2013 have been a great year so far because God is working through my life and walking with me. For the past few years, when ER is promoted in Penang, I never thought in a million years that I would be one of them who will be attending an ER. It all started when I was asked to go to Kuching as Kingdom Dancer to conduct a workshop for the youth over there, to prepare them for ER 2013. It was such a great privilege for me to be there and no doubt, the last 2 trips there was amazing. There were a lot of wonderful people there and delicious food but despite of the physical, I get to experience Jesus in a whole new level and in a way where I confidently know that I am walking on the right path with Him.
Time passed really slowly when you are
looking forward to something and ER 2013 has been running through my mind ever
since March and finally, with my head and heart knowing the steps to the entire
dance that we are pray-forming, I am able to pack my bags, walk into the
airport once again, and stepping on Kuching’s ground at 11.40 pm together with
Sharon and Melessa. Thank you Audrey and her little sister for picking us from
the airport and also taking us for supper before sending us to our hotel. We
stayed at Telang Usan for 6 days and my roommates are Melessa, Adele and Becky.
During my stay with a whole bunch of youth from Penang, I had a lot of fun with
them, getting to know them better in a sense that we won’t just greet each
other with “hi” and “bye” but with a conversation in between the next time we
meet in Penang.
Time is precious to us especially the
dancers and there is no more time to waste. While the worship team get to rest
the following day, we dancers have to go for a 2 hour practise together with
the Empowered Dance team. It is our first and last time practising with each other
and Praise God, it all went well. By then, my heart was filled with excitement already
and looking forward for the real day to arrive. It is my first time
collaborating with dancers across the sea and to see this happening for real, I
still feel like this is a dream. More so when I see the amphitheatre for the
first time in the evening when we have our rehearsal. It’s a huge, open-air place
which can fit 10, 000 people. What I felt when I first see the place was indescribable,
not too sure whether to feel excited because I will be spreading His good-news
to a few thousand people or to feel nervous because I will be dancing in
something so big and public, together with approximately 25 dancers.
Thursday, 6th of June 2013 marks
the first day of ER2013. 700 participants from around Peninsular Malaysia,
Sabah, Sarawak and not to forget Brunei were there. This Rally is divided into a few conferences,
starting with Kids, Youth, Worship and Young Adults. Kingdom Dancers is invited
to conduct a session for the Kids for 2 days and for a girl who loves children,
I enjoy every moment of it. We teach them action songs, play games with them,
did crafting and end with a short worship. I did not have the privilege to
attend gatherings like this when I was a little girl, and to see kids from age
3 to 11 years old attending this workshop, I felt very happy for them. They do
not know why they are there nor do not know why they feel like dancing, or
opening their hands or singing with their hearts while worshiping, but what
amuse me was despite of them not knowing that they are doing, they did it. It
touches my heart. Tears flows down my checks because I strongly know that God
has a wonderful plan for them not in the future, but starting from now.
After the kid’s conference, we are allowed
to pick which sessions we would like to attend and all the sessions that I attended
are a memorable one. Each speaker was just filled with the Holy Spirit and it truly
indeed touches a lot of the participant’s heart. No doubt, I have learned a lot
throughout the 4 days, not only as a youth but also as a worshipper and a young
adult. The speakers are truly God-gifted speakers, each with different
personalities and different way of thinking but with one goal which is to
spread the good news of God. Our first day ended with a Eucharistic Celebration
and the Opening Ceremony which I have been waiting for. To be honest, when I
was dancing, there are steps which I have forgotten but God is so good and
because the place is filled with His presence, I know it’s not me who is
dancing but the Holy Spirit moving my body to dance. All I got to do is just
enjoy myself on stage and give my best smile. Hehe. We are all dancing in the
river of God at that time.
Day 2 was somewhat like a day rest for
Kingdom Dancers. It started with mass followed by Praise and Worship then to
our desired sessions. Every day we had a few hours “free and easy” in the
evening before something big happened. Most of us went back to the hotel and
just chill in and get some rest before we head back to the centre. I believe
that God has planned this to happen because what happen that night was unbelievable.
It will be such a turn off and also a waste if anybody were to sleep during
that time but whatever it is, no matter how tired we are, nobody will ever feel
tired on that night. The original plan was supposed to be just Worship. I guess
it’s undeniable that God work things mysteriously and love to surprise His
children. It turned out to be one holy, beautiful, magnificent, pleasing (every
word that can be used) night. Healing takes place that night and Jesus was definitely
there. We went through adoration, the
most Holy Sacrament on the alter. As for me, I did not feel anything but His undying
Love for me. All I want to do was stare at Him, adore Him in all the possible
ways I could and never let go of my sight of Him. Everybody went back home with
a smile on our face knowing that there is hope in our life and when the world
walk against us, The Lord walks with us. It’s a promise.
Saturday comes, a busy day for us but it was
indeed another memorable day. It was the day of the concert where people from
all over Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Brunei and not to forget Sarawak itself
pray-formed. It was held at the Panggung Udara (Amphitheatre ). It was raining
and still 4000 people came and watch. All of us dance, sing, and worship under
the rain. For us who have make up and are already in our dance attire, we still
went out, under the rain to join the people. What is more worth it that to
Praise and Worship the Lord together with our brother and sisters in Christ.
What is in my mind now is how happy a father can be to see His children
dancing, and singing with all of our hearts and energy for Him despite of the
rain, not caring whether or not they will fall sick the next day. Its crazily wonderful
isn’t it to also know that our energy we had on that very moment is not ours
but our Father who constantly filling us with His spirit of joy, excitement,
strength, happiness and all the other
positive feelings one can think of. Did any lives changed? I truly believe
there is. Kingdom Dancers pray-formed “God-speaking” and Praise the Lord that
it touches people’s heart in many different ways. When I was up there, my mind
went blank and still be able to dance, the expressions I portray are undefined.
Floor was wet due to the rain, and He holds us until the very end.
On the last and final day, there were only
2 sessions until the afternoon. Our last session was supposed to be by Jude
Antoine but I guess God choose to take over that session. It was the time where
the Holy Spirit just took over for that approximately 2 hours. The entire hall
was just filled with His presence and people were just receiving and resting in
the spirit. Adoration then took place followed by mass together with the
parents. After mass, there was a closing ceremony whereby states were called
out and they pray for their own state. It was a magnificent way to close ER
2013.
The verse for ER 2013 is in Luke 7:14 which
say “Young man, I say to you, “RISE UP!” “. This time, it’s not us who was
called to rise up but the whole nation itself. This is not the end but a new
beginning for Malaysia to RISE UP and each and every one of us went home with
deep conviction and great responsibility to call upon their own state/country
to RISE UP because its time. It’s not something to that we can play because it
involves our nations.
It is my
greatest joy to be there as Kingdom Dancers and also as one of the participant.
I went there with one simple reason but came home with a bigger, greater and
better reason. Until now, my heart is still pumping from all that has happened
throughout the 6 days. It did not seem like 6 days but just one very long day.
I wish it will never stop. It’s like a dream come through. One thing that
differs us and other people in the entire world is that when we dance, we dance
Jesus. When we sing, we sing Jesus. When we play an instrument, we play Jesus
and when we worship, we worship ONLY Jesus.
In between all of that, many events had
happened as well. Good and bad. The Kuching-nite deserves every bit of love
because in spite of their workload and tiredness, they still make time for us,
taking us out for supper and also constantly providing transport for us. I am
thankful for their great hospitality from the very day we step onto Kuching’s
ground till the very moment we step into the airport again. Our leaders from
Penang who make this trip go smoothly, firstly to David Chan for taking care of
our registrations, room and flight details. For Carmel, the leader of SWYF for
saying Yes and allowing Kingdom Dancers to participate in this memorable event
and also waking us up when we are sleeping spiritually, Andre Ong for preparing
us all for this and lastly, Sharon, the leader of Kingdom Dancers for being so
patient with us, constantly giving us another chance when we do something
wrong, and also putting up with all of our crazy and “unwanted” acts and behaviour
as Kingdom Dancers.
I
have to admit that in certain times during ER, I forget my role and words that
came out from my mouth are something which should not be said. There was still
some pride in me that I don’t even know of but I am thankful and grateful for
these people who is willing to tell me to my face my mistakes because I rather
them telling me than continuously being that way which can hurt people and give
a bad impression to my ministry and parish. I am saying this in public because
I do not want to hide in the dark but I want to confess in the light and with
the help of the Holy Spirit, I am able to confess my sins, change and grow.
God deserves
all the Glory and this is my testimony: He is there with me hand in hand from
the very beginning where I was called to conduct a workshop in Kuching together
with some Kingdom Dancers. He provided my sister and I enough amount of money
in ways which I did not expected. He never fails to surprise me in things that
I have experience when I was dancing. He allows me to grow in many different
ways especially in a way I think. He gives me patients when I need to learn a
lesson. He reminds me about humanity and humbleness in times where I lift my
head up. He gives me a forgiving heart when I need to forgive someone immediately.
He constantly fills me with His strength and grace every time my brain shuts
down and not to forget, He shows me that there are still many wonderful,
beautiful and trustworthy people in this world. I thank the Lord for his abundance
blessings during this trip. It is certainly a memorable one. Again, this is not
the end but a beginning for something more. As part of Kingdom Dancers, I
believe there is more to come for us together with the Empowered team. As a
Malaysian, I believe that something great will happen in my country. “MALAYSIA,
I SAY TO YOU, “RISE UP!””
EMPOWERED and KINGDOM DANCERS for the Opening Ceremony
KINGDOM DANCERS
ALL THE WAY FROM PENANG!
POSING FOR THE CAMERA
ER OPEN NIGHT CONCERT
YOURS TRULLY
SERVANTS, MUSICIANS ALL AROUND, and GUEST MINISTERS
ONCE AGAIN!
