Thursday 8 December to Sunday, 11 December 2005 I have never attended or participated in a youth conference in my life so this was a new experience for me.
Someone asked me whether I met a 'friend'. He meant a 'boyfriend'. I said 'no'. I was there as a group leader of the young people of our branch. He asked 'how old?' I said '12-18' years!!!!
Yes, a conference especially for those from the age of 12 to 18 years old. I did not feel like going at first. I felt I was too old for this. But since I am a counselor in the Young Women organisation in my branch, I thought I should sign up and go as a volunteer to help as well as to learn about the youth activities. I have been in Relief Society all this while and for the first time I was called to this position this May 2005.
It would have been easier and fun if I had a companion of my age group from the Miri branch. Nevertheless, it had been a worthwhile experience for me to work with the young people. I was able to experience what a youth conference is all about instead of hearing them talking excitedly about it year after year what a wonderful time they had.
This year youth conference was held in YMCA, Sibu. We would be boarding there from the 8-11 December with the other participants from Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu. There are altogether 6 branches and more than 150 people participants (including the missionaries and the leaders). It was a good opportunity to meet, mingle and fellowship with each other. The youth would learn to lead and work together in respect, love and unity.
It reminded me of the outbound school in Kinarut, Sabah, where I went many many years ago.
Friday am, 8 December 2005
I wanted to be early at the church but instead I was the latest, due to some communication misunderstanding. Luckily I came in time. The bus was scheduled to take off at 6am but we took off at 6:20am. We arrived at the YMCA at 1215 noon. Half way, we picked up the Bintulu branch 2 group. This is our bus.
Our first lunch at the YMCA. Everyone was hungry after the 6 hours bus ride. We had Sarawak Laksa. The Young Women from the Miri branch: Catherine, Gloria, Bernadine, Marina, Fadelia, Doreen, Ivy and Hilda.
Friday pm, 8 December 2005
After lunch, we gathered in the hall to register and to receive instructions from District YM President Bray and District YW President/Sister Bray.
District Relief Society President/Sister Cheney lead the youth choir practices, in preparation for their presentation for Sunday District Conference.
A photo of the 100 plus youth participants
A photo of the youth and their leaders of the Miri branch. There are altogether 26 of us but only 25 here????? Someone is missing here. Let me see. We have Elder/Sister Ott, Brother/Sister Bray, myself, Kevin, Gloria, Gabriel, Timothy, Kimle, Clever, Dave, Billy, Fadelia, Catherine, Vincent, Gloria, Doreen, Hilda, Hii, Ivy, Marina, Cloe, Francis and Bernadine. I know. Brother Judson only joined us Friday afternoon. He drove his own car all the way from Miri. He was not able to follow the bus because of some personal problem. We are so happy to see him come in time to participate in the Friday night show.
Thursday night, 8 December 2005
I was asked to teach some dances and so I did. I had 6 dances planned but only taught 2: a line dance entitled Mary's Boy Child and a group dance - Samba. I forgot to ask someone to take photos! Anyway, I managed to take a photo of District President/Sister Cheney doing the twist. I did not teach the dance. I just put the music of "Let's Twist Again" by Chubby Checker and told everyone to twist.
To make the evening interesting, since not everyone likes to dance, Sister Gloria (Miri branch) came up with some games. This is one of the game. What are they doing? The YM are kneeling one knee, looked like they were proposing. Oh dear!! I forgot to execute my flash, zoom, night scene mode on my camera!
Friday, 9 December 2005
Group 4, 5 and 6 have to prepare breakfast!! I am in Group 5. Breakfast is 7:30 am. The youth were up in the kitchen by 6:30 am. By 7:15 am, the 19 tables were set with cereal, milk, bread, spreads, milo, juices and fruits. The sisters from the Sibu branch chopping up the watermelon.
After devotion, time for team challenges, this time each team are made up of 2 groups. I was in Group 5/6 team. There will be 5 challenges. These were the trials and persecutions that the earliest pioneers encountered while journeying west to the promised land.
We will start with the Handcart Company.
Testing your skill in blowpiping.
The Pioneers protecting their properties from the Indians.
Winter Quarters - Building shelters
Challenge overcome. Happy people!!
Happy trio from the Miri branch: Hilda, Marina and Chloe.
Our last challeng: Crossing the Mississippi River.
Time to rest before tonight's show. Sister Hilda, Ivy and Doreen from the Miri branch!
Friday night, 9 December 2005 - Show TimeAfter months of preparing and rehearsing, the time has come for the youth to present their acts. The title of the show was "A Marvellous Work and a Wonder". The youth from the Bintulu 1st and 2nd branches started the ball rolling, followed by the Sibu branch, Miri branch and lastly by the Kuching 1st and 2nd branches. It was indeed a marvellous work and a wonder to see the fruits of their labours at this show.
The lights in the hall were switched off and only the lights from the bulbs in the ceiling of the stage were shone. Being a beginner with the digital camera, I did not select my 'night scene' mode and so failed to capture any clear pictures - sigh!!! How I wish there is a camera that I don't have to do anything but just press the shuttle button!! Good or bad, these are the results of my present knowledge of the digital camera, taken of the Miri youth acting out their parts.
Scene 1 - Birth of Jesus Christ - the cast
Scene 2 - Life of Jesus Christ
Raising Jairus's daughter from dead.
Healing the hunched back woman.
Jesus and his disciples, Peter, James and John
Scene 3 - Death of Jesus ChristThe Youth sang "I stand all amazed" It was very touching. No picture taken.
Scene 4 - Resurrection of Jesus ChristMary Magdalene at the sepulchre.
The Miri Youth ended their act with the song "I Know that My Redeeemer Lives".
The young actors and the actresses of the night's show
I forgot to take pictures of the audience, the viewers! After the show, just fellowshipping.
Sisters Marina, Bernadine, Fadelia, Minah, Brother Willie, Sister Ott and Irene
Our own Charlie Angels from the Miri branch: Doreen, Hilda and Ivy
Saturday morning, 10 December 2005 - Devotional
What are they looking at? What are they doing?
This was the result. The words have been arranged accordingly. The Young Women Theme.
Saturday morning, 10 December 2005 - Service Project
We were divided into 3 groups. One group went to the Old Folks' Home.
One group went to the shoplots and the 3rd group to the Blind Centre. I was in in the 3rd group. For a start, everyone sat on the floor to listen to the manager of the Blind centre telling us what we could do to help. Two lovely Sisters from the Bintulu 2 Branch.
So off the youth to wash the toilets, cut the grass, burnt the debris, sweep the floors. Youth of the Bintulu Branch 2 swept the floor where the blind weaved the rottan baskets.
Brother Hii, Sister Hilda, Doreen and Ivy from the Miri branch cleaned the window panes.
After a pack of KFC lunch and after mopping the floor clean, photo taking time, the group at the Blind Centre.
Saturday night, 10 October 2005 - Kuching District Conference
We have the opportunity to meet with Singapore Mission President/Sister Larkins, Area Seventy Elder Tan and also President Tamil who is in charge of our CES in Malaysia.
Picture of Irene, Sister Larkins, Doreen, Ivy, President Larkins, Chloe, Elder Tan and President Tamil.
Sunday morning, 11 October 2005 - Kuching District Conference
The hall was packed!! Parents, friends, visitors, members, non-members have travelled from other parts of Sarawak to be here, to hear our leaders deliver their messages.
When names of missionaries, serving the different branches, were called, they stood up. There was one particular missionary that I was eager to meet and that is Elder Wong from Kota Kinabalu. I have known him when I was in KK and since he got baptised in 2001. A soft spoken person, whose personality and attributes I admire. A good example for our boys.
When President Larkins called Elder Wong (serving the Sibu branch) and Elder Randall (Miri branch) to come up to the stage to recite the missionary theme - that was a special moment - I know his parents, siblings, the members of the Kota Kinababu branch (where he come from) would be very proud of him. To be called to the pulpit, in front of the congregation, on behalf of all the missionaries serving in Sarawak, to recite the theme - that is honour. We are proud of Elder Randall too! I had to take a picture with this young man and so after the morning meeting was over, I headed to where Elder Wong sat and greeted him. I could see he was very busy. Members of the Bintulu branches that he had served before he was transferred to Sibu, have come to greet him. I am happy I had a chance to meet him and to have a photo taken, together with him and his companion, Elder Leisman. I am happy to meet Elder Leisman too, because he was in Miri before he was transferred to Sibu!!
The Conference ended with the youth singing so beautifully the medley that they have rehearsed for the past 3 days. Among the group on the left are Brother Vincent, Francis, Judson, Timothy and Clever.
The Nawin's siblings: Catherine, Vincent and Gloria. Only 14 and 12 years old, they have the coming years' conferences to look forward to. Guess which two of them are twins??????????
