Vietnamese Alliance Youth

Once again The ROCK! and V.A.Y. are joining together to worship God in the beautiful mountain of Santa Cruz.  Many of you know about this already and have made plan to attend.  This blog gives you more detail and shows you how to sign up.

When is it?

From 4 pm on Friday Aug 13 to 2 pm on Sunday Aug 15.

Where is it?

At Camp MayMac, the same beautiful conference center that we went to last year.

Whom is it for?

Middle School, High School and College students.  (this year we open up a small group for college students because there were some interest last year)

Who is our speaker?

Bobby Lee, Lead Pastor at the Convergence Church in Oakland and also co-founder of the Dignitas Project, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower people in the poorest parts of the world.  Bobby is a compassionate and gifted speaker.  He will bring blessings to many of us with his challenging messages.

How much does it cost?

Facility cost has increased this year but we keep the registration fee the same at $150 per person, provided that you send in your registration by July 23.  There will be a late fee of $30 if your registration is post marked after July 23.

How do I sign up?

If you are from The ROCK, follow the instruction in THIS LINK.  Contact Helicon or Betsy for more information.

If you are from Trinity or one of the Vietnamese churches, just download THIS FORM and send it in with the deposit.  We request that each church sends in all registrations together and please just pay the full amount if you can.  If you cannot attend for any reason we will refund the money, minus the deposit amount.  It helps make our lives much easier.  Thank you.

A note about available space and deadline:

We only have space for 75 campers.  We anticipate a full turn-out this year so send in your registration quickly to reserve your space. Remember we had to shut down registration last year when our capacity was hit.

Also, you must register by July 23, or you will be charged a late fee of $30.  No exception!  Our volunteer staff are super busy with other responsibilities too, and late registrations just make our jobs much more difficult.  Thank you for understanding!

Recruiting Leaders:

We strongly encourage that each church sends at least 1 leader for every 6 campers.  Our mission is to develop youth leaders for the local churches, and so a part of our camp purpose is to network youth leaders and empower them to serve.  Talk to your pastor, encourage your youth group leaders to come, or sign up as a leader at camp if you qualify.   There is a mandatory training session for all staff and leaders on July 17 (Saturday night) that you must attend.   There is also a registration discount if you serve as a leader at camp.  The detail will be announced later, but for the time being just keep that date open (July 17) if you are considering being a leader at this camp.

How do I get more information if  I have questions?

Just leave a comment to this blog, or contact Betsy and Helicon (the ROCK), or pastor Andrew (SF church), or Josh Du (Trinity), or Daniel Diep or pastor Hung.  You know how to reach us!

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL AT CAMP!

Thank God for an awesome camp.  The speaker (David) was anointed.  Worship sessions were moving.  Leaders were dedicated.  Campers were on fire.  Weather was perfect.  Facility was the best.  Everybody left camp wanting … MORE!

These excellent pics are provided courtesy of Ryan and Liz.  Thanks guys!

Here are the reflections people wrote at the end of camp, in no particular order:

1. My camp leader who is Danny is like a brother to me.  Everyone was being honest at camp fire to share their experience about God and their life, that touched me.  I felt like I am not alone going through struggle situation.  Some how, it encourages me in my faith when I heard their testimony.  I felt welcome in Camp May Mac.  People are opened, nice, and love.  The lessons from Pastor David are great especially the message form Saturday night.  I love this camp even though I just came at lunch on Saturday.
2. This was the best (out of about 4) camp I came to.  Not only did I have lots of fun, but also the worship teams Pastor David, were awesome.  I think it’s the first time I’ve been able to fully use worship songs to, well, worship.  And I really enjoyed doing that.  Through this, God’s become closer to me and now I’m not afraid to show my whole heart to Him.  I commit to spend time every day with God through devotions, and I hope I won’t just drop everything I’ve learned here.  VAY camp ROCKS! (I’m out of time… well, not really, but…  OH… I love the food here).
3. Well, God had touch me through Pastor David’s preaching.  It was great because it reflect back of how I use to suffer at school.  I’ve related to Joseph condition of how he was mistreated by his brothers.  I was the same situation at school, because that one time everyone seems so offended toward the fact that I believe in Christ and they even say “Your God is not with you” to discourage me.  Everything was like hazard.  I was really touch because now I can confident take my difficult road by believing that God has a plan for my life.  I commit myself to believe in him and be patient with his plan. The camp was great.  The people was awesome.  It was perfectly cool, and amazing.I thank Pastor David for reminding us that God always has a bigger & better plan for us than we realize & sometimes we forget that.  We are always focused on the bad & wonder why God wants us to suffer.  But we must always remember that there is something bigger & better ahead of us.  I have made a commitment with God to do @ least weekly devotions (one step @ a time!) THANKS!
4. I learned that God has a good plan for my life, my suffering is in God plot making that I am a main character and that God is always by my side that he run and break the wall and proclaim that I’m his daughter and bring me to the finish line with him by my side.  Live for God!
5. Practicing with our worship team as well as Trinity’s worship team was a real blessing.  I’ve learned to pray honestly to God and let Him speak through me.  As it was my first time leading a group this big, I was really nervous, but I felt God guiding me as we worshipped and it was an amazing experience.  GOD ROCKS!
6. After seeing so many others of the same age doing so many things that help others; evangelize, small group leaders, worship leaders, …, and also see how ready they are to give their all to Christ, first thought, WOW!, second thought, WOW!, third thought, I AM INADEQUATE! I twant to do MORE for HIM!
7. God touched me from the great worship and messages and all the people here.  What I learned was to not take revenge, but to do the right thing, God no matter what has loved us and has a great plan for us, and that we should follow that plan and not going alone or do something that doesn’t go along with the word or God’s plan.  My commitment is to try my best to stay with God.
8. God has touched me through worship this year.  The lyrics of the songs triggered a near break-down from how deep his love is for us.  This past school year I went through hard times dealing with knowing who has my back all the time.  I was so blinded by my problems that I didn’t see God’s light.  It was basically put aside for the most part.  Now after camp, I do know God’s there with me and for me 24/7.  I will do devotion every week now.  VAY is so boss!
9. I learned that God has good plans for you and you should never doubt him even if something bad comes your way the always has his arms opened for you.  Detractors can get in the way of your relationship get in the way of your relationship with God and you shouldn’t let it get in the way.  I am going to try to keep my relationship with God stable and strong.
10. Honestly, I love this camp and thank you for giving me a chance to be here and participate.  Being here at this camp has been really useful because I’ve had a chance to listen to many different testimonies.  I’ve made a commitment to do everyday devotion with God because I’m tired of listening to others testimonies.  I want to experience my own connection with God. I love this camp.  I want to go again.  Thank you for all of the people that gave us this chance.
11. I feel that I have been slowly but steadily drifting away from God for the past couple of years.  Every time I go to a retreat it’s like I took a step in the direction of getting back on track.  But I find myself going back to old ways.  This retreat, I feel like I have a chance of staying on track.  The pool was really cold.  Materials and devotions were helpful.
12. I feel revived, & before I was sometimes ashamed of my desire to work for God, but now I feel like if I have to be ashamed of it I shouldn’t have that desire.  I wish I was Vietnamese.  Cuz VAY=AWESOME
13. The whole camp, all I was thinking about was how unfair it was that not everybody can experience God’s love, but God reassured me that there is more to.
14. After hearing Pastor David’s messages about suffering, discouragement, and detractors, I really sensed relief.  For so long I have been struggling with my faith, family, etc. and searching for some way out.  Here at VAY/The Rock Youth retreat, I strongly feel God’s commitment to me to always e there—reminding that he had a master plan for my life.  Just the week before I read this verse Psalms 118:8 “It is better to trust God, than to put your confidence in man.”  This was God’s message to me.
15. (This camp is a) 10 because I got to mingle with people that are going through some things I am & they aren’t afraid to share it.  I was ill this weekend & I am so touched by how caring and welcoming everyone is.  I am thankful you guys prayed for me & I was able to come back to camp instead of being sent home.  I love this camp because even though it was my first time everyone is so friendly & becomes friends with you instantly.  Over the past year my relationship with God wasn’t as strong as it should be.  Coming here reminded me that God is always here for me, to guide me & that He will never leave me.  I am thankful for that.  I am definitely coming back next year!
16. From all the messages that Pastor David shared, I learned a lot of things.  One thing was that God has a plan for everyone.  Sometimes times might seem bad but you need to just hold on and God will be there to make it better.  This camp was not just a spiritual high and we should take this feeling to our everyday lives.  The worship teams were awesome! It was a great experience.
17. For about 4 or 5 years, I was always a little bit hesitant to accept God in my heart.  However, I still managed to drag myself out to weekly youth group meetings and church on Sunday, just without feeling any real connection to God.  But by coming to this camp and meeting all these Christian people who are just so committed to their faith has really opened my eyes and I think made me that much closer to God as well.  Food was good.
18. God has touched me in so many ways.  The reassurance that he is always there.  Knowing that I’m being loved by someone who will never abandon me.  He just wonderful, awesome, great, super!! I love him.  I’ve learned that he has a path for me and I shouldn’t worry.  IM GROWING!!! I LOVE HIM!!
19. Worshiping God here really helped me get closer with God. I learned that He is always there for me and I can always trust when there is no one else.
20. Even though I’ve heard this all my life, I can finally say that I truly believe God has a good plan for my life.  I’ve been blessed with a second chance to reconfirm my faith with God.  I can’t believe that I felt God’s strong presence.  This camp has helped me grow spiritually and I can’t wait for next year.  The campfire program helped me to truly feel God.
21. I really enjoyed the worship led by the Rock.  That was the first time that I really worshiped.
22. I am happy that God let me come to this camp.  I really enjoyed it.  I want to come back next year.
23. I think my faith has been renewed, filling up on faith at the camp “gas station” but I hope to keep it filled. VAY ROCKS.
24. God has showed me that even young people can be genuinely fired up for God.  The passion that are in their hearts are just amazing!!! I learned that God has a plan for all of us.  We are his plot in time making.  Can’t wait for next year.
25. I have make a new commitment that I will not do the ping pong effect. I love the WORSHIP!
26. Met many new people. God is good.
27. I’m going to put God first and pray and try harder in everything I do.  This camp is the best.
28. It was okay.  Weekend was by really fast.
29. I learned that God has a plan for my life even though I doubt that sometimes I’m going to try to stay committed to lining in a  more Christianly way because I really doubt right now, I’m going to try to truly believe in God.
30. This year was the best year ever!  I learn at camp that God is even with you during quiet time.  I also learn that God has a GOOD plan for us, we just have to stick around to see what it is.  This camp is perfect the way it is.  No need to change it.
31. This year, God has really challenged me which lead to many things.  In the end, it was just to know that I have to trust him and know that he ALWAYS provides.  Influenced by the examples of others.  Make the retreat longer! Had lots of fun.
32. This camp revived my passion to serve and worship.
33. (This camp is a) 10 because I had a great time, made new friends, and got to connect with God. God has helped me when I needed him.  He was always with me and always will be.  He has given me courage, faith, and he dispelled all my fears.  I learned that no matter what bad events happen to us, things will always get better because we are all in God’s master plan.  I made a commitment to try and read the Bible and pray multiple times a day.
34. I will now try my best to grow closer to God as much as I can.  I will be committed to him as much as possible, and trust him to guide me to the right path, help me make the right decisions.  CAMP WAS AWESOME!
35. My experience with God was very renewing!  The worship really reminded me of how it is I am living for every day.  The message was very inspirational as I had lost sight of God’s plan for myself.  Thanks for a time of reconnection with God away from home!  Going back I am even more encouraged and feel I am closer in my walk with God as I try to live a Jesus Christian life!  Thank you so much everyone! <3
36. God has truly blessed me during this camp.  I’ve learned that no matter what hurdles or troubles I face, God is still there for me, carrying me when I’m hurt or down, helping me get towards the “finish line.”
37. My relationship with God hasn’t been really good this past year but through the past experiences I went through this summer and cap has reassured me by relationship with God.  I learned a lot from the message that Pastor David gave and I was able to relate to it and apply it to my own life.
38. I learned no matter how things turn out, it is all the part of God’s big plan.  God has a big, great plans for me and I will follow the path he points me to.  JESUS ROCKS!
39. I’ve learned that God is everywhere. Even when you feel that you are alone, God will always be there for you. I did and that’s all thanks to this retreat, it was great!  Retreats are fun!
40. This year I’ve been closer to god than I was last year. He has always been there for me through the highs and lows of my life. I’m continuing to grow and make more commitments to god gradually. Thank you for this retreat. See you all next year!
41. I loved connecting with new/semi-new kids from other churches that happen to be going through the same situations as me. I feel that God has placed them in my life for a purpose. VAY IS BOSS
42. I had the most awesome worship the most awesome worship of my life and God really touched me this weekend, and I could feel his presence like never before. I also learned about God’s plan for me and it has really opened my eyes. Thank you David and VAY! Trinity would love to lead worship again!
43. It has been a sweet blessing to attend this retreat, and to see the love and fellowship of all those involved. I can see how this may be a great joy for young brothers and sisters, as it gave them a safe place to nurture and encourage their faith and see its relevance in our daily lives. Thanks you for your prayers and support.
44. God has touched me at this camp, I’ve really reconnected my relationship with him.
45. We learned the Joseph story which taught us to forgive.  To Really start putting God first in my life. To set aside a time to read the scriptures, and devote with god, build a relationship with him.
46. I have made a new commitment to God. I used to not really be joyful about being a Christian but now I’m so thankful to be one. It felt really good to worship God with everything I have.  We should have the camp more often. Like 5 every year.
47. A lot of people have been supporting not just this weekend but throughout. This weekend has been great because God has opened my eyes to see that he has a good place for me. God is good, All the Time. All the Time, God is good.
48. I make a new commitment to be more patient to observe God’s plan unfolding. There should be a warning sign about some big tree roots that protruded on the surface, so no one would fall next time.
49. I loved it here I felt so welcome. God, I know he has touched me but I’m just not sure how seeing all of these people and how seeing all of these people and how I’ve praised God makes me Look like a terrible Christian. I really am gonna try to be a better Christian this year.
50. Leading worship has really taught me how to think about more than oneself and to keep a humble heart. I realized how much I need God in my life and I will to the best of my ability dedicate myself to Him. Hope it even better next year.
51. I have learned that God has a plan for us and that everything we go through is to set for our future. Better games.
52. There is always a good plan that God has for us no matter what’s happening in our lives.  Better games next year
53. When I came to his camp, I felt as if I lost my connection with God and I was hoping to find it again here, and I did, and this time, my relationship with Him is stronger, sturdier, rock solid.  I love how everybody here at Camp Maymac is so welcoming and so friendly, the sermons really touched my heart and the worship teams really showed their love for God, from the Inside Out.
54. God had followed side by side with me for the last 14 years. To be honest last year when I was 13 years old, my relationship fading away from God.  The food was good and I make a lot of new friend this year, thank you for having me
55. I’ve learned that God is always at work and that he would never abandon me. My new commitment is to follow God’s plan for rather than trying to live my own life.  Worship team was AWESOME.
56. Commitment to believe there is a plan for me. Praise the Lord more.  I don’t like the sand here.
57. Everyone has just open their hearts and you feel how He here with us. I go to sleep and I know that God would bless us so much. Pastor David gave us really great messages.  Thank you
58. I have learned that God’s plan will always have some form of pain or suffering. I did not make any new commitment with God.
59. God has definitely answered one of my prayers of adding something different to this camp. I like the open mic session. I thought it was an amazing experience. The people were real. They had real stories. The stories has instilled in me inspiration.  I would like to see better organized games in the future.
60. This camp showed me it’s ok to let your heart out during worship and that it’s good to share discussions about God with new people. My commitment with God isn’t new but it is now a lot stronger.
61. God touched me by showing me that I am a part of a greater story. A greater plot. My purpose in life should be to glorify Him always.  I led worship.
62. The people from VAY were very friendly and outgoing which made me want to friendly and outgoing. My new commitment to God is to NOT sleep during church or a sermon. It’s hard because I didn’t get much sleep this week and it affects my ability to listen to sermons.  Thank you so much for the effort put in this retreat to help us grow spiritually and mentally with God.
63. God really me here even though I’m a leader and been here for like 6 years. I feel a little “old” to be here, but I still have that excitement and the “kids” make me still feel young in jumping up and down during worship… haven’t worship quite like that for a while.
64. I learned that I still need to be a child. I need to follow God’s path for me despite everything. The facilities aren’t great at all.