Journies, Squabbles and How America Got Her Name

Written by Ian Chan
Edited by Ranen Chan and Charis Chen
All photos by Ranen
Greetings!

We are almost through with our Chapter year! What an exciting year!
Our Chapter Meeting started with an interesting story from our Assistant Chair, Charis.

Next, we were led by Speaker Jern Ling for the Salesman Squabble icebreaker. Who knew so many of us were so good at squabbling? Everyone was given two slips of paper with an occupation written on one piece and an item on the other. The main goal is to sell that item on the paper to another person of the occupation noted on his/her slip of paper.

After the very noisy icebreaker, Speaker Eunice led the devotion on friendship. She shared about true friendship and how friends should show more care and concern for each other. After her sharing, she asked two questions:

1. How can you show care to your friends?

2. What can you change to show your care towards your friends?

As both our Chapter Sponsor and the Assistant Sponsor were not available, my dad shared. He started with a joke on how America got her name. Christopher Columbus took great delight in Chinese Cuisine, so he employed a Cantonese Cook. After months of sailing, the crew finally caught sight of land. When they did, they jumped for joy and shouted with renewed energy. During the great commotion on deck, the cook was preparing the evening meal. He was extremely puzzled to hear such a racket up above, so he ran up and asked the Captain "Ah! Me Lei Gah?" which means, "What is it?" in Cantonese. To this, the beaming Captain replied, "Ah! Me Lei Gah! America!" After the laughter, he shared with us 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." The ICC training teaches us to articulate our faith and answering those who ask with gentleness and respect. ICC's Mission is "Ready For Influence." When we are able to give the right answer, we impact and influence those around us. We are blessed with the opportunity to sharpen our communication skills and use it for God's glory.

After the sharing, Speaker Jern Ling did her Speech #10, the last speech! Congratulations! I can see her growth as a speaker.

Next up, we had Speaker Jodie present her Limited Preparation. Jodie spoke with confidence. Great job Jodie!

Then Speaker Danelle presented her Interpretive from an amusing poem titled A Very Long Poem by Colleen Hooper. Great confidence and articulation, Danelle! Keep it up!

After the speeches, we had our long awaited dinnertime.

After filling ourselves up, we listened to Carlson and Lafayette present their speeches with great interest. Both of them have great potential! 

Our meeting ended after discussing the Chapter retreat. 

"See" ya next time! :D 

Ordinary, Yet Not So...

Hello everyone, and welcome back to our ICC Words A.L.I.V.E. chapter meeting!!!

We are excited to have our meeting because besides practicing for our speeches, we knew that we would be meeting our mentor (wise guide), Eliza, who has come back from her first year university summer break! We were so happy!

Image by ugamiracle

Our Assistant Chapter Chair, speaker Charis started us off by sharing that a carpenter only cuts once, though he measures twice; thus we must prepare our speeches twice as hard, so that we can give our very best! 

Photo by Ranen Chan

Before the icebreaker, Eliza was invited to share with us about her experience as a freshman in the University of Asbury. She said that she has definitely grown spiritually. She had learned to rely on God and had developed a personal schedule for time with God as well as others. She had also gone on a missions trip to Florida where a group of them gave out free pancakes and Van rides to spring breakers. They used this to build bridges with the community with the goal of sharing the Gospel with them! It was an eye-opening experience for her. 

Photo by Ranen Chan

Thank you for your inspiring sharing, Eliza!

Speaker Jodie took the stage and led us into a time of icebreaker called 'Copy-cat'. It was a game that involved breaking into two groups with a nominated leader, who had to think of eight actions for others to "mirror" after him or her in sync, and gradually pick up speed.

Finally after practising, we had a dance battle between group 1 and group 2!

Photo by Ranen Chan

Being the leader for group one, I led the group into hand motions and arm exercises!

Group two was led by Danelle, and she and the rest of her group launched into a series of ballet and karate steps: ballerina turns, kicks, punches, and many more complicated but interesting moves!

    Photo by Coach Choong Ming

After the icebreaker, Speaker Ian conducted the devotion where he spoke about how we as humans, loved to judge others based on their appearances and made conclusions about how they were. But judging will hinder us from peacemaking. We are in no position to judge, as only God, who is perfect, has the authority to judge us. Ian reminded us that as peacemakers, we are to strengthen the community, and he left us with questions to ask ourselves that will help us know when we are judging others. 

Photo by Ranen Chan

Coach Choong Ming took over for the 'Word from Sponsor'. He started off by asking us if we have been in a WhatsApp group which we didn't want to be in. All hands were raised! He shared with us about an experience where he was in a WhatsApp group that he didn't want to be in. He complained about this group to his other friends. However guilt crept in, because he had promised the other group that he would help them in any way. Hence, he quickly apologized to the group of friends and stopped the complaints. 

 Photo by Ranen Chan

As speakers, other people would look at us not only when we are on stage, but off stage as well. We must not be hypocrites by saying one thing and doing other. We can influence other people in a positive, or negative way. Hence, we should watch our behaviour both on and off the platform

Thank you, Coach Choong Ming for that timely message!

After that, we jumped right into speech practices.

The first speaker was Speaker Ian, with his very enlightening Thematic Religious Reading on "Courage." Awesome work, Ian!

Photo by Ranen Chan

Next up was a persuasive speech given by the very sweet and energetic speaker, Jonique, entitled "Giving." Wow! After listening, it made me want to give more cheerfully, because God loves a cheerful giver! Great job, Jonique!!!

Photo by Ranen Chan

Then, came Limited Prep which was aced by speakers Danelle and Jodie. Both did great! 

   Photos by Ranen Chan

                
Our budding YCC speakers, Carlson and Lafayette then presented their platform speeches with much enthusiasm and boldness. 

Carlson's Informative Speech on Water

Photos by Ranen Chan

Lafayette's Informative Speech on Fruits and Vegetables

Photos by Ranen Chan

What a perfect time to talk about water and edible solids, because after their speeches, it was time for dinner!

 Photo by Quickmeme

After dinner, we continued with more speech practices.

Speaker Jodie was first with her very captivating interpretation of "Androcles and the Lion."

Photo by Ranen Chan

This was followed by Speaker Danelle with an interpretation of John 20.  We were impressed that the reading of Scripture can be so narrative. Great job!

Eunice presented her thought-provoking Thematic Religious Reading on "Identity." 

Photo by Ranen Chan

Last but not least, we had Ranen with his Cultural Storytelling, "Boxed-in Bibik."

Photo by Charis Chen

And that was a wrap for our Words A.L.I.V.E. chapter meeting! Although it was just an ordinary chapter meeting, there was always something that we had learned and taken back for our everyday lives. 

                                                                  

Photo by besty

 Adios!