In KL....

After many months now its here already, my entrance exam. Its on the 26 June 2009 in University Malaya. My agent told me that there is a briefing from 2 to 6pm in the agents office and I have to be there. Now as I'm here, the briefing just took me less than 20 minutes. It was a thing that i didn't expect. I should have come later i guess. I really am alone here in KL and don't know where to go. Tired of studying. Huh... I guess have to just wait and waste my time here....
Luckily I found a Cyber Cafe here..... Filing my time here then of to the university... the CC here is really bad.... smokers and the system is not updated at all... but luckily the internet is quite fast.....

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2009- JESUS MY HOPE

The first day started with many joy and gladness. At 7.30am, children already began to register themselves at the registration counters. The teachers gathered at the prayer room for their morning devotion, which was conducted by the pastor. At 8.00am, the praise and worship session began. Ms. Nancy Laurence, started with a few songs begin the day. Shortly after that, I was called in front to teach the Theme Song. I was really grateful to my God as he has given such a great talent. Me, with my guitar and 11 people whom I taught them the Theme Song beforehand (so that it would be easier for the children to learn the song) came in front to teach the new song for them. Not bad, the children were able to catch the song up very fast. The theme song lyrics are as such:-

Chorus

Yesuveh naan ummai nambuvein

Yesuveh naan ummai nesippen

Yesuveh naan ummil vaaluvein

Yenthan yesuveh nambuvein

Rap

Yesuveh naan ini nambuvein

Ini yentha kavalaiyum illaiyeh

Yesuveh naan ini nesippen

Avar ennai endrum nesippar

Yen yesu, Naan ini NAMBUVEIN!

After that it was the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was carried out outside the church. There was the balloon cutting ceremony. Aftermath, breakfast was served. Lessons began after breakfast. About 361 children attended VBS the first day (3 years-18 years). Lesson 1 and 2 was conducted on the first day. I had a great time going from class to class and helping the classes that were in need. After the lessons were carried out, it was time for department’s devotion. Rev. David Rasaphandy took charge on the primary children, Pas. Paul Mani the juniors and Rev. Steven Abbarow conducted the devotion for the intermediate and senior children. The session was carried out for about 1 hour and the lunch was given and the program ends for that day.

The second days program begins at 8.00am. This time the praise and worship session was carried out by Bro. Dennis Johnson. It has been quite a long time he had conducted praise and worship for the children in Sunday school. At first he really didn’t want to conduct praise and worship as he has lost touch for many years, but I insisted that he should conduct it. He really conducted well. I’m sure all the children would have enjoyed praising God especially through the song “I Love you Jesus”. He began calling all those who did not do the action to the front and this made everyone to do action for the song.

Then later on it was the photography session. This year all those who participated VBS gets a t-shirt. A big group photo was taken. There should be around 430 people in the photograph. As usual, breakfast was served after the photography session and then lessons begin as usual. Today there will be 2 lessons carried out. I was given a special responsibility on that day which is to go around each and every class and take the class attendance. I calculated and said that on that days total was 380, but the number does not tele with the actual account taken by each department heads which totals up to 382. But I was sure of my answer. I told the VBS coordinator that I am sure of my answer and I will go and take account again for the primary department as that department was the one which had shortage. Finally, my calculations were the right one.

After the 2 lessons was the departments devotion and then lunch was served. Another special thing for this years VBS was that the committee found some sponsors and managed to call up Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) to come to our church and conduct games for the children. The program was carried out at the church car park. Everyone enjoyed the games. After the program, I had to rush for tuition as I am a temporary teacher now; I cannot skip class a student does. I had to rush in the tiredness too….

Although I really felt so tired, but there is a satisfaction and joy in the tiredness too. The next day (final day) is where we had to wrap up many things. The final lesson was carried out. This lesson was about Salvation and the teachers were urged to pray for their children in order to bring them into Salvation during class hours. After that the devotion was carried out in church. This time all the children were called up to the church and the devotion was carried out by Rev. Herbert John (Perak District Superintendent). He is really a great pastor. He managed to capture the attention of all the children who were present there. He is really a cool pastor. The song “One Way” really made those who do not sing to sing, dance and praise God amazingly. Another special item was done on the last day. They ordered a large cake and made all the non Christians who came for the VBS to cut the cake. It was a really great acknowledgment for them. And pastors laid hands on them and prayed for each and every non- Christian who came on that day. It was really special for them as the were honored on that day. At last we sang the theme song and dismissed. It was really a wonderful 3 day experience that I got before leaving to Indonesia.

registration

teachers devotion...

Theme song team...

praise and worship....

opening ceremony.....

balloons....

group photo.....

KFC conducted the games....

junior devotion.....

intermediate and senior department devotion....

VBS Preparations....

This year VBS was a great blessing especially to me. Go really had worked greatly among this who served HIM during the VBS. The credit goes to everyone who had worked very hard to impart the knowledge that Jesus is their Hope during the three days VBS lessons.

Almost more than 2 months before the VBS began the committee was members were all called for a meeting. As I could remember he date when the meeting was held was on 2^nd April 2009 in the Church School room at 8.00pm. Since then , the committee had discussed, talked, and decided many things. I was specially put in charge of music. It is the first time in my life for me to become a committee member in any of my church activity.

As I was incharge of the music, I was thinking of whom to put in the schedule to play the instruments and the praise and worship leader. Suddenly I had a thought that why shouldn’t I write the theme song. That very night that I thought about it I wrote the song. I still can remember the day; it was on Maundy Thursday (9.04.2009) I was in Taiping. The song’s tune was taken from a Myanmar song. As in my previous post, I wrote that I went to Myanmar for the VBS there and I learnt their VBS theme song in their language and translated it to Tamil. At that point of time I realized that Wow! God has Blessed me with a new talent! Praise God!

After that, I was appointed to teach the Theme song to the teachers and children during VBS. I taught the teachers during the teachers training held 5 weeks beforehand. The teachers training was held usually on Sundays at 5pm to 6pm at the church school room. Bro. Dennis Johnson was given the responsibility to teach the teachers on the lessons that was prepared by his sister, Ms. Grace Marial. Before each teachers training session, there will be an half an hour praying session by the committee members. The teachers were also invited to join the committee to pray.

These were some of the early preparations on the lessons. The other preparations were all carried out by the committee members such as arrangements for food, transport (Gunung Rapat), tents, chairs, tables, stationery, invitations (other churches and homes) and many others.

So far I have just described you all about the preparations of the VBS. My next post is about the activities and programs of the 3 days.

Sucessfully recorded my 1st song.....

It had been a busy week for me. In fact it was also very exciting too. For the past 1 month, I ventured into a new armmmm hobby or talent I would say. I am now writing songs. Until today I have written 4 songs and 3 of them will be heard by people. The other song just came and I just wrote it. My very first song was for the Christian Education Committee in my church. At first, they asked me to look for a song on holiness, and I dint know how I got the song, I just began writing the lyrics and it ended up in four verse. The songs was based on how to be holy as this year my church is focusing on Holy Living and the theme for this year is Holy Living Changing Lives. So that one song came to life.
Then the second song is for the Vacation Bible School(VBS) that will be held next week from Monday to Wednesday (8th-10th June). It was the children's theme song. Actually the tune was taken from Myanmar. As in my previous posts, I went to Myanmar for a VBS program there, and they we took the same theme for this years VBS which is Jesus My Hope. The song was based on it and there is a short rap part in the song too....
Later on last month, my Sunday School teachers announced that we will be presenting a song on the 28th June and there will be a song practice. When I went back for Sunday School classes, I thought of a song and wrote it too. It was really amazing how I can write a song so fast. But I know that the Holy Spirit enabled me to write such songs.
And for God's glory, we recorded the song this Monday(1st June). The song came out so great although it was not of a professionals job, but we were all satisfied of it.
I would really like to thank all those who helped me to record the song.
Jonathan-Organist
Alex Seeni-Bassist
Jared-Leadist
Sambruce-Drum Machine
Joshua-Asst. Drum Machine
Steven, Patricia, Priscilla, Anusha and sister- Backup vocalist
They had scarified a lot for me to make this song a success. I really would like to thank God for using me in a new way. Praise God!

Last day of teaching.....

29th May 2009 was indeed another memorable day for me. That was the last day of teaching for me in SK Jati. As a teacher, I learnt a lot of things that there were many good and a little bad experience. But all went on fine. The last day came up even how to say it, sad or happy(for me-still cant classify it) for me. Some students even cried because I was leaving. I never thought that would ever happen. Some were speechless and were blank and were not sure what was going on. I received many gifts and many beautiful cards that were all from my students. All the gifts were really great.
In fact, the last day I was more like a rock star to my students. They came surrounding around me and asking me for my signature and my hand phone number and even my address. They were like as if thinking that I am an idol for them and they really couldn't stop thinking about me the whole day.
The many memories that I had given them is the word, 'wassup'. This was kind of a normal word for me but it was a special word for them. I just thought my first class students this word. The reason was that whenever they see me or walk pass me, they could knuckle touch on me and then say wassup. They immediately catched up the word and then started using it publicly. Anyway, I hope they all become successful when they grow up.
There are some pictures that might really enlighten my memories when I look at them, now for you guys to see too...

Teachers Day Celebration....

Every year, teachers day is celebrated on the 16th May. This year as I am a temporary teacher, I experienced a new experience by being celebrated as a teacher on teachers day. The school that I am teaching in, SK Jati, had its general school assembly on Monday at 7.30am. It was raining at that time so the assembly was carried out in the school canteen. As normal we heard a 'few words' by the Education Departments and from our Headmistress. Then they had some presentations and then it was prize giving ceremony. All the teachers were given a small gift by the school. As I am just a temporary teacher, I thought that my name would not be called, but to my own surprise, they called my name at last. The students were all clapping their hands for a long time for me and some of them even whistled and they were cheering like as if I was a movie start. All the teachers seated there were stunted. I was also amazed because I didn't expect I had so much of support among the students. Even my headmistress commended that, I was 'The Teacher of The Year'. Even more presents came in after the celebration. Students from my class and other classes to brought many gifts for me. Wow I had no place to even keep it on my table. It was merely full of gifts all around my table.

Not bad for a temporary teacher. As there is only 8 more days for me to be in this school I really happy but at the same time sad to leave the school because the students really enjoyed being with me when I was with them. Here are some pictures that will surely make me always remember the school.

We won the Debate!

Saturday and Sunday was the most busiest day of the week for me and tow of my friends. We joined our church debate competition. So we had to do preparation. My teammates were Derick Josob (1st speaker), Me (2nd speaker) and Alex Seeni (3rd speaker and rebuttal speech). We kind of did a last minute preparation for the first round which was on Friday and the debate was on Saturday. But by God's grace we managed to get through the first round. The topic given to us on the first day was, 'Is Holy Living a possibility in today's world?' We managed to gather our points from books and through many experience form the pastors sermon and other notes form cell group. Derick( 1st speaker) gave the main definition of the topic and he spoke about the importance of holy living. I spoke about how to live a holy life. Alex Seeni spoke about holy living is crucial to sustain us through temptation. We managed to get our points and stand clear that holy living is possible in today's world. The opposition team was lead by Aaron Dason (1st speaker and rebuttal speech), then Jashen David(2nd speaker) and Jared Joseph(3rd speaker).

The title was infact a title that favoured us because we as Christians can't deny the fact that we cant live a holy life because it is written in the Bible that in the book of Lev-11:45, For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. So we have to accept the fact too.

The opposition team to gave a good fight with us but they could not bring out points or fact that we biblical as the highest marks is allocated for points or facts that are quoted from the Bible. The as we have won the first round, we managed to proceed to the finals. We were about to face a team who were 3 times or age. Derick is 17, I'm 18 and Alex is 19 and our opponents were at their mid or late 50's. However, we made our mind clear that we are not going to just leave without a battle.

They gave us the title and both ours and their team were blurred. The title given was, 'Does culture and tradition influence our Holy Living?' We were again chosen to be the Government team. We had to say that traditions and culture do influence our holy living. It either can be good or bad influence.

Once again Derick was the 1st speaker, me 2nd and Alex 3rd speaker. We gathered together in my fathers tuition center at about 8pm. For about one and a half hour we could not move with or points as we were blurred and we did not know where, or how to begin. We managed to get through the definition and some points that we not so strong. Then I decided to call Rev. Raymond from Sungai Pelek ( he was the pastor in Nilai church as when I was studying in Nilai), to seek for some help. My teammates and I have to really thank him because without his help we surely wouldn't have won at all. As I put my phone is Loudspeaker mode, Alex began writ ting the points on the whiteboard and his points were all flowing out so easily. He suggested to us two books that would really help and that our pastor Rev. Laurence might have it too. Immediately, I called him and asked whether he had the books or not, then he said he had it and Alex and I rushed to his house to get the book from him.

It was already late that night, so we decided to take the books home and gather our points the next day. I was still blurred on how to break put our points although I had the book which helped a lot. The next morning, after I woke up and as I was on my way to church, many points came in to my thoughts just that instant. I suggested that we break our points as positive, negative and then summing up.

We managed to meet each other properly after church to clarify some matters such as the topic. The topic given to us was in English and Tamil because our opponents are going to speak in Tamil. They were terrified to face us as they saw us spoke in English that they couldn't understand much. Anyway we said that we might try to speak a little in Tamil as we go on. We gathered again at about 1 pm in my fathers tuition centre again to finalise our points. Derick will be giving the complete definition and the positive influence that culture and tradition has affected our holy living. I will be speaking on the negative influence that our culture and tradition has taught us and Alex summed up and gave a wonderful speech.

The opposition team had nothing much to speak and they didn't speak with much facts as they were speaking more emotionally. They misunderstood many concepts and analogies that we tried to bring up to them. But at the end of the debate, we were really terrified. Derick, Alex and I thought we lost as the judges seemed to support or speak more about that culture and traditions doesn't influence us at all.

At last the results was announced and we won the debate. It was a really HAPPY and JOYUS moment for us at that point of time. I really would like to take this oppurtunity to thank all those who had helped us to win this debate.
Firstly I would like to thatnk God for showing his wisdom for us and allowing us to speak our boldly. We always had a prayer session before we began our debate session and whenever we met. I am really sure that God was surely with us. Next, I would really like to thank my teammates, Derick Josob and Alex Seeni for really putting a lot of effort. Then, Rev. Raymond, who really oppened our eyes and put us right on track, Rev. Laurence who was kind enough to lend us the book althought it was kind of late at night, to my parents, relatives ( especially Clement and Evelyn for their continous support), and to all that who has helped us through this.

From left (Alex Seeni, Jonah Seeni (me) and Derick Josob).