Tagaytay City, May 12-13, 2012
Every year, CMA Manila with the help of FaithRiders Motoministry hold an event called the Bikers Camp – a reatreat by bikers for bikers that is starteed and ended with a ride. The Camp is designed to cater to bikers of all ages and from all walks of life. This year was the same but a bit different.
A little over a dozen riders who are members of Faithriders & CMA Manila joined in the camp. It was far from the targetted 2 dozen or so but the guys who organized it are not too much on quantity but more on quality. Moreover, they are more interested in what God wanted than what they intend to do. So a week before the camp, it was clear that God wanted the ministry as the participants so the Pastor (Benjie) leading the camp re-designed the content to fir ministry leaders instead of lost souls.
It was actually a refreshing twist to the camp this year. Each year is (as one movie line went) “Like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Indeed. The attendees were all believers and some ministers in their own areas. At the beginning of the camp, it was obvious that it would be a different kind of camp with a different dynamic to it. Nearly all were good friends and because of this, the atmosphere was very family like.
The ride to the camp was effortless and fast. Leaving The Fort at 630am, the riders sped through the back roads of SLEX and Alabang and went to Tagaytay thru Daang Hari and Aguinaldo Hiway. It was a great sunny morning with a hint of cool weather. Clouds overhung and the sun was warm and not hot all morning. Breakfast was at Mushroom burger where the riders rested before arriving at the camp site some few kilometers away. And just like all riders, photo ops were part of the entire trip – taking pictures here and there like tourists on a field trip.
Upon arrival at the Lake Garden Hotel (the camp venue), more photo ops and some orientation went underway before breaking for lunch and siesta. The afternoon slumber was broken by thunderous noises by the bikes as they started the bike games at 3pm with the slowest race uphill and downhill followed by a tageting game where riders tried to land their gloves at a designated “X marks the spot” on the ground while riding. Some wheelies were popped and lots of carbon monoxide inhaled and the day was only beginning.
Come evening, there were more interesting and fun games, talks and sharings that touched on the greatness of God and his creations. It was a wonderful time to rediscover what many forget. It was a great moment of reflection and teaching. Pastor Benjie enlightened all of us on how small we all are like specs of dust in the universe yet loved by a great God. Imagine yourself being a spec of dust and a human (a super giant compared to you) paying attention to you lovingly and wanting to be part of your life. That is our God – not only a great God but a God & father that loves us no matter how itsy bitsy tiny we are in his universe.
The night was capped off by a wonderful ride to eat bulalo in the crisp cold air of the hilly roads around Taal Lake. There’s nothing like a good ride with friends to end a good fun and enlightening day. But the night fun extended into a few more hours into the next morning with more free chatting under the clear blue night sky with an awesome night view of the lights surrounding Taal Lake.
The next morning was just as awesome. A few went for a ride down to Talisay for coffee and breakfast was served at 8am. This was followed by a hilariously fun game before starting the next talk by Pastor Benjie about how we are all “cat or dog” Christians – very interesting way of looking at God fearing people. After which, there was lunch, more sharing, pray overs and final words before ending the camp formally.
The one thing that can be said about the camp is that it is unorthodox. The experience left the attendees with a stronger bond with one another and with God. The message and teachings were delivered in a fun and interesting way. The games perked up the campers. The chats deepened their understandings. The lessons enlightened their minds and opened their hearts. What remains to be seen now is what life awaits each rider after deepening their relationship with God. Only time will tell.
Thanks to Pastor Ronnel for his inputs and advice for this camp. He normally leads the camp but was unable to at this time due to schedule conflicts with his church’s.
Thanks also to JIM & Archie for contributing extra to the camp finances. Your help went a long way! 
If you would like to know more about CMA Manila and/or Bikers Camp, please visit our facebook accounts – just search for “CMA Manila” or “Bikers Camp” or “Faithriders Motoministry”. Or you can visit our website at christianbikers.faithweb.com. You can also get in touch with us at 0932.532.7222 or at cmamanila@gmail.com.
God bless you all!