Words A.L.I.V.E. (ICC Chapter Malaysia): First meetings

Showing posts with label First meetings. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Changes, Changes, and More Changes

Written by Jonique Chan

Edited by Charis Chen and Ranen Chan

Photo by Ranen Chan

Greetings!!!

Welcome to our FIRST ICC chapter meeting of the year!!! We started off with an icebreaker led by Speaker Jern Yoong called The Money Game. In this game, the speakers each had a value of RM 5, while the coaches were worth RM 10. Speaker Jern Yoong would shout out a sum of money, and we had to form groups that equaled that amount. Through this game we didn't learn about money, but rather, about teamwork and community.

Next, Coach Joseph reminded us that memories are very precious, so we watched a short video bringing back memories from our journeys through YCC/BPS and YSG. This awesome video was brought to us from our Media Coordinators, Speakers Charis and Ranen. Great job guys!!

Photo by Ranen Chan

After laughing and reminiscing, we were separated into two groups where we discussed what we can improve on and change in the chapter this year.

Photo by Ranen Chan

Things to improve:

Faster updates on recent happenings and decisions made

More activities

A buddy program for speakers

More time for everyone to present their speeches in chapter

Photo by Ranen Chan

Then we had a BIG change. What was it? Well, we now have a new Assistant Chapter Sponsor!!! Please welcome (drumroll)... Coach Choong Ming, along with his wife, Coach Honey!!!

Photos by Ranen Chan

Coach Choong Ming explained the new changes we would be implementing for Words ALIVE, such as having assigned Coaches and Speakers to give feedback, so that we will be able to maximise practice time.

Photo by Ranen Chan

Next, Speaker Charis presented her speech about dating. She shared with us the pros and cons of dating, as well as the Golden Rule in dating.

After Charis' speech, Speaker Jern Yoong talked to us about procrastination. Did you know that there was a good side to procrastinating? Bet you didn't!

Speaker Jern Ling then presented a speech about colors. She told us about what colors mean, etc. Great work!!

After Speaker Jern Ling's colorful speech, Eunice shared with us on the topic of Feminine or Feminist, Speaker Ranen talked about abortion, and last but not least, Ian presented his speech about genetic engineering.

Attentive audiences :)

Photos by Ranen Chan

Good job, Speakers!!!

Photo by Ranen Chan

Til' we meet again!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Time is Life

Written by Ian Chan

Edited by Ranen Chan and Charis Chen

All photos by Coach Daniel unless otherwise stated

"Blessed New Year!" That's a greeting one will definitely hear during the first few days of a new year, as people celebrate the transition into the year.

On the 2nd of January 2017, our chapter started the New Year with a meaningful and fun-filled gathering. We had our first gathering of the year at the Putrajaya Wetlands Park, and started off with breakfast, preparing ourselves for the program at the observation tower.

Nom Nom Nom!

I really thank God for His hand in the weather. When we arrived, the weather was unwelcoming and dull, and to make things worse, it was drizzling. Later, however, the weather changed pleasantly, and we were able to have our fellowship in the warm sunshine.

Before we started our program, we celebrated Speaker Charis' birthday with a birthday surprise.

Next, we praised God for the day with the song, This Is the Day, led by Speaker Eunice.

This is the day that the LORD has made!

After singing, we were led by Speaker Charis for the icebreaker, called Zoo. A group of people stand in a circle, facing the center. Everyone would choose an animal, which they would represent by a hand gesture. For example, they could put their arm up by their nose to represent an elephant, or they can flap their arms like a bird. Each player had to have a different animal. During the game, each player would first do his/her animal action, then the action of another person in the circle. The person whose hand sign was done by the last player had to then repeat the procedure by first doing his/her hand sign, then the hand sign of another player. We certainly enjoyed this fun and animated icebreaker.

Our Chapter Sponsor, Coach Joseph, shared with us about time. He asked us to discuss our feelings during the transition into the New Year. Some said they did not realize that it was already the new year; others had goals to achieve. After the discussion, we were asked to define the word ‘time’. What is your definition of time? Coach Joseph stated that time is life. He continued sharing that when one wastes his time, he wastes his life. Before we do something, we need to ask whether it is worth spending our life on it.

Next, we adjourned to the field, where we had more games. The first activity was called Cat and Tails, which reminded me of Running Man. In this game, everyone has a "tail" (raffia string) taped to their backs. The main goal of this game is to snatch other players’ tails while guarding your tail. After the game, we were divided into three groups for our second activity, called Team Building.

First, we had to create a team name and a cheer. The first team was called Awesome Fire! We definitely felt some heat because of their team name-- or was it the sun?

The second team was called Typhoon! Typhoon alert, take safety precaution!

Last but not least, we had the third team called No Mess. (Yeah, ’ah ain’t messin’ around with ya’ll. :D) After all the group cheers, each team had to creatively use their bodies to first make a garden, and then the KLCC Twin Towers. Lastly, we combined all three groups to form a human pyramid.

Team 1: Awesome Fire!

Team 2: Typhoon!

Team 3: No Mess!

Photo by Toh Jern Ling

We then headed back to the observation tower for our last activity, the Mannequin Challenge.

The mannequin challenge was a success! We only had to film it twice. Click the video below to watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEdUzsI293A&feature=youtu.be

After the last activity, we sat down together for a closing. Coach Joseph shared about a Chinese reality TV show which interviews two people simultaneously, but with a partition in between the interviewees. In one episode, they interviewed two people: a father and son who had a broken relationship with each other. The son was a successful fashion designer, but his father did not support his son's career choice. The son talked about his success as a designer, but it was evident his father was displeased. When asked if he wanted the partition to be removed, the son yelled, "Dad, nothing I do ever pleases you!" and stormed off. Coach Joseph then said that unlike that young man, we are accepted by our Heavenly Father, just as God the Father said at Jesus’ baptism, "This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." God loves us, whether or not others love us.

After the sharing, the Correspondent team, as well as several helpers, shared their self-evaluation of the event. I thanked everyone for being cooperative, and aimed to do better next time by beginning to plan earlier. Speaker Jern Ling shared that she was pleased with the smooth flow of the program, and that she had now learned more about planning an event.

I would like to thank my father for helping to find the venue and all the Coaches and SLs for making this event possible. Last but not least, I would like to thank all the Chapter members for their presence.

Thank you and I hope you enjoyed the blog!

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR, NOT???

Written by Charis Chen
Edited by Nathanael Chong

3 January 2016

Welcome to the very first WORDS A.L.I.V.E. ICC meeting of 2016!

We began the meeting with a little icebreaker. We were to wish each other a happy new year!
Oh, wait. I forgot. The RULES!
1. You are not allowed to use the word "happy" or "blessed".
2. You must wish everyone your version of "Happy New Year!"
3. You must be happy!

Photo by Charis Chen

Some very interesting greetings were heard! There was "Gong Xi New Year", "Merry New Year", "Fruitful New Year", and "Selamat New Year", amongst many others.

Next, we had a thought-provoking teaching session by our chapter sponsor, Coach Joseph. He began by asking us to form small groups to brainstorm ways to get him to LIKE durian. :D
(He does NOT like durian!)

Photo by Charis Chen

There was a lot of laughter! Some suggested diffusing durian essential oils. Others proposed feeding him nothing but durian for a month. Still others cheekily put forth the idea of not allowing him to see his wife until he enjoyed eating durian! Oh dear!!!

Photo by Charis Chen

Coach Joseph then spoke to us on setting goals, and how our goals are affected by our hunger, our hunger by our appetite, and the conditioning of our appetites. How focused or distracted we are also influences how we condition our appetites.

This led to a discussion about the Holy Spirit's convicting us. After listening to several opinions and Scripture verses, we concluded that the Holy Spirit convicts us, but it is up to us to condition our appetites. The convictions of the Holy Spirit are like seeds, and our hearts are like different types of soil. The type of soil depends on how attuned we are to God's Word, and how sensitive and obedient we are to His promptings.

Some of the Bible verses quoted were as follows:

-Jeremiah 29:13
"You will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all you heart."

- Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

- James 3:8
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."