Whew, what a weekend it has been. It seems like so much has happened since I was last here and yet I feel so tired, I don’t know how much I’ll get to write. But enough of my complaining, on with the show.

So Friday was the day that I went to the Men’s Retreat. It was also the day that I had to get fitted for the tux to wear to Mikey and Liz’s wedding (I’m not sure if I already mentioned that in a previous entry), it was also the day that UH got completely destroyed on the blue turf in Boise. Man that was one hard, depressing game to watch. Mikey and I were almost at tears (you know, if real men cried). Anyway, after watching the game Mikey and I headed off towards Camp Homelani and the Men’s Retreat.

When we got there (after a brief stop to pick up dinner and other essentials) I was surprised at how many men there were. I mean it’s not like I thought it would be empty, but there were men there than I anticipated. I was supposed to play drums on the first night but Bodie was already on the drums and I didn’t have the heart to kick him off so I let him play. I’m not sure if it was the correct move because drums are super important during worship. They can either help the worship experience or pull away from it. To me, they were sort of distracting because I know what I’m listening to and sometimes musicianship does play a part in worship. I know this sounds shallow but sometimes an “off” instrument can be really distracting. So anyway, I let him play and did my best to worship. After all, it’s not about me anyway. God is still God no matter who plays the drums. Pastor Mike Kai from Hope Chapel West Oahu did the preaching on the first night. He was really good, he talked about the life of David and the lessons to be learned both from his victories and his failures. Then he did something that I never thought I’d see from him. At the conclusion of the message he asked if anyone wanted prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was in shock. Let me back up and say that I was one of his youth leaders when he was the Youth Pastor at our church and I had never seen him do anything like that when he was in Kaneohe so this was kind of a surprise. Anyway, the Spirit sure was moving and a bunch of guys raised their hands. I know he was kind of surprised by the response and so he asked some of us to pray with people. I had the same experience at a youth camp a few years ago. I asked if anyone wanted to pray and receive tongues and like three quarters of the group came up. That night was really great though, I remember just ministering with my friends and being able to pray with some of the youth including my sister to receive tongues. But anyway, I got to pray with some of the men, so that was cool. Afterwards Mikey and I got to hang out with Mike. It was like old times. I kind of miss those old times. Oh well, I know God has something better for me and that I get to create new “old times” with my leaders and friends.

The next morning was also good (despite Mikey’s snoring), Mike spoke again this time about the 11 things that will disqualify a priest. It was really cool the way he made it apply to today. That may be the most I have ever gotten out of Leviticus. Free time was really fun. I played a little basketball (very little since I didn’t have shoes) and some softball. I never realized how much fun softball is. I had a complete blast. I hope I can get a singles team together to play next spring. That would be so much fun.

I a side note I forgot to mention this earlier, since Halloween is tonight, last week someone donated a bunch of candy to the church. By a bunch, I mean seven pallets of the stuff. Much of that candy made it to the retreat. It was incredible. Like a store. More specifically the candy aisle. There was like 20 feet of solid snacks. Not just candy either, there was pretzels, chips, cookies, nutri-bars, apples, bananas, grapes and a whole boat load of candy. Today, since it was the last day it was like leftovers at a party. Everyone was making plates to take home. Funniest thing to see a bunch of grown men carrying plates of candy.

Anyway the last night of camp Pastor Mark Hsi from Hope Chapel Manoa spoke. He was also very good. It was funny because he has such a different style than Mike Kai but they are both very effective in conveying the message. Mark spoke on rousing the warrior. He is a pretty intense guy and he knows so much. It is really evident in his messages. He knows his Scripture so well and he also has such a grasp of current and world events. It is amazing to hear him put it all together. He also ushered in the Spirit in a way that I don’t think most of the men there had ever experienced.

After he was done, it was the campfire. Earlier this month, Rob asked me to speak at the campfire. I thought sure no problem. What he didn’t tell me was that I would be following Mark. Basically my introduction from Rob went something like this, “Well, let’s thank Mark for that message. You know, I have probably heard thousands of sermons in my life and I have to honestly say, of those thousands, Mark delivered the best sermon I have ever heard in my life. Now, let’s go to the campfire. I’ve asked Scott to share with you guys.” Talk about a set-up! Sheesh, how was I supposed to follow that? Actually, it was okay because I had prayed and prepared too. I know I was being obedient to God and there really wasn’t any problem. I wasn’t nervous or anything even though it was the first time I really led anything with people that were so much older than me. God even gave me a word to deliver to this other man. At first I thought it wasn’t anything, until I heard what it meant to him. Man, I gotta just start trusting more. All in all, God is still God and he is still very good to me.

This morning I did play the drums. I hadn’t played drums in awhile but I did have lots of fun. I just hope it was worshipful and I wasn’t the one being distracting. But then Mikey had to leave for work and since I was his ride home, we left right after worship. So today was pretty relaxful. I just put away my tent and sleeping bag and went to dinner at my mom’s. Everyone came over for poker and I was the first one out again. Man, I just can’t get decent cards then even when I do, someone else has better cards. Didn’t win one hand tonight. Maybe God’s trying to teach me a lesson. Well tomorrow I gotta speak at our Single’s service so I need to finish preparing for that. I’m excited because I think God’s got a good word for everyone and Frank agreed to play drums too. Ah, God is so good!