Written by Jonique Chan, Toh Jern Ling, Danelle Tan, and Jodie Tan
Reflections from Ranen Chan, Toh Jern Ling, Eunice Tan, Danelle Tan, Jonique Chan, and Jodie Tan
Compiled and Edited by Charis Chen
"It was a beautiful morning as we sat on the jetty, listening to Coach Joseph share about how we should not conform to this world. As I listened, I thought about whether I was conforming to Christ or to the world. We need to be molded after Christ, the author and perfector of our faith, which means we will not fit into the mold of this world. There should be something about us which distinguishes us from the rest of the world. And the more I examined my own behaviour, the more I realized that I was far from being Christlike. I purposed to allow God to change my character and make me more like Christ, because having tried and failed many times, I realized I could not do it by my own strength. Of course, I have to make an effort as well, but it is still God Who enables me to live my life in a way that glorifies Him and allows others to see Christ through me.
As someone who loves the outdoors, I enjoyed spending time in Clearwater Sanctuary, and found it a great place for relaxation, fellowship, and reflection." - Ranen Chan
"Ecstatically, I ambled along the wooden rim of the deck. Guided by the currents of the lake, seaweed plants waved at me through near-translucent water. Here we were at Clearwater Sanctuary, where, you guessed it, the water was utterly and brilliantly clear! A getaway with family and friends and a pure, amazing oasis of nature-- it was just what I needed. During this retreat, unexpectedly, I spent a lot of alone time, just strolling along the lake and pouring out my thoughts to God. What really hit me was how important it was to have conversations with God, conversations about anything really! After Coach Joseph's sharing on true character, I went on a walk, asking God to help shape my character, that I will not depend on myself but on Him. This was one of the most memorable conversations I have ever had with God. This retreat was not only a time of amazing fellowship and commemorating great memories, but, for me, also a time of quiet peace and reflection." - Eunice Tan
DAY 1 - Jonique Chan
Members of Chapter Words ALIVE traveled in six cars heading to our much-awaited three days, two nights retreat. We met at Tanjong Tualang Tin Dredge No.5, the last tin dredge left in Malaysia. However, much to our disappointment, we were not able to visit the tin dredge due to a miscommunication with the tin dredge operator. The tin dredge was under major repair and refurbishment. To alleviate our disappointment, Coach Wai Hong played the role of our tour guide, sharing with us the history of tin mining and its significance in the socio-economical landscape of Malaysia. He also shared how the mineral enriched underground water in the Kinta Valley has made the area famous for its bean sprout (taugeh) and also the tiger prawns (tai tao har aka Big Head Prawn).
Photo by Alibaba
Talking about food, we all suddenly became hungry, and rushed to a restaurant where, amongst many other things, we had the famous big head prawns. The lunch was pretty good! We then crossed the street to a dessert shop, where we tried some interesting desserts like "Man Tau Long" (文头浪), a jelly type dessert with lime or coconut milk and also a very special herbal tea named "Pang Tai Woon" (崩大碗), literally translated as "chipped bowl".
'Man Tau Long' Photo from Wanderer Shed Blogspot
After our mouth watering lunch and yummy dessert, we headed to the Clearwater Sanctuary (at last). Everyone, especially the young speakers, was excited because the resort has an idyllic backdrop of several large, lily-fringed lakes (formerly tin mining pools), and many enormous rainforest trees. It gave us a peaceful, natural environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. After checking into our chalets and unpacking, all the kids rushed outside to explore and enjoy the greenery.
After an hour of relaxing, everyone settled down for a teaching session by Coach Joseph at the jetty. Coach Joseph started the session by asking for 7 speakers and coaches to volunteer. While the speakers were brought to a quiet corner, Coach Joseph briefed the coaches on the rules of the activity. The coaches had with them some money, and the speakers had to try to get the money from them. The formula to get the money was to ask 7 times PERSISTENTLY! Coach Joseph then linked this activity to the ICC formula, P3 + R3 = C3. To make it more exciting, we were separated into 3 groups, i.e. Character, Competency, and Community, where we had to create a skit about our group's topic. The Character group started first with a skit about multiple characters' stories depicting character in daily life. The Competency group followed, with a skit about how size is not all that matters, but competence and persistence are important. Finally, the Community group presented a skit on how ICC can make the world a better place. After the enthralling presentations, the coaches in our respective groups shared with us how important the 3 Cs are in our lives.
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| Photo by Chan Wai Hong |
After the session, all the kids went to the pool while the adults walked around. All too soon, it was time for dinner. This time, we decided to venture to a nearby neighborhood for the scrumptious local hawker food. Later at night, some of the parents went out for a walk while the speakers gathered in their groups and sang until it started to rain. It was an action-packed and fun day. Til' tomorrow peeps!
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| Photo by Jonique Chan |
The majestic sunset
DAY 2 PART 1 - Jern Ling
I am pretty sure we woke up to the quietness and the peacefulness of the scenery outside the balcony, but apparently, we woke up to our parents waking us up because, apparently, we only had twenty minutes to get ready and eat our breakfast. Either way, we woke up to the peacefulness and the calmness of the lake. While eating my breakfast, I spotted a head bobbing around the waters. a Monitor Lizard! I was reminded of how marvelous God's creation is, and also to not jump into the lake!
After having breakfast, we headed to the jetty for worship, led by Speakers Jern Yoong, Ranen, and me, and session 2, led by Coach Joseph.
Coach Joseph began the session by inviting a few speakers and coaches to come in front to allow us to observe how much the speaker (child) resembled their coach (parent). Coach Joseph then shared three principles from Matthew 5.
Matthew 5:5 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." That led us to our first principle, "I Cannot Achieve It." Now, this is not a demotivating principle. Coach Joseph went on to say that when Jesus became human, He lived a perfect life for us, He was a perfect sacrifice for us, and He has crafted a mold that we should follow. When we become Christians, we are immediately given the "New Mold" of Christ. Therefore, we cannot achieve the things of the world, thus needing to be the "new mold" for Christ in the secular world.
The second principle was "I Must not Accept it". Matthew 5:4 talks about how those who mourn will be blessed and comforted. We must not accept the persuasiveness of sin. We, as humans are capable of sin, but we, as Christians can also be humble. In this materialistic world, we should share the gospel in quiet confidence in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. We must not accept the persuasiveness of sin, but mourn for the sin that is.
The third and last principle was from Matthew 5:5 - "I need to Acknowledge it." Meekness is strength under control. Coach Joseph pointed out one particular fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. In this world, we have to be meek and gentle in spirit. Christ needs to be in us. We need to internalize Christ's character and sufferings in us. Jonathan Edward once said that a true convert will do the following:
1. Go through the acceptance of Christ
2. Be molded into the statues of Christ (meaning that I have to come to an end of myself)
3. Cry out to God a second time,
4. Allow the Holy Spirit to begin to take over,
5. Realize that I don't have to do more to be good (let the Holy Spirit produce the fruit of the Spirit)
6. Confess that, "God, it isn't about me, but it's about You."
7. Make the life of Jesus real to me.
Thank you, Coach Joseph for the timely sharing of these three principles!
DAY 2 PART 2- Danelle Tan
We participated in a treasure hunt
coordinated by Ranen and Eunice, who split the group up into 4 groups and gave
each of the teams a slip of paper- the clue. The first clue consisted of a
string of random alphabets (or so it seemed).
On the back of each clue was the location of the next clue. The first
clue said jetty, so we searched
around the area where we already were and spotted a paper under a door and a minion.
Finding that we ran to the next destination. The coaches made me run the
fastest since I was the youngest although I was the only student in the group.
Back and forth, picking papers off the floor, not really deciphering the code-
more like stuffing the paper into our pockets after reading the locations. Upon
finding the last paper with a lighter, we didn’t even light the paper up to
read “Home” but we won 2nd place anyway with Coach Joseph cradling
the bottle like a baby and declaring our team done. Coach Wai Hong was hilarious
though, although coming in last place in the hunt, he kept jumping around,
punching the air and saying things like ‘yes! We won last place!’ Now that’s
what I call the team sprit… XD
Exhausted and relieved at completing the
treasure hunt, (I’m sure that Ranen and Eunice enjoyed watching us run back and
forth and sweating out all the water that we had drank for the day), we
proceeded to take a quick bath. By the time the gals and the boys were done
with the shower, our stomachs were practically growling..
Hopping into coach Daniel’s car, we raced
off to a Chinese restaurant. The food took forever to be served. To pass the
time, our crazy bunch tried doing acrobatic acts with their tongues and
sticking their fingers into their mouths. Eating was a relief, although there was
so much food! Fried rice, mee hoon, vegetables, chicken- all very delicious. Makan over, we proceeded back to Clearwater
for another relaxing night. The children and teens walked over to the pier for
bonding time. We played burning bridges and Monopoly deal cards, while Jonique
and I did jumping jacks (as always.) I went up to the 2nd floor of
the pier and watched fireflies make their way through the night and attempted
some funny ballet moves and finally sneaked back quietly behind the party in
the dark when I realized people were walking back.
It was 2am then...
DAY 3- Jodie Tan
We started the third day of the retreat with our daily worship, led by Speaker Ranen. Then Coach Joseph gave us a talk about being united and introduced us to an activity where we all had to touch a single bottle as quickly as possible. During the first round, everyone just tried to grab the bottle but a few missed, and that took about 15 seconds. We wanted a sharper goal. Coach Victor provided us with a better solution. We all linked thumbs and pinkies to form a circle while he quickly swiped the bottle on our linked fingers and passed the bottle back to coach Joseph. It was amazing. From 15 seconds, we accomplished it in 2 seconds. This shows that when everyone works together, we will be able to achieve thing faster and better.
Next, Coach Joseph asked us to get into our groups and provided us with sets of cards with different pictures. We were asked to each pick 2 cards. He asked us to pick a single card and then relate it to one thing we had learnt from the retreat. Then he asked us to pick up the second card and relate it to what we thought about the future of ICC.
After we had finished that activity, Coach Joseph handed us a pack of sticky notes and coloured pens to write down suggestions on how to improve our ICC chapter. We each wrote our suggestions and stuck them on a large poster paper under different categories. Some of the suggestions included recruiting new members, more privileges for younger kids, more fun outings,and even better food. :D
We then compared our posters to see what we had in common and to read out our suggestions. Some of us decorated the posters too.
After the activity, we took some group photos and Coach Joseph handed out gifts to those who had been inducted into the Guild before we dispersed to pack as it was the last day. We had a final lunch together and headed home.
---- Some more reflections from our speakers ----
"During our ICC retreat in Clearwater Sanctuary, I experienced a whole lot of togetherness. I really enjoyed the late night talks for the speakers and the games that the girls played during the car rides. I really learned to work well with my friends, to appreciate them more. I have really learned what it means to be molded into Christ's image, no longer about me, but it's about God. I must have a meek spirit when sharing the gospel to this world, and to be a friend who loves at all times. I really enjoyed the food hunting and our time in Concubine Street and that's when I found my favourite dessert: Raindrop Cake! Yum! During the Treasure hunt, I learnt to use teamwork, logic, intelligence, and lots of stamina;), as well as to appreciate God's beautiful creation and friendships. I have enjoyed myself and got to know more about my 'girlfriends,' and am definitely anticipating the next retreat!" - Jern Ling
"I felt that the ICC retreat helped me to get to know certain people in ICC better. It was a good bonding time. It was also a good retreat to relax and flow with nature. I would definitely go back to Clearwater again."- Jodie Tan
"During this retreat, our eyes were definitely treated to an awesome view of the Clear Water Sanctuary near the lake for three days. We really had fun as a chapter, learning and growing our bonds to be stronger. There are two things which I took back from this retreat, very timely reminders to myself as a soon-to-be ASLC too. To be a leader, you have to make an effort to round up your people and set a good example for them to follow. A leader doesn't have to be outspoken or proud, but needs to have a humble attitude to learn. As what Coach Joseph said during one of his teachings, we must learn how to admit what we have done wrong and be humble. The second lesson I have learned is about mentoring. It is not easy to get everyone to share their struggles and goals at the same time to a group. During this time, I've gotten the opportunity to know at least two of my fellow student leaders better. This is where I came out with the Bottle Flip sharing.This comprises of flipping a bottle; failing to do so calls for sharing, comment or thoughts about life or your personal views. Overall, the entire trip was a great experience for me to also relax and take a step back to see God's mighty creation. God bless." - Jern Yoong
"How excited I was to arrive at this new, thrilling place! What with the swimming pool, badminton court, gym and all, I was so looking forward to exploring this fantasy kingdom! Best of all, I thought to myself of the numerous possibilities that I had, to further bond with the ICC gang (adults inclusive.) Man, did I have a pretty cool time hanging out with the gals and boys at the gym and mostly the pier. Sadly though, I didn't get to improve my extremely lousy badminton as there wasn't enough time, even though the famous badminton player JY agreed to be my coach. Longer days would have been amazing, but :) STILL... The talks by coach Joseph were really cool and inspiring (I wonder how his journey to becoming such a good speaker was!) and I enjoyed all the mini activities that he included between his speeches." - Danelle Tan
"The retreat at Clearwater Sanctuary was filled with fun. I really enjoyed the food and spending time with my friends. Because of how enormous Clearwater Sanctuary was, it awoke my adventurous spirit. Sadly, warnings from my dad stopped me from running all over the place. Although I didn't get to explore the whole place, I had a really great time getting to know the ICC peeps more. I can't wait to go there again!" - Jonique Chan
