Kayak fun.....

Being able to be back basking in the sun's rays, comnating blistering tongues of heatwave coupled  and massaged by the nice mid-afternoon breeze and doing outdoor activity is my kinda weekend treat. I love the outdoors very much. With so much complexities, twist and turns of life, I sometimes wished that I could go to the jungle, built a decent home and stay there - away from the maddening crowd - be it friends, foe or plain idiots! But ah...it's whimsical and wishful thinking , right? Afterall, we are already living in the concrete jungle and we've gotta do what we can and still come out sane/insane at the end of it. 

Anyway, getting 24 young adults and children for a kayak experience can be quite a traumatic and chaotic pleasure. I genuinely love these children. Their sweet innocence and genuine concern are quite a challenge to the commanders but at the end of the day, their charms triumphed. I guess, in more way than ever, inadequate exposure, lack of knowledge in regards to the outdoors activities and general over-concern had played a major role in making these children to have mental blocks. However, fear not, the kayak experience is a good introduction to more fun activities ahead from the Royal Rangers Ministry of Melaka # 1. I remembered one sweet boy asking Comdr Steven if there are crocodiles, big fishes or piranha in the lake. Comdr. Steven whispered something into the boy's ears and you could see the colors being drained off the poor boy's face as we all burst out in laughter. If only you could see how one of the boys clung on to my feet after I had taken off  his socks and shoes prior to the kayak adventure. Oh! What a funny but fun sight! Anyway, like always, safety is our No.1 priority and all our chidlren were neatly strapped with life jackets. Some of them look like some bundle sausages while some were totally overshadowed by the life jacket. There is one thing you cannot take away from the children - their enthusiasm and their excitement for the activity itself. Pairing each child with an older boy or older girl was the strategy to build leadership confidence and instillation of fun. Earlier, the children were taught on how to use the paddle and everyone seemed to nod sgnalling comprehension or confusing - did not know which is which!

Anyway, Comdr. Bryan,  Comdr. Stephen Raj and Comdr. John Ng  led this activity and they did a mighty fine job cordinating and ensuring that everything was in order. Two by two, the children were led into their kayak and off they go - paddling their hearts out at the calm lake. It was really fun to hear arguments coming from the kayaks, paddles going in opposite directions, circling of kayak at the same spot and splashing of water by the use of the paddles. It was pure fun and greta time out there. The children loved it after being able to do the paddling and travelled across the lake but always under the watch eyes of the young commanders and older boys/girls.

Nothing beats seeing the joy on the faces of these young ones as they rowed towards the length and width of the lake. Laughters broke out frequently and it was fun to see the chaotic fun happening between the kayaks and the children. After about one hours under the sun, we decided to recall them back to the pier area. Reluctantly each adn everyone made their way to the pier. You could see that some of these children were drenched wet and turning slightly pink shade like little shrimps on a seafood platter but they couldn't care less - they had a great time out there! 

Upon arrival at the sanctuary, the children rushed to their parents and couldn't wait to relate their experience to their parents. I could see that some parents get "dizzy" listening to their children. In many ways, that helped to quell a lot of apprehension on safety and also, quell a lot of myths on what we do in our ministry - providing a fun learning experience, re-living childhood fun and keeping children for Christ. For me, the smiles on the children faces says it all for me. That's worth it, actually~