Words A.L.I.V.E. (ICC Chapter Malaysia): July 2014

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Standing Up For Jesus! (July 19, 2014)

Written by Toh Jern Yoong
Edited by Michelle Toh (Coach) and Eliza Tan (Speaker)

Welcome to our 7^th ICC meeting! Thank God for another fruitful learning weekend!

We started out with all the potential, budding actors and actresses of YSG and BPS arriving at 3:30 p.m. to have our first auditions for our very first authentic, original, local-made movie of ICC Words AL.I.V.E.! Here are some pictures of the-soon to be actors and actresses!

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Our leader and producer.......Eliza Tan!

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Our First Actor.... Ranen Chan! He is busy memorizing his script.

Actresses Jern Ling and Eunice in action!

Photos by Nathanael Chong

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Actress Charis rolling her tongue for her role!

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Actor Ian in full concentration

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Actor Jern Yoong...... posing his 'cool' poise!

Actor Nathanael led the way with great acting skills while actor Jaeriel smiled his way through!

Photos by Jemima (left) and Nathanael Chong (right)

Actor Jaedon and BPS actress Jonique!

Photos by Nathanael Chong

Credits to Eunice for writing the audition plan. :)

We took about half an hour auditioning for a few roles. Then we started our meeting with the ice breaker game of the day, led by speaker Nathanael! It was really a humorous acting game where two different persons came out to act short skits respectively on specific subjects given by speaker Nathanael.

Photo by Jemima Chong

The first pair: Charis and Aunty Stacey acted as "a dentist and her patient."

Photo by Jemima Chong

Eunice and Aunty Sandy acted as "the sleepy jailer and the restless prisoner."

Photo by Jemima Chong

Aunty Chih Chin and Ranen acted as "the policeman and the thief."

Photo by Jemima Chong

Uncle James and Ian acted as "two friends who have not met for a long time."

Photo by Jemima Chong

Finally, my dad and I acted out "a man having a hearing problem asking a passer-by for directions to the KFC."

After that, we sang " Speak O Lord" to prepare our hearts for the day's activities and rehearsal because according to Coach Joseph, "When the heart is ready, the mind is open to learning."

Photo by Jemima Chong

A snapshot of the musicians. :)

Then we had our devotion led by Coach Joseph where he threw a question to the parents for open discussion: "What are the changes we see in today's culture that motivate us to send our children to ICC?"

He commented, “The culture around us is very influential, but we have to state our stand on the Bible.”

He even warned that our culture is a growing one because a "No" in the previous generation has become a "Maybe" in this generation and would become a "Yes" in the next generation. We really have to know the truth grounded on the Word of God and be able to communicate our faith to a humanistic society which focuses too much on self.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Coach Joseph showed a lot of enthusiasm in expressing his belief as he shared his convictions on biblical worldview. :)

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Coach Debra listening attentively to her husband. :)

After our devotion and group discussion, I presented my testimony on our visit to the Organic Farm on the 15th of July. A large number of Words AL.I.V.E. members had gone on that field trip as part of a separate homeschool group outing. I shared to the chapter that although I expected to learn about nature, I instead learned a big lesson about "speaking and standing up for what we believe and to not be influenced by others who have different worldviews than us." I thanked Coach Joseph for sharing the biblical principle of Creation and the good news of Jesus Christ boldly during the outing.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

This is me! :)

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Our ever attentive audience.

After my testimony, we had our YSG training led by Coach Alfred. :)

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Coach Alfred giving practical tips on the usage of cards during presentations.

First, we started out by revising vocal variation. Then we sang one of the most-loved songs from Sound of Music, 'Do, Re Mi,' to practice our vocals.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

After the very lively warm-up of the song, five YSG speakers came out to do their second ICC Limited Preparation speech. These are the speakers.........

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Eunice spoke sweetly, sharing her ideas on her speech.

Photo by Jemima Chong

Nathanael spoke with wisdom and confidence.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Jemima spoke confidently with interesting personal experiences.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Eliza used relevant Bible verses to accompany her speech.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Charis spoke softly but steadily.

Meanwhile, the BPS speakers had their own informative teaching session.

Photo by Joseph Tan (Coach)

After our training, the BPS group came back to join us for a debrief on what we learned in our trainings. Then we had our tea break. We had yummy butter cookies and fried Chinese cruller (Yao Zha Guai).

During our break, speakers Eliza Tan and Nathanael Chong presented their unique slideshows on the Wonder of Nature as photos can also be a large form of communication.

Eliza's slideshow on Psalm 23 through the Wonder of Nature:

Nathanael's slideshow titled "Wonders of Creation:"

After our break, we had our choir rehearsal led by Eliza and Aunty Michelle!

Photo by Joseph Tan (Coach)

Although we still need refining, we made progress! Here is a video of all four singing parts! Enjoy!
We definitely have made Coach Dicky (on a family trip in U.S.A) proud!

P/S: Coach Dicky, this is a video of our progress. Please rate! :)

Comment by Uncle Dicky:

"I'm really touched to see and hear it from here. Thank you everyone for your effort and enthusiasm. We miss you all here also. Looking forward to be with you all again in the next meeting."

-------------------------Additional momentous snapshots of the day!-------------------------

Photo by Jemima Chong

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photo by Jemima Chong

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photos by Nathanael Chong

We are truly blessed! :)

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Clarifying Our Calling (July 6, 2014)

Written by Eunice Tan
Edited by Eliza Tan

Wow, time passes by really fast! This is our sixth meeting! We had a meaningful time of fellowship and learned a lot from each other. There is no doubt that we learned many more things about how to become an effective communicator for Christ.

Starting off the meeting with a humorous icebreaker, Jemima asked for three volunteers: Ian, Ranen, and me. The rest of the people was divided into four sections. Together, we all acted out a drama, with the three of us as main actors while the rest made sounds of rain, thunder, lightning, and howling wind as special sound effects. It certainly made the story the three of us acted out more theatrical!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photos by Eliza Tan

After the enjoyable icebreaker, we had a wonderful time of worship as we sang the song 'Speak O Lord' by Keith and Kristyn Getty. The words are truly meaningful and applicable to Christian's walk with Christ. We truly need the Holy Spirit to plant the truth deep in us and help us to remain faithful.

During our devotion, Coach Joseph spoke on how each of us have a purpose in life. He spoke with much passion and relevance. Explaining how important knowing our purpose was, he shared 2 Timothy 1:9, "... who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." We certainly were inspired!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Breaking up into two groups, the speakers went through a worthwhile exercise of writing what we are good at on the whiteboard. Meanwhile, the parents discussed about the importance of helping their children discover their calling in life.

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

Hee hee... I think I know what I'm good at!

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photo by Eliza Tan

Coach James Sia shared to us how he had helped his son find his purpose in life. He encouraged the rest of us to do the same also.

Photo by Eliza Tan

We truly had an inspiring and valuable devotion together!

When the BPSers left to have their own session, we YSGers had another energetic and enthusiastic teaching session from Coach Alfred!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

Coach Choong Ming tenderly admiring his wife :)

Photo by Eliza Tan

Jemima diligently taking notes.

We were taught about how our tone can immensely affect the message of our words. For example, Coach Alfred guided us through an exercise which involved us saying the word 'well' in different kinds of emotions. It truly made a big difference!

Photo by Eliza Tan

He also made some of the speakers and parents dramatically say the words of Julius Caesar:

"I came. I saw. I conquered."

Reactions to some hilariously dramatic portrayals:

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

Also, we realized the importance of a pause in speeches and everyday conversations. Mark Twain mentioned the importance of a pause in this quote:

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Meanwhile, the BPSers presented their impromptu speeches. I am amazed that at such a young age they are able to give impromptu speeches. They did a great job!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Following the fantastic YSG teaching session, we had our second round of limited preparation speeches!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Jern Ling had a very interesting introduction to her presentation and thoughtful conclusion. She also gave very relevant examples.

Photo by Eliza Tan

Ranen spoke fluently and had very suitable transition words. He spoke confidently, and there were not many pauses.

Photo by Eliza Tan

Jern Yoong spoke loudly with clarity and gave his opinion on what he was speaking on. His definition of courage was very clear and true.

Photo by Debra Yeoh (Coach)

Ian had excellent eye contact and gave very suiting Bible verses to support the topic 'God is love.' He also had good examples and related to the audience very well.

Photo by Debra Yeoh (Coach)

Jaeriel did an excellent job in bringing in Bible verses to support his topic and he definitely presented with courage.

All the presentations were truly enjoyable and delivered with confidence! Everyone showed huge improvement! Great job, YSGers!

Photo by Debra Yeoh (Coach)

Coach Joseph then taught us a technique on how we could have more engaging limited preparation speeches. We recognized that we should start by relating our speech topic to the culture and what is happening out there. Secondly, we should share and connect to our audience by giving examples that support our topic. Finally we should end strongly with the truth, our belief, and our conviction.

After all the hard work, it was time to eat!

Photo by Eliza Tan

We had 'bao' and nutella banana popiah! (I have a hand in making the popiah)

Since Coach Dicky was away, my sister, Eliza, led the choir practice :)

Photo by Debra Yeoh (Coach)

In the beginning, we were struggling and found it extremely difficult to sing the correct notes. But with the guidance of Aunty Michelle, my sister, and other dedicated and hard working coaches, we met success! We mastered singing the first two phrases of the song 'I Stand in Awe of You!' We were overjoyed that we were making progress. Yay!