5:30pm
It was hot. Sunny. But the cool sea breeze felt so refreshing. What a welcome difference to the rain that dampened the place (but not the spirits) of the Pirates of the Caribbean two years ago! Look at that gorgeous sky!
We had a cultural dance troupe open the event after which Ps. Albert recited a pantun to officiate the event. That was interesting! :)
Meanwhile, outside the fort, in the carpark, under the scorching Malaysian sun, the choir and a whole bunch of other people - kids, old people - all dressed in their baba nyonya outfits congregated to prepare for the procession.
The green gal gang!
Me and Mace. I'm starting to perspire like a pig already (wait, do pigs perspire? I'm sure they do) and the event hasn't even started yet!
Me and my mommy. Doesn't she look great in her kebaya? She's a sort-of genuine nyonya! haha
And part of the procession! Kids are carrying lanterns. They will also carry sparklers!
So when the procession finally began, to the fanfare of firecrackers, it was amidst much festivity and joy.
The cultural dancers in their baju panjang looked like they stepped out from the past.
And my parents on the trishaw :)
6:30pm
T'ng tok (long table) is a Baba Nyonya tradition at weddings. So this was quite the rare treat to be able to have so many people eating together at the same time. What an experience!
And I had the chance to take a picture with Denalyn too! Sad to say, Dena has forgotten me :( And I didn't get to see Jon or Cally or Alyssa! How can?
After a yummy dinner, took a walk around Fort Cornwallis, which is a great place btw. Who can resist posing by Sir Francis Light?
Or watching Senior Pastor Albert Tan playing seven stones heh hehe..
Or Uncle Tony kicking frangipani?
7:30pm
The most exciting part (for me... but I could be biased). We had practiced over the past month - the choir, singers, band... it was a night of many firsts for us as a worship team. First time we were featuring such a big choir (we targeted 100, we got close to 80). First time we were featuring a brass section (thanks to Valeri, James and Mclean!). First time we were doing such a big scale performance in the open! First time we were singing the song I wrote (that's because I wrote it for this occasion haha). But man, did God exceed our expectations. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly over and above what we could ever ask or imagine!
It was a powerful time of lifting up Jesus' name. And while it was part performance to the general public, I know that when we lift up Jesus' name, He draws all man unto Him! And that things are going to begin to happen. I am so excited for Penang!
Just look at the choir! They are my favorite choir in the world. :) And the singers too! And the musicians. It was so humbling working with all of you. Thank you for being a part of the team!!
It was sometime during the 3rd song that, as I glanced out into the sea of people praising God, that it hit me how significant this night was. My prayer is that this night of honoring God will be one that would echo into eternity! Look at the smiling faces! :) They're all doing the "baba nyonya" step to Trading My Sorrows! Lol.
At the end, Pastor Albert led us in a declaration of life. How powerful. Truly, "however, whenever, wherever and whatever You ask me to do, my answer in advance is: YES, Lord! Whatever it takes, Lord!" So it really was with determination and hearts filled with faith that we ended the night singing: "I'm going to be a history maker in this land
I'm going to be a speaker of truth to all mankind
I'm living for You!"
What a night! What an experience. What an honor to have been able to be a part of this. So what's next? :)
1 comment:
wowwww. yayyyy God! that's so awesome - thanks for sharing pictures, stories and blessings. made me think about salvation is here... the part of - hear the sounds of the generations, making loud our freedom song, all in all that the world would know Your name!
i have an exam coming up on thursday, will call u after it's done on thursday nite, k! hope you are there to answer because if you're not, i will ummm... i will cry. :)
OH one more thing - my mum says that www.expedia.com is actually the best place to find car rentals. she hasn't come across any deals from enterprise yet.. hope planning for the US is going well!
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