I would like to confess that I really was not expecting to enjoy myself on my trip to the 1999 Yosemite Vietnamese SDA Campmeeting. I thought only a few youth from our El Monte church would be coming along to the campmeeting. Therefore, I made the assumption that I would be by myself most of the time or spending my time babysitting small children. My first pleasant surprise, in which there would be many more surprises to come, was that Maggie (Trang) Lam was coming with us on the van ride. Over the length of the trip, I got to know Maggie much better. We had seen each other nearly every week at the church and somehow had hardly spoken a word to each other prior to this trip. I now consider her a close friend of mine. Well, the trip was looking brighter.
The first night of worship, I spotted the familiar faces of the Sacramento youth and a contagious smile leaped onto my face. I had met them at Camp Cedar Falls Campmeeting two years past, and they had not changed. Their familiar faces helped ease my fear of not enjoying the campmeeting. Then, I was introduced to the people whom I would assist in leading the youth services. I was a bit intimidated at first, but each of them put me at ease with their friendly smile and joyful eyes.
The cabins were packed with people sleeping on beds and floors, and added to the coziness and “giant slumber party” feel. The food was pouring out of the kitchen, thanks to the dedicated men and women who woke up at 5:30 a.m. to prepare our meals. The Pastors presented emotionally and spiritually moving talks and sent many people home with the message of “service” within their hearts. The Lord blessed us with the green trees, pure air, and running streams which came together in a sweet song, soothing every soul.
I truly felt God’s presence the whole time as He bonded the people together, no matter the age or the distance from which they came. I wish a heartfelt “thanks” to all who made my camp experience so wonderful. I have come home with a renewed spirit to join together in service for God. The verse in Deuteronomy 10:12 which says, “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” has really come alive for me. I am so glad that I went on this Yosemite trip!
Frances Nguyen
