Life is not always easy; it was not meant to be so. It's a time of testing and proving.
We learn to handle disappointment and sorrow, which in turn builds character and increases our compassion for others.
(thanks kandace)

this probably summed up the 3 weeks (and especially a long 9 days) spent in brewnai of how just grabbing ur gear and surviving after climbing mountain after mountain and living through hellish weather that makes u think 'no thanks. this ain't my cup of tea.' JCC was simply described as an exercise to test the physical and mental endurance of the participant, and definitely the team's cohesion too. the first 3 days were so demoralizing having failed to achieve the targets expected of us, but dang we cried when we planted our own 'flag' on the end of the 5th day. i'd say i was lucky to be part of the team of 8 (it was 10, but no thanks to some insects which we cannot identify and name - they were too fast too furious - and a freak accident involving rambutans) during and throughout this whole experience of 9 days. coming back in 1st, the camp (and changi airport after stepping off the plane) never looked more beautiful.

however, i still harbor thoughts that i might not really have deserved the recognition of going through and passing the course. sure its pretty awesome to say 'been there. done that.' but whatever the case is... i'm not forgetting the lessons i learned from this trip no matter how they may have scarred me (mozzies, sandflies, hornets, freak accidents, feet looking like they belong to a 99-year old and more). that's a better takeaway than a badge. i've definitely learned how much i need to lean on the Lord's strength and that i could have done better had i not listened to all those thoughts of 'u know ure just gonna be a burden.'