Jamie Lee, Encounter Camp Commandant   

In 2019, Jamie received life-changing news while on a trip to Bangkok with her friends: her parents were getting a divorce.

“That call shattered my reality,” she recalled. “Hearing my mum, in tears, telling me that my dad wanted to file for a divorce was heart-breaking.”

For nearly three years after, Jamie carried a heavy weight of resentment. She felt like she was the only responsible adult at home and placed the blame for their family turmoil solely on her father.

However, as her university graduation approached, Jamie realised that she no longer wanted to live in estrangement. She longed deeply for her father’s love and connection, prompting her to initiate change.

Determined to rebuild their relationship, she planned a trip to Japan with her sister and their dad, followed by a trip alone to China with her dad.

During both trips, despite moments of awkwardness and disagreements, she witnessed glimpses of her dad’s love for his children and discovered a different side of him that she had never seen before.

She began to understand how much her dad cared for her, marking a new chapter towards mending their relationship.

“Though we may not be the oldest in our families, we can still take the first step in initiating forgiveness and reconciliation,” Jamie shared. “Despite the challenges, giving my family a second chance is something I’m willing to stand for!”

Jamie’s experience reminds us that our parents, too, are human and imperfect. The responsibility for forgiveness and reconciliation doesn’t have to rest solely on them. It is a role that we, as their children, can also embrace.

Cherish the little things 

Noah Phan, FamChamps Council

Noah learnt a valuable lesson during the FamChamps camp in 2014 when a fellow participant shared how much he missed his mother’s home-cooked meals after she passed away.

The participant reminisced about how even a simple dish of salty bean sprouts sparked joyful conversations between them, creating cherished memories.

This short testimony opened Noah’s eyes to the importance of appreciating the small acts of love his family shows daily. 

“I often took my parents’ cooking for granted because it was simply part of my routine,” Noah admitted. “Hearing that story reminded me to be grateful for the little efforts my family makes and to treasure their presence in my life.”

This awareness also inspires Noah to engage intentionally whenever he starts a family in the future, knowing that these small moments create lasting memories. 

To those on a journey to strengthen family bonds, he shares an encouraging message: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the realisation that something else is more important than fear.”

For Noah, there’s no better time to start honouring and cherishing your family than now. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now,” he affirmed. 

Sometimes, we just need to listen 

Angelique Caspe, FamChamps camper 

Angelique believes in honouring our parents by respecting their voices in our lives.

“Though we’re at an age where we can make our own decisions, involving our parents shows that we still care about their opinions,” she explained. 

Whether it’s a major life choice or a small, everyday decision, Angelique seeks her parents’ perspectives as a way to honour their wisdom and experience.

“It may not always be easy to agree with their opinions, but we can at least listen,” she said. 

Since attending the FamChamps camp in 2018, Angelique has also learnt to lend her mother a listening ear, realising that her mother also faces life’s challenges. 

Now, when either of them is going through a tough time, they find comfort in sharing their struggles with one another.

“My family is worth loving, even when it’s painful,” reflected Angelique, who hopes that her generation will find the courage to love first, let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace humility. 

“No matter our past experiences, it’s possible to make a difference in our families and inspire the next generation to dream big about family.” 

Encounter by FamChamps x Elijah7000 

It is clear from these youths’ stories and insights, that each of us has a vital role in cultivating godly families. The journey begins with that first step, whether it’s lending a listening ear, offering forgiveness or performing a simple act of love.

Even if your current family culture is not fully rooted in love or positive actions, there is no better time than now to make a change. May we embrace Joshua 24:15, which declares: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Let this commitment be more than words; let it be our guiding principle that shapes our family’s values, decisions and interactions.

From December 12-14, FamChamps, in partnership with Elijah7000, presents Encounter, an immersive 3D2N residential camp designed for youths to encounter our Heavenly Father and understand His design for family. Through impactful programmes, interactive activities, intentional mentoring, and opportunities to experience God, youths will be equipped and empowered to believe in, live out and champion family.