s wrong with you?! At home you wouldn’t think twice about giving a homeless person a couple of quid. So I felt led to give him Rs. 100/- which to me would be £1.50 but to him would be so much!’ I really believe God is changing me in these sorts of ways because he has such a heart for the poor and the helpless.
- I eventually got to the guest house after about 3 hours and a visit to Coffee Day.
- I grabbed an hour kip due to exhaustion
- The journey back was terrible! Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, no?
- I HATE 9 HOUR COACH RIDES!
DREAMS
I had a dream about sharing the gospel with Farrukh openly and just discussing things with him. Something, which to be honest, I am TERRIFIED to do. Sharing John 14:6 ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. Explaining to him that it is only be Jesus and Jesus ALONE that any of us are granted access to the Father and access to heaven. I can’t remember the specific details of our discussion but I do remember that Farrukh would NOT accept this and he walked away.
God is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and share, letting me know that he will be with me when I step out in faith for him.
What will be the real life outcome? Lets see...
ch older crowd ranging from 18 to 28 years old. At first I felt a little intimidated by the older crowd but then as I got to know them more I thought my original apprehensions were stupid. They were a really nice bunch of people and were a mix both from Bangalore and Chennai. They were really supportive of one another and it was good to spend some time with people my own age. Actually, I was probably one of the youngest there even thought I was a leader. I later found out that most of the campers thought I was Raj’s age and they were shocked to find out that I was really 22. I don’t look 32, surely?These notes are taken directly from my written journal with a few things added. I hope you will be able to follow my thoughts and feelings. If not, please ask me about anything you’re not sure about or anything more you want to know...
Wednesday 19th May
- Preparation for camp
- Building up a good relationship with Nandu
- Brigade Road and MG Road
- Different outdoor adventure shops looking for gloves. No joy!
- I bought a knife, a mini maglite and a travel first aid kit; coming to a total of Rs. 3000/-
- SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A ‘MACK’
- Getting to know Nandu has been really good. He has been sharing things about himself that he hasn’t with others; past relationships, ambitions, desires, family, views and opinions.
- HAD TO CANCEL PLANS WITH JOSH AND BECKY AGAIN.
- Bus journey at 10.30pm from Satellite bus stand. Not a bad journey although hot and sticky
Thursday 20th May
- Arrived at Ooty, 7.30am
- Beggar women are good actors!
- Had a spicy breakfast at a back street cafe full of flies. It made my stomach feel on fire.
- Bus journey from Ooty to Emerald, the driver was a nutcase! It didn’t help that I had my ‘fast drivin
g’ playlist playing on my I-pod. AWESOME BUS JOURNEY.- Arriving at Emerald dam it started to pour. Raj was 2 hours behind my group so I decided to take the lead and take everyone to the campsite.
- It rained, flooded and poured!
- I lost my flip flops and trekked 9 km through the Indian wilderness BARE FOOT, soaked to the skin because of the monsoon and my bible got soaked. Not happy!
- Eventually arrived at Avalanche with Praveen, Farrukh, Ankith and Gladwin. Another camp was still going on run by an American ministry.
- 1 hour later the truck arrived and we all had a chance to freshen up and change to warm, dry clothes.
- Dinesh, Nandu and I went to set up rock climbing on the waterfall. COLD! The waterfall was very muddy and heavy this time. Whilst setting up, the group came and it started to pour again. We had to call the whole activity off and pack up in the pouring rain. I felt very sorry for Nandu and Dinesh as they were both very frustrated that their effort had gone to waste.
- We all walked back absolutely soaking and miserable. We found the whole group playing football. This thought was in my head, ‘Do these people realise how much effort goes into the organising and running of these camps?’
- Decided to sleep in the door this time.
- Worship by Roshan
- Talk by Pastor Vincent. I thought there was a good message, themed ‘LINK TO GOD’ and discussing Saul’s conversion to Paul being knocked off his horse. But I thought the delivery style was kind of weird and I didn’t warm to it too much; too long, he repeated himself unnecessarily, he kept shouting and it was too complex and ‘Christian’. Maybe I shouldn’t be so critical but I can’t help these thoughts coming into my head sometimes. I’m sure some people don’t like the way I preach.
- GROUP DISCUSSION ‘How have we linked to Jesus?’
- DINNER! Mostly chicken noodles and chilli sauce.....BUT......for me and Raj and some others we had the luxury of peppered beef steak. Lush!
- Absolutely knackered and went to sleep early. Had a restless night due to sleeping in what was like a cave full of bears. Why do we snore so badly?
Friday 21st May
- Woke up 6.30 – 7.30
- Sleeping in dorms with 15 other blokes must create quite a stench in the morning.
- I shared the morning devotion, talking a little bit of testimony and how God has changed my life and asking ‘What plans has God got for your life?’ (I also need to prepare more and have more structure and more importantly need to seek God more in prayer and through the word)
- I’m started to struggle with all the flipping rice.
- AM activities ‘river crossing’ and ‘tree climbing’. I took a back seat in leading because I wasn’t feeling up to it. IS THIS A BAD ATTITUDE?
- Had a go at tree climbing; found it very difficult and my arms and legs ached afterwards. BUT I persevered and got to the top eventually!
- PM activities I lead the river crossing which I really enjoyed because I was able to interact with people well and give constant encouragement. I thought the blind folding exercise where people guide one another was really effective as it included a larger group of people at a time. Also very ent
ertaining to watch.- Raj and I took a large group swimming whilst another group played football. People are finding great achievement in learning to swim (or just float with a life jacket).
- HAD A SCARE WITH ONE LAD WHO JUMPED IN AND DIDN’T COME UP FOR AGES
- I gave Raj my opinion about the next few days activities, with my preference (and Nandu’s) being ‘GORGE WALKING’ and ‘KAYAKING and SWIMMING’. These activities could encompass the whole group instead of people waiting around to have a turn at certain rope activities.
- AN EXTREMELY TIRING DAY SO FAR
- I was asked to lead worship in the evening. SONGS: Strength will rise, How lovely is your dwelling place, Light of the world, Lord you have my heart. Also sang a song for a time of ministry; From the inside out.
- Pastors preach was much better tonight I felt. The content of ‘hearing’ God’s word, then ‘heeding’ it (Luke) was really strong and he used good examples from his own life. I still don’t like the style of shouting all of the time and repeating himself. But ‘hey’ we’re all different and the message was good so I didn’t mind too much.
- Dinner I didn’t eat any rice and was prepared not to eat. Sam made some tomato soup for me.
- In the evening we went for a night walk, in the dark. Nandu, Glen and I ran off ahead to hide and scare people. The girls all screamed! Ha ha ha!
- Around the camp fire we played a few games and took turns in singing songs. I played a few secular songs including, Kings of Leon and a bit of Bob Dylan. Everyone seemed to be very relaxed and at ease.
- Went to bed
Saturday 22nd May
- Woke up around 6.45am
- I’m still reading through Matthew and am still really upset that my bible is soaked!
- Feeling exhausted today and my stomach is a little bit upset.
- MORNING DEVOTION: Led by Raj, talking about the activities and comparing them to spiritual truths. Was a good talk and covered a lot in a short time with good interaction from the group. Raj asked me to close with a song, ‘Never let go’ to minister and for a time of reflection and prayer.
- I still think there is so much more for us and God wants to pour out his spirit in awesome ways. If only we had faith and weren’t afraid to trust him and pursue his spirit.
- I opted to stay at the camp when everyone else went gorge walking, because I was feeling so tired and a little unwell. I sort of disappointed myself because of my lethargic attitude and for missing out on the opportunity of getting to know the group more. I said to myself, ‘I’ll do it on the teen’s camp’. So I grabbed myself a couple of hours kip in which I had strange dreams of home. I wish I could remember them!
- Dinesh came to wake me up at 1.15pm and asked about kayaking. I felt really frustrated and annoyed that Raj hadn’t told anyone that I was resting and of the lack of communication in general. I became a little angry in front of people when I shouldn’t have.
- Lunch was late due to another group coming to see Avalanche campsite, and it consisted of vegetable rice and an egg curry. It was okay.
- After lunch I took the group that was ready, kayaking and swimming at the lake. I copied what Anupa had been teaching about the basics of kayaking and only capsized 2 people this time, including Pastor Vincent.
- THE MUD FIGHT WAS AWESOME AND MOSTLY EVERYONE GOT FILTHY!
- Swimming and kayaking went off without a hitch and we even made a massive bonfire on the beach. It was a lush time and fellowshipping with everyone was fantastic.
- Early evening I joined some of the lads to play football. They are really good and I am rubbish. My team won though!
- THE EVENING TALK was about.... well I can’t really remember, but it had an altar call of sorts at t
he end to dedicate their lives again to God and (more important) there was a chance for anyone to know Jesus for the first time. In my heart I was desperately praying that Farrukh would say ‘yes’ to Jesus and accept him as his Lord and Saviour.- Late in the evening I gave everyone and anyone the chance to say something.... I was over the moon when Farrukh said how much he had enjoyed the camp and loved everyone on it and how much respect he had for Jesus and the Bible. I had never heard this from a Muslim. I was really touched because he said something about me being isolated here in India and how much respect he has for my change in lifestyle. I’m definitely going to email him or call him up. I wish that one day he may come to know how much Jesus loves him. I ain’t giving up.
PRAYER – FARRUKH SHAKIL
Sunday 23rd May
- I woke up late (7.45 am)
- Had to wash up, pack up and clean up
- Breakfast (Purri)
- Morning service in the woods with Holy Communion. I shared ‘The Father’s song’. I felt quite distracted for some reason.
- Arvind got baptised in the lake (he’s from a Hindu background). It was a very powerful moment, ‘Amazing Grace’ was sung. It reminded me of ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’
- I found this girl called Tina very beautiful, but can never talk to her. I HATE SMALL TALK! Why is it that only foolish jokes and thoughts come out of my mouth? Am I made to be a fool?
- Chose to ride in the truck back to Ooty, which was HORRENDOUS! It was like travelling for 2 hours on a dodgy fairground ride which you know really isn’t safe.
- I explored around Ooty for a few hours on my own, unintentionally. Yes, that’s called being LOST!
- I saw a guy with no legs pushing himself around on a piece of wood with wheels who was begging. I walked straight past him at first but then a thought struck me. ‘Tim! He’s got no legs and you’ve just walked by him without giving him anything or without a second thought! What’s wrong with you?! At home you wouldn’t think twice about giving a homeless person a couple of quid. So I felt led to give him Rs. 100/- which to me would be £1.50 but to him would be so much!’ I really believe God is changing me in these sorts of ways because he has such a heart for the poor and the helpless.
- I eventually got to the guest house after about 3 hours and a visit to Coffee Day.
- I grabbed an hour kip due to exhaustion
- The journey back was terrible! Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, no?
- I HATE 9 HOUR COACH RIDES!
DREAMS
I had a dream about sharing the gospel with Farrukh openly and just discussing things with him. Something, which to be honest, I am TERRIFIED to do. Sharing John 14:6 ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. Explaining to him that it is only be Jesus and Jesus ALONE that any of us are granted access to the Father and access to heaven. I can’t remember the specific details of our discussion but I do remember that Farrukh would NOT accept this and he walked away.
God is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and share, letting me know that he will be with me when I step out in faith for him.
What will be the real life outcome? Lets see...
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