Appreciating all God’s gifts

Aug 17, 2018

SUBANG JAYA: Teenagers from the parish of St Thomas More (STM) recently came together to participate in the Persons Are Gifts Camp at St Theresa Pastoral Centre, Nilai.

The Persons Are Gifts Camp, commonly abbreviated as PAG Camp, is a programme that aims to help young teens aged 13 to 14 years old to discover more about themselves and their relationship with God and others around them.

This camp was run by a PAG Outreach Team from the Teens Ministry STM, which consisted of eight outreach team members aged 16 to 17, and six facilitators, who were all PAG participants from previous years. The team had been going for weekly practices and training for the past one and a half years in preparation for this year’s PAG Camp. Throughout the journey, the team carried out outreach projects and training to hone their leadership qualities and communication skills. They also lived a culture of positivity and affirmation during their training, which helped them to strengthen their bonds with each other and become completely comfortable around each other.

The first day of camp started off with icebreakers which included action songs to get the participants energised. The participants were then separated into small groups and were told they would be journeying together with their group for the next few days. Later that evening, a game of captainball was held outdoors. This game was to instil a sense of teamwork among the participants and gave them the opportunity to interact more with one another. The camp continued with sessions that helped the participants realise that they are wonderfully made by God.

Many times during the sessions, the participants were reminded that they are beautiful just the way they are, despite what others say about them. There were handouts, skits, testimonies and indoor activities for the teens to reflect more about themselves and the kind of gifts that they have.

On the second day, the sessions touched more on relationships with family and friends. These sessions were eye-opening experiences which made the participants realise that they really shouldn’t take these people, who are gifts in their lives, for granted. They also learnt that they are unique individuals whom God has created in his own image. Everyone, although different, is worth no less than the other, for God has a special mission for each one of us. That night, the participants joined together for a prayer night to have a personal talk with God and to spend time in His presence.

On the evening of the final day, the parents of the participants went to Nilai to partake in the Eucharistic celebration together with their children. Fr Nicholas Hoh was invited to celebrate the Sunday Mass. After Mass, the camp continued with Talent Night. All the participants showcased their talents in front of their parents and other family members. Each of the participants, in their small groups, had prepared a skit or a song and dance. The parents were delighted to see how talented their children were. Light refreshments were served in the cafeteria at the end of the programme.

This camp experience helped these young teenagers to realise God’s abundant love for them and the many gifts in their lives. “I’ve learnt to appreciate everyone. – they are God’s creation. We should appreciate everyone for who they are on the inside and not how they look on the outside,” shares Trisha Lee. Another fellow participant, Caitlyn Chung showed her appreciation for this camp by saying, “Being an only child, PAG has given me an extended family who taught me that everyone is different in their own special way and that is how God created us.” Ryan Ng, shared how he enjoyed the company. He said, “PAG camp was fun and the outreach team are really friendly”..

Throughout the three days and two nights, the group of teenagers were touched in one way or another. New friendships bloomed, old friendships became even stronger and, most importantly, a friendship and powerful love for God was experienced. The participants also learned to accept themselves for who they truly are. They now know that they are all God’s greatest creation, that they are all gifts from God.