The One After The Other

Parents' Appreciation Day has come and gone. My thanks & congratulations to all TOUCH members who were involved that day. The ushers, the food, kitchen staff, performances, speeches, games - you were all exceptional in your work. I'm proud of each and everyone of you. I also want to thank the parents for their participation & patience throughout the event. I'm especially glad to have had the opportunity to address the youths & parents together. And of course, my deepest appreciation goes to our TOUCH Core leaders, especially Jacklyn Kang.

Will recap on PAD 09 as soon as we have the video & photos ready. But now, we can finally look forward towards...

Daddy oh Daddy

Very privileged to have written this song with along this group - Joseph, Esther, Anna, Jacklyn, Chi Wing & Lynn Yen. All of them wrote their own parts & thus made the song extremely unique. Not forgetting also May & Ken Chung for helping to compose the initial format, chorus & melody.

I think this song will be remembered for many years to come.

A Return Behind The Mic Stand

On Mothers' Day last month, I had the privilege to songlead in Lemuel's church (I guess we'll have to refer to him as Pastor Lemuel now). My mom was invited to preach that Sunday, & initially I was charged to be her driver. But then something came up & somehow I was invited to songlead. The church was also short of musicians that day, so I immediately seized the opportunity to ask my favourite keyboardist, Ken Chung, to come along. It was great to receive an immediate positive response from him.

You see, almost 10 months ago, Ken Chung & I (and also May) made the decision to step down from the music ministry. It wasn't an easy choice - we love playing good music, we knew our calling as musicians, & our band has come a long way. But this was a decision we knew we had to make, & having a friend along made it much simplier. So with the opportunity to return behind the mic stand, I was very pleased to have Ken Chung as a band member again.

We had to practise on Sunday morning itself. Had Jason & Joshua to provide the bass & the drums, while Lemuel played the electric guitar. Yet, in spite of the rush & playing with strangers, both Ken Chung & I felt at ease - it was almost like we never left. I believe that's the anointing of God upon us, confirming & assuring us of our calling once again, and telling us the season to return to the music ministry is near. For that, I am grateful.

The Joy of Youth Ministry

I was just thinking about how awesome it is to be a youth worker in a local church now. Especially now - in this time of age where youths are despised & generalized negatively (yes even in the church) - it feels awesome to be the few who understands enough to stand by them through this crazy stage of their lives. It's such a great honour, joy, privilege, and responsibility!! Too many people choose to dwell on the little things that supports their childish, unfounded prejudices. With that they miss out on amazing things that God will do in & through this generation, and for that I pity them.

To the people of TOUCH, I want you to know that I love this youth group very much!! I'm so thankful for your trust towards me, allowing me to walk with you & participate in your life journey. I've been amazed by what God has done in your lives & I'm extremely excited about what He plans to do amongst us. The world & even people in the church may despise you - let them be - the important thing is that you don't despise yourselves, because you are the apple of His eye. Don't ever forget that.

The Rocks

In conjunction with Teachers' Day & in our attempt to be a blessing to the secondary schools around Jalan Ipoh, TOUCH will be giving gifts to 120 teachers in SMK Raja Ali. We chose Raja Ali because it's the nearest school from our church., & we chose to bless the teachers because... what better way to penetrate into a school than to first touch the hearts of teachers, right?



Yesterday (Thursday) a bunch of helpful volunteers came over to my humble room to make beautiful paperweights. It took us (9 people if you include Rebecca & I, missing from the picture) 4 hours to complete 52 paperweights, simply because we (by that, I mean they) put our hearts & souls into each one - we want every teacher to be blessed by this small little gift. Tomorrow, we'll hope to finish another 68 more paperweights, while making another 120 handcrafted bookmarks. I hope that tomorrow's bunch will be able to give as much passion & enthusiasm as those yesterday.

Oh, in order to fund this community project & also others to come, we've started selling car stickers with our (new!!) TOUCH logo & our blip.tv link on them. Hopefully as we document our God-given ventures, www.touchpictures.blip.tv will create awareness towards our cause. I've recorded yesterday's paperweight-producing moments, that video will be up soon.

Many thanks to those who have given to help out in this endeavour - your talents, money, time, petrol are well-invested. THANK YOU.

Pleasant Surprise

Woke up to a pleasant surprise this morning - it was Rabeeka saying "hi" on msn. Turns out National Service is giving them a 1-week holiday, so she's staying at a friend's place. Great thing about it is that there's even a webcam there!! That's why I was able to take a picture of her. She says she has gain weight, apparently they only feed the NS trainees once - once a day, everyday, all day long. Well I say she's lovely as ever.

If you have msn / Skype, do contact her. I'm sure she wants to do some catching up. Oh, try to get her before night falls, better connection during the day wo... Even better if you have webcam, she'll be delighted to see you.

Missing Rabeeka

Rabeeka has become a very close friend to May & I. She will be leaving for National Service tonight & it's extremely heartbreaking, knowing that we won't be sensing her presence for the next 3 months.


I met her on Saturday styling a brand new (accidental) hairdo. But she looks as lovely as ever, doesn't she? Gosh I think I need a haircut too. And a new face & body. Maybe get a life too...

Will be missing you greatly, Rabeeka!! Will be praying for your safety & welfare as you have a blast in Sabah. Hope you'll find direction & purpose too.

Mikayla Yee

I have plenty to write on HUGE 2007. my videography assignment in JB, & our TOUCH Christmas production... But none of that can beat this latest craze...

Mikayla Yee was born to Lemuel & Melanie Yee on December 21st, 2007. May and I were there an hour after her birth, and I must say that it's a privilege to know someone ever since their first day on Planet Earth. It's REALLY REALLY COOL.

Don't know the hospital don't allow videography, but we managed to capture a few precious moments on my video camera (I asked Lemuel if he wants to do a reality show on Mikayla, but there's no answer yet). I would have edited and uploaded the video if I weren't so busy (practicing DOTA). But you can view some videos at the grandpa's website - http://www.thamwan.org/.

PK Gathering 3

9 PKs came together. We sat around the dining table & tested each others' food. It was homely, it was warm. Oh ya, we had pictaboo (combination of pictionary & taboo) too. Everyone was connected. It was good. Let's do it again.

Snail Mail

I forgot who came up with the brilliant idea of sending snail mail with a photo to all the newcomers who came for the BBQ, but Joseph & Caleb got the stuff printed out and both of them came to my house to finish up the letters... you know, cutting out the letter, putting into the envelope, sticking on the stamp...

the letter

Check out our envelope with our new logo!! Yes, we can print our very own envelopes!!

May saw the letters & said that she wished she was a newcomer. I share the same feeling =)

Rooftop BBQ: YATTA!!

Thank you everyone for coming to our first ever ROOFTOP BBQ!! Your presence has enliven the atmosphere & I'm looking forward to more good times with all 53 of you!! And in case you're wondering - YES, the fireworks was most certainly part of our plan (not)!!

Now imagine all 54 of us coming together every week...

Visit to Subang Cell

Last Friday (28/09) I went to Subang cell meeting. May was suppose to come with me, but she was ill. Being alone & quiet in the train brought back a lot of memories. I don't remember what was before, but I remember Barbara was the one who felt the need to start the Subang youth cell. I joined her in starting up the cell group & when she left, I continued serving with Debbie. I remember coming with Joseph and also with May - I believe that was 5 years ago.

Now another cell leader has left (Jason) and that night was the first time I see the new leadership in place. I reminded them of the significance of the moment - that now is the time to make the necessary changes. Re-evaluate - take the good, throw the bad, & FOCUS. At the end of the night, I felt that they too sense the importance of the moment. And I believe that they would rise to the occasion & be an example to all the other youth cell groups of our church.

Take them flying, Ben & Jac!! Hebrews 12:1-2

Saturday: Fion's birthday

Fion is May's colleague. She arrived in KL in April from Kuantan & doesn't have many friends in KL. Last Saturday was her birthday, so May and I took her for her first Japanese meal. We spent 2 hours together, and after that time I was really grateful to have known a new friend such as Fion. Hope we'll have many more good times together.

May says she can be a part time model. What do you think? =)

Friday: Ken Returns

Was fortunate enough to get in touch with Ken Chung the moment he arrived home. We met up with him after our cell meeting (which was a really good one). 4 months away in US, working as a lifeguard, Ken Chung looks entire different. But he was still as wacky as before, as he shared his experiences in the US with my cell group.

Good to have you back, Ken!! Looking forward to many adventures ahead!!

Thursday: New Drum Set

15 years and more, our church drum set has surpassed the services of Andy & Gabriel. On Thursday, Caleb, our current drummer, was taken out for a real treat - to buy a brand new drumset.

I think the new drum set would set off a big buzz in our church, even though this is only 1 step out of a series of events that is & will be taking place. The new drum set would be the most shiny piece of equipment up on stage, which now has a new arrangement to create the optimum sound. And these are only the things that people see when they step into the church. There are still many more movements in the backgrounds.

Personally it's helping me to take myself more seriously: the vision I have for the youth, the goals that we set together. I mean, things are being done to ensure that we have the space & capacity to run with these dreams that God has given, so I've got to prepare myself for the marathon ahead. I believe the beginning stages would require a lot of getting-out-of-the-box initiatives, but once we gain momentum, we're really gonna enjoy this run - especially when we run together. And oh, we might get a new drummer too... How about that?

Wednesday: HELP's Food Buster

Rachel and Alexa: Presidents of Food Busters

It's basically a very simple idea: Gather the college's food lovers, form a club that hunts weekly for the best food available in the Klang Valley & beyond.

I think youth ministries should start clubs as such in their neighbourhood. Something as neutral, harmless, fun, interactive as football, food, & music can bridge gaps & break walls. I wonder what would gather the youth of Jalan Ipoh... Hmm, I can't wait to find out.

About Yvonne

Yvonne will be the first to tell you that she has this strange notion of doing what she knows is wrong, & not following through with the conclusion "ya I need to stop doing that". She doesn't realise that she has managed to come to a realisation that many has not - we knowingly, repeatingly, willingly & foolishly, plunge into the same pile of shit. The next question we have to ask ourselves is WHY, but why bother? There's no reasonable answer to justify our unreasonable behaviour. We should just stop it. God help us all.

Yvonne tells me that she likes talking to me because we don't just talk about currents issues or the weather, & there's always some truths to be pondered upon. Well, as much as I enjoy saying things that provoke minds into deep reflection, I love to have such conversations with 'un-churched' people, because I too benefit from those moments. Her honesty about her own life has driven me to look into my very soul & do some... well... soul-searching.

And out of the much reflections lately, this one is a lesson learnt - that when we really humble ourselves & not be judgemental, the people around us - churched or not - can serve a mirror for our souls. And if we are willing to listen, we'll come to our senses & take steps to get ourselves out of that pile of shit...

Yvonne, thanks for sharing & thanks for listening.

This Is For Jason

On 9/11, the world remembers the tragedy that befell US 6 years ago. But my desktop calendar reminded of the fact that Jason was on his way to London... He got a scholarship from Astro, and he will be spending the next 3 years in London, studying graphic designs or something like that.

He has been a blessing to me & our youth ministry over the many years, but I really want to appreciate him for 2 things: 1, his involvement in my first movie & 2, for leading the Subang youth cell. Of the many dreams I have, I'm so glad to have him be involved in the 1 dream I managed to fulfill - making my first movie. It was a blast. And God used him (and Jacklyn) to impact great things into the Subang youth cell. Now that Benjamin (thank you for training him) is carrying the torch, I believe Subang youth cell will be moving further onwards.

Here are Jason's parting words for TOUCH:

p.s: Jason, don't worry. You won't be sorely missed. We all carry some part of you in us. Plus, Ken Chung's coming back soon =)

p.s: We visited Jason the night before he left for London. View the video here.

PK Gathering 1

We started here, and the bond is so strong that we don't want to settle for meeting once in 2 years. Our first PK Gathering 1 was held at Or~Ju, Metro Prima, Kepong, on 11 August 2007. And I'm so glad to finally get the video done!! WOHOO!!

Church Camp Camera Crew

Another big event has gone by, signifying of yet another set of videos for me to work on. It's going to be challenging, but it's great to know that I had 2 excellent cameraman capturing the moments - Brian & Rachel.

I also want to say a big thank you to all those who helped with the interviews & silly what-nots in between the services: Daniel, Joseph, Jason, May & the rest of the youth who bring so much more onto the screen. Creativity comes so naturally for you guys