jaslyn elizabeth dewitt: MY EXPERIENCE in ER 2013

After 3 hours of writing, I thank the Lord for inspiring me and giving me His strength to write about my experience in ER.

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, 6^th 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.