CampVision: Expedition Agape 2008: November 2008

The carwash weekend's finally here!!! This is a fundraising initiative proposed by the youths *for* the youths to work, throw in all their effort, determination and energy to raise funds and earn their place in the expedition. This is also a tremendous opportunity for them to experience what it's like to engage the public, and share about our initiative, as well as to work as a team to achieve something with tangible effect.

In truth, I never imagined that carwashing could be such a fun activity. Lest you be mistaken, it is indeed back-breaking, tiring, sweaty work and after a while, you start to feel the strength go out of your arms, and your back about to collapse over from fatigue. That is why, other than really enjoying myself, I gained new appreciation and deep respect for those who do this as a profession, heh. But it was really fun, being part of the team, and dedicated to doing & completing the task in unison. It was strenuous, but the youths and the adults who were there, as well as all the kind souls who came to have their cars washed, made it super-fun.

There is also a nice sense of satisfaction from washing the cars! It feels good seeing the cars drive away sparkling, squeaky clean, and it's kinda therapeutic - the process of scrubbing cars clean! :) Never imagined, yea? That aside, the bestest, bestest part of all, was the feeling of gratitude that suffused me over the weekend. There are a lot of things that I'm grateful for:

- God-blessed, beautiful weather. We were right smack in the rainy season, and believe it or not, 8 and 9 Nov were caught in between days of rain, rain, rain. The morning of 8 Nov, I woke up to rain - but, the drizzle stopped and the sun came out with full warm beams by the time we were all at the petrol station. And on 9 Nov, it looked as if the clouds could not hold in all the raindrops anymore, threatening to pour with menacing gray clouds. BUT.. and this is truly a miracle, despite the dark clouds, it never did rain. I couldn't help but feel that a higher being out there is looking out for us and holding back the rain so we can have a great carwash

- Amazing angels in my life. It is a miracle to me to receive Shell Petrol Station's support and also the handwash company - Maxgroom's support. Both parties have been nothing but generous and helpful to us, providing us with so much advice, time and guidance. Without that, this carwash would not have happened at all. Also, I was grateful to be in the right time and place, in the right moment, with the youths and adult volunteers in my life, each touching & inspiring me with their limitless potential and capacity for growth, love & postitive action. That's not all, the strangers who came were great... they were so encouraging, so supportive, most giving us more than the $10 price which we attached to the carwash.

- Team. Carwash is about teamwork... everyone plays different roles, and each role is crucial. We were divided into 3 groups over the weekend, with all of us alternating roles after every few hours - car washing (in the tunnel), car drying (outside the tunnel) and leaflet distribution (or publicity, hehe). Furthermore, every individual's effort counts. When one person puts in less effort because he/she is tired, someone else has to make up for it, and that was a learning point that we brought across to the youths... all of our effort counts, and it is important for all of us to be putting in 100%. When any one of us can't put in 100% because we are too stretched, that's still okay too, because we still have the rest of the team to lean on for support. Teamwork through the carwash; that was an unplanned-for learning point that came out so strongly. I'm grateful for the team and the teamwork.

- The youths stepping up. Seeing their growth was sooooo heartwarming. Yes, they play, have fun and have their fair share of mischief, but they abided by the rules that Shell petrol station set for us, and they were all great, with initiative and energy. I especially loved it when Lewis took over the 'PR' role and was the person explaining to the car owners what CampVision Expedition was all about. That was huge

- Funds raised. We raised a really, really nice amount over the weekend. A total of $1,923.00 and 115 cars washed!

It's a weekend of inspiration, miracles, gratitude, teamwork and big hearts for me, and I truly cherish the experience. Thank you all who came to be there for us.