Can Gua...

Time flies and abounds indeed with blessings from the Lord. The dawn of 10 April 2008 has brought to light yet another eventful and memorable point for CA, being, after all, the second last gathering of the semester. Due to a number of tests next week, CA had been brought forward to accommodate the majority. So gathered we for another fantastic evening of praise and worship in NLRC’s Youth Centre, sizzling with excitement and aflame for Christ. The atmosphere was jolly as usual, amidst much chatter and fellowshipping before CA began.

before CA began...

The theme for CA this time around was catchy indeed, namely “Can Gua…”. The attendance was fairly encouraging, a group of some 50 young people having gathered to worship and extol His name. At around 7.45 pm, our emcees Patricia and Timothy started the meeting on a light note with some jokes and casual interactions, before welcoming the newcomers and consequently summoning Andersen to lead the prayers.

Why she looks so excited?

Let move on...

Next came the ice-breaking session, led by Christine. We were asked to find a partner to play what seemed to be perhaps a grossly modified version of the age-old classical “rock-paper-scissors” game, this time using facial expressions and actions instead of hand signals. For instance, to represent the choice of paper, we would have to stick out our tongues ~ hilarious as it may seem!

demonstration

The idea was to separate us into two groups, namely the winners and the losers for the next round of games which, being more challenging, came as quite a pleasant surprise. Apparently, the winners had to play the role of “traps” and the losers, “mice”, in what was aptly named a “mouse and trap” game. The “mice”, scattered around a circle formed by the “traps” whose hands are jointed and uplifted, would have to move in and out of the circle until the game master exclaims “Mousetrap!”, when the “traps” shall attempt to trap any “mice” inside the circle. Hence began the game amidst much cheering and shrieking upon trapping of “mice” by the “traps”, both parties being unrelenting in their quests. Whilst the trapped “mice” would go all out in escaping whether it be by means of disconnecting jointed hands or even hopping over the barrier, so would the “traps” endeavour to surround the trapped “mice”. The “mice” outside the circle would survive into the next rounds of elimination until there was left only four. The fun does not end here, though, the “mice” having been granted an opportunity to seek vengeance by trading roles with the “traps”. Suffice to say has the game summoned an air of cordiality and excitement about the gathering; everyone had immensely enjoyed the game and fellowship.

mouse trap!!!

The master and the losers...

The worship soon after was started off on an upbeat note with the song “My Best Friend”, led by Dian Han with a full-power band made up of back-up singers Mary Chen and Wei Xin, and musicians Andersen, Bryan, Chewie and Grace. The congregation also sang several other songs including “Touching Heaven and Changing Earth”, “Open The Eyes Of My Heart”, “For Who You Are”, and “From The Inside Out”. Brimming with vigour were the young people, praising the name of the Lord. Indeed had His divine presence dwelled amongst us then, touching the hearts of many. Dian Han then led us into a quiet time of prayer, before the offerings.

The word that followed shortly was given by Pastor Joshua Lee of NLRC Kota Kemuning. An inspiring speaker, he had preached on “a life of no compromise”, drawing on myriad down-to-earth illustrations peppered with good-witted humour that made the message an interesting one. We were taken on a journey of discovery on issues relevant and close to the teenager’s heart, had our preconceived notions challenged, and above all, were reminded of God’s faithfulness in helping us fight sin, given that, of course, we first take the initiative to resist evil in the first place. As Christians, we should live a life of no compromise, pleasing and acceptable to the Lord, and of course, avoiding sin. For we are frail, attempts at overcoming temptations by virtue of our own strength and willpower alone will inevitably prove futile; hence, we should turn to God for His empowerment and help when faced with temptations. We need as such to only take the first step in battling sin by praying for divine intervention, trusting in his faithfulness and resting in the assurance that God will do the rest. Pastor Joshua had also shed light on the popular misconception regarding holiness, that, by God’s grace, all of us have in fact been made holy by the blood of Jesus Christ shed upon the cross. Praise be to the Lord for his unfailing grace and mercy!

Pastor Joshua

Worship then resumed with the song “From The Inside Out”, during which we were also asked to join with the person next to us in prayer. After that, the emcees then took over, cracking a joke or two and livening up the atmosphere again, before passing over the time to the worship team for the closing song, “My Best Friend”. Hence ended CA on perhaps as equally buoyant a note as it had started, spirits high and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.
Before ending the meeting, Yen Mii had made several announcements, including that this would be the second last CA of the semester, much to the surprise of many. The next CA will be held on 1 May, and will be testimony day open for those who would like to share about how God has worked in their lives, and thus bear testimony to His love and grace. Refreshments this time around, prepared by Pei Ling, was served at the Youth Centre. After a brief period of fellowship, we then returned to our hostels at around 10.30 p.m. Thank God for His journey mercy that brought us safely back home in time.

T’was indeed a magnificent evening, meaningful and purposeful, directed to the Lord, of glory all given back to Him. By God’s grace, everything had worked out fine as planned without any snags. May the seeds be sown in the hearts of all who attended the CA, that His glory be magnified, eventually.

In His service,
Kenlee