Words A.L.I.V.E. (ICC Chapter Malaysia): April 2015

Written by Nathanael Chong
Edited by Eliza Tan

Back from IMPACT, prepared to impact!

We have closed a chapter and are now entering a new chapter in the story of Chapter Words A.L.I.V.E.! Having just returned from the IMPACT Conference in Singapore, we were refreshed and enthusiastic about what this new Chapter year has in store for us. To add on to the joyous mood, it was Easter Sunday! We were also bubbling with happiness when we realized that it was our beloved Chapter's first anniversary!

So without further ado, let's begin!

We did not have an icebreaker this day, so we started off with worship. We first invited Coach Dicky to pray in Bahasa Indonesia, and he did! Personally, I don't recall having heard a prayer in that language before. We sang a capella, led by Speaker Ian. We sang hymns that reminded us of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, a fitting recollection for that day.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photo by Eliza Tan

After worship, my dad and I conducted our devotions. We shared about the transforming power of Christ and, linking it to ICC's vision and mission, the challenge to continue living our lives for God.

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Next, Coach Joseph talked with us about ICC mission, Mentoring Christians to Lead, and used our t-shirts to display it.

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Nathanael Chong

He then spoke about the Ten Commandments and got us thinking about how covenants were made in Bible times. In those days, when a covenant was made, one party would state all the things he has done for the other, and so he expected that other party to accept his terms. When God proposed a covenant with the Israelites, He did just that. Coach Joseph asked us why God said the things He did at that time. That really set our brains thinking.
The Ten Commandments start off with God declaring, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." The Ten Commandments are meant to free us, not to limit us with rules. We learned that doing what is right is actually a choice. It is exercising our freedom as God's free people to do what is right. Sin puts us in chains of bondage. The truth is what sets us free.

Photo by Nathanael Chong

He then invited some of the speakers to give a true story about our experiences in the Tournament and Conference. It was pretty much a Limited Prep exercise for us!

Photo by Eliza Tan

Photos by Eliza Tan

Photo by Nathanael Chong

Photos by Eliza Tan

Towards the end of the meeting, Coach James Sia briefed us, particularly the coaches, about the Methodist Center we were considering as a venue for this year's ICC Retreat. We are definitely looking forward to it.

Photo by Eliza Tan

We were finally dismissed, and for some of us, the fun was only beginning! This was the moment the speakers had been waiting for. Not only was it Easter Sunday and our Chapter's 1st anniversary, but it was also Speaker Eliza's 16th birthday! We had planned activities for her for weeks, so we weren't gonna let her off easily.

First, we had her stand in the middle of the room and started Ranen on his bongos, who drummed at a moderate pace. Her goal was to search the living room for a pretty piece of paper. As she moved away from the place the paper was hidden, the drumming rhythm slowed. And as she searched near the hiding spot, the rhythm quickened and we got excited.

Photo by Jemima Chong

She finally found it, but the challenge wasn't over yet. The birthday message was written in the Elven language that was formulated by J.R.R. Tolkien. I had emailed a dictionary to her, and she used it to translate the message. It was a success, and we all became a jolly mass of loud speakers. :P