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Salt & Light, Leadership Camp 2019 was held in St Anne’s church Bukit Mertajam from 1-3 of March 2019 for all campus leaders Penang Diocese. The main objective of this camp which was organised by the Penang Diocesan Youth Network (PDYN) team, was to provide leadership training for the university Catholic Student Society (CSS) leaders as they prepare to embark on a journey of serving the church and to lead the catholic students in their respective campus, and also to create a relationship between CSS of other campuses. Around 40 participants from 12 campuses, volunteers, and PDYN staffs participated in this camp for a fruit filled time of getting to know each other besides gaining knowledge on how to serve in their CSS. Several sessions were held in conjunction with the theme SALT & LIGHT which was led by several speakers, Mayette Bugaon, Deacon Lazarus, Andre Ong and Michael Xavier.
Testimonies
"I have been chosen"
I realized that my self identity is very important in determining who I am and what is my significance. Before this I always saw myself as a disappointment and a person who can't contribute much to other individuals rather the society, due to certain mistakes and wrong decisions made in the past as an individual as well as a leader in the Catholics society of my campus. I have achieved realizing that I am chosen, worthy and put through these situations because I have been chosen for a certain purpose by God and despite all wrongdoings my God still believes in me and knows that I have a bigger purpose in life, and that is to be an example and a leader to all members of catholics society as well as all catholics around my campus over this weekend with God's spirit and grace. Realizing that this is a struggle among most students in tertiary education level, I can use what I've learnt throughout these 3 days to help others who are struggling in the campus.
-Anonymous
"A life with Jesus"
I've learnt that I must truly go through the hardships in order to live a good life (A life with Jesus) which is always a bumpy road, but worth the journey. Was very touched by Andre's session which made me think deeply of myself and was immediately determined to find my own identity as a catholic. -Anonymous
"HE lifted me up"
I've been to many other camps too but this camp was something what I was looking for, from the starting till the end. During Andre's session especially when he calls each one of them from his team to share how God has worked in their lives , I truly realized how God has worked in mine too. There were times when I was financially unstable, lonely, heart broken and etc but each time when I face different kind of challenges, He lifted me up, He brought the change in me, He made me stronger than before. I say this because I was really really stuck in those situations and I do not know what to do and at the same time I had important days like my SPM, finals in matriculation and so on. I surrendered everything to him and that's when I scored well than before. Once I come across all those challenges , I was wondering how could I even make it but during the camp I realized that all these while it was His work.
-Anonymous
"The "slap" continued to tingle me through the night and on the way back to my campus"
I have never felt anything too special for praise and worship sessions and to be frank I was doubting some of the things that Andre and his team testified earlier that day. During the praise and worship session led by Andre and his team that night, I decided to just try to participate properly in it and I also went in front and touched the Altar. Then, the lady came and whispered some general things to me so I honestly thought it was fake. She placed her hand at the back of my shoulder and it started to feel very hot. Her hand was burning me, I felt so uncomfortable. At that moment, I even thought she put on Vicks on her palm to fake it even more but I dismissed that thought because Vicks could not have burned me through my shirt. When she stopped speaking, I finally realized that it was God slapping me for thinking that it was all fake. Then, she started saying something that I unconsciously was thinking of and I cried because it was truly God giving her the revelation about me. The "slap" continued to tingle me through the night and on the way back to my campus, it burned like crazy. I still feel it tingling when I think of that incident
- Anonymous