Summertree


	Kumarvel's story On May 15th 2007, I was a broken manfrustration, depression, a feeling of being unloved and unwanted, fear, guilt, anxiety, low self esteem, the list is endless. I was not happy with my programmer job, my spiritual life was in total shambles I used to go to church for half service, quarter service: coz mom wouldnt allow me to stay at home on a Sunday morning, my personal life was collapsing: with over 250 contacts stored in my mobile, I always thought Your network is your net worth but I was alone; I was feeling so unloved, so alone, so desperate for a companion. Nobody knew all this. The world knew me as a friendly guy with a ready smile outgoing, jolly, ready with jokes and guffawsI was crying, my heart bleeding deep inside NOBODY KNEW! Spiritually I was far away, four years in college ruined me I remembered the heights from where I had fallen; I was someone who was closest to God in school: I received the Holy Spirit Baptism when I was 17, here were days when I started from home with the Bible in my hand and walk straight into a browsing centre or Landmark for 2-3 hours and get back home. And secret sins were in adding to the din! I didnt have a vacation in a year and was checking out travel sites to see if I can take a 3 day holiday just to collect myself together. May 15th (Tuesday) evening: I stay back in office due to work. By 7:00 PM, work is done I plan to take the 8:20 bus homeSo here I sit, clearing my mailbox. Theres a mail titled Reg. Sishya Camp I open this mail and it talks of some camp starting that Thursday near Kalpakkam. A lot of speakers were listed CEOs, leadership trainers, etc. had a lot of focus on management (yes, I am one of the dudes that dream of MBA and B schools sitting in front of a PC in an IT company!) I was interested. I thought I could certainly afford a 3 day break by the sea side for Rs 500/-. I decide to go! The Camp We reached the camp at 8:30 PM ; the crowd in the auditorium was breaking for dinner A multitude of youth did I see, trendy, English Speaking, carrying Bibles, laughing and chatting; the breeze at the entrance of the Audi was so strong that it was blowing steel tumblers off; I was in office clothes, almost flying away. The wind beat my face. Somewhere in the corner of my heart there was a twang- like ropes being cut off: I knew I was in the right place. The first session I attended next morning was Being a Champion for Christ by Mira Bhupathi (mother of tennis ace Mahesh) here she was, all of 59 years, wearing designer clothes and jewellery , sporting a trendy hairdo, the mother of a millionaire talking Jesus! I was someone who thought the kids who didnt fare well in school went to Bible colleges and this was startling! I was surprised by her passion- her courage and love for the Lord. If God gave you one crore for every soul you spoke about Jesus, how many crores are you worth? she asked. I knew I was penniless. Kiran, a friend I got to know in the camp ,during the games shared how he left IIM, Lucknow 6 months into his course to honor a commitment he made to the Lord I was speechless at what a 22 year old guy could sacrifice for Jesus! Things were sinking in slowly. May 19th, the next morning, I attended two sessions Entrepreneurship by Philip Paul and Character over Competence by Samuel Selvakumar (Director of Operation, Vodafone, South India). Then there was Wilfred Davidar IAS, addressing the plenary session. Here were people who have everything they need in life, name, fame, money, great families, but who are so passionate about the Lord! The final cut It was all too much for me to bear my heart, so cold and solid all these days was thumping. I just wanted to be alone alone with Him- I wanted to talk. There was a concert at 6:00 in the evening. I decided not to go. I stayed back in the dorm. It was deserted. I just had one light and fan running. I knew Jesus was thereI started to speak I can still remember that evening as if it happened yesterday. As I spoke, I started crying. I wept like a child. Everything I pursued in life so far looked worthless: my friends, my career, my MBAeverything! I started confessing and begging for forgiveness. Tears were streaming down my face, my body was shaking, in between sobs I asked Jesus to help me I was desperate. I threw away everything I held dear so far and realized that I cared no more for my future or anything but I needed Him. For over an hour I poured out everything. I was exhausted, my eyes were swollen, my throat dry, somehow I sensed a deep peace within. I knew Jesus would forgive me but I had gone too far I thought. I picked up the Bible lying near and told God that I wanted to know what exactly he thought of me at that moment I opened the Bible: the first verse I saw was Ezekiel 36:26 The words struck me like thunderbolt. In an instant I could feel light rushing inside of me. My heart was rejoicing. At that moment I knew everything between Him and I was OK. He wiped away everything in a stroke, I knew I was forgiven. My old life had passed away; it was not longer between God and me. I cried tears of joy. Infinite energy flooded me. I suddenly felt so close to Him and Him very close to me I knew I was in love. I washed my face and joined the other in the Auditorium. Bro. Ramesh Richard was closing his speech. There was an altar call. I saw groups of youth walk up to the front and receive Jesus. I stood far behind, in ecstasy- Tears of joy were streaming down. The breeze from the sea beat me. I wanted to fly, sing and dance at the same time.. THIS WAS THE FIRST HOUR I BELIEVED. And now dear folks, take your step forward. Giving up a working day is really worth feeling Gods love and His touch. If you had doubts earlier, this is the time you take the decision. Bosses, leave balance, etc count nothing before the blood that Jesus shed on the cross! We are waiting for you there, so is Jesus! Come and be blessed! Mercy Ann Ranjan's Story The impact of summer tree in my life... I was born and brought up in a Christian family had accepted the Lord and taken water baptism, but my journey with the Lord was not very stable. I would often backslide in my walk with God. Though many times I ran away from God, He would bring me back to Him. He had planned this camp well in advance for me. I came to know about the camp in February 2009 and wanted to go for it as I never attended camps before. But I wondered how to go from Pondicherry to the camp. But God showed me that His ways are very different. In May my grandmom fractured her leg and was hospitalalised. So everyone was busy taking care of her. I knew it would be impossible for me to go the camp. I had just completed my 12th std and had received my results. I was very disappointed with my marks because it was not enough for medicine and it was my dream to do it. I was upset with God, highly depressed, and didnt want to trust God anymore. And moreover things were not too well at home so by now I really gave up all hope. One day aunty called up and enquired if I wanted to go with her for the camp to which we agreed. I still felt depressed during the camp but on the second day when I met aunty Leentje she counseled, comforted and prayed with me saying that God knew what He was doing and His plans will be THE BEST. That night I recommitted my life to Christ. And from that day on no turning back. Gods ways may be different but His plans are the best. Now I am doing Plant Biology and Biotechnology and am very happy with the best course God has given me. Praise be to God. Tina's Story Hi. I've been to Summer tree for the past two years and Im already waiting for the next one. The camp has been such an inspiration to me. The early morning coffee, eating at the mess, the worship sessions in the auditorium, morning devotion, the workshops by people with real experiences, empowering messages, skits, choreographies, games, meeting new people, beautiful camp site, the thought of which still takes my breath away. If you ask me, the best part about summer tree is the worship time. The amazing music simply makes you forget the world and worship God. The worship team is such an inspiration and makes you wanna sing your heart out. The workshops revolve around topics that todays young generation need. The message delivered by experienced people who are effectively used by God was another motivation to be different from those around me. I remember the night when Ashok uncle spoke in the auditorium after an amazing worship time. He told his testimony which made me realize how blessed I am to have a life without any such extreme problems. I will always remember that night for the rest of my life because that was when I completely gave myself to the Lord. It was a night when I rewound my life and realized what a wreck I was. Ashok uncle was such an inspiration. I confessed to the Lord all my sins and still dont regret for it. The camp was such a blessing not just to me but also my friends and I will attend the camp again this year and hope to see and experience many other inspiring and life-changing challenges. Ciao... Do you have a story too? Write to us at mailsishya@gmail.com