As I look back on the whole trip, I am so grateful for all the things I learned. I experienced a new culture. In the process, I learned a lot about my own culture. I worked alongside a great team--multicultural, intergenerational, and international. I stretched in new areas. I got to be part of something God is doing that is eternal. It is super cool hearing stories of how people were encouraged and inspired through the events. I can't wait to see where God continues to lead them and grow them to.
In this vlog, you'll get a taste of the Gardens by the Bay courtesy of Franklin Gunther. I hardcore introvert crashed that day, so he tried his hand at vlogging.
You'll also see Chinatown. It's like a glimpse into an old Chinese town. Really fun place to spend an afternoon!
One of my highlights of the trip was my last meal in Singapore. One of my dear friends, Auntie Connie helped me pick out some new foods to try. Now, while I loved the experience and food, I would not necessarily recommend eating fish eyes and spicy Laksa right before boarding an 8 hour flight.
Enjoy the vlog!
Thank you once again for supporting me! I cannot tell you how encouraging it was to know that people across the globe were praying for me. As I branch out from "home" more and more, my appreciation for friends who stick with me and encourage me no matter how far away grows exponentially.
I'm catching up!
The day after the conference ended, we started our ICC Forensics Society Tournament for 2016.
I didn't expect to relax during the tournament, but it may have been my favorite event I've helped with in the past few months. Because my roles were flexible (I helped guide new students through the tournament rounds), I was able to have actual conversations with students and adults. Yay! Plus, I churned out two vlogs.
A couple highlights in this vlog:
-Mr. Au, one of our team members, grew up in Malaysia. He always gave me advice on new foods to try. We got to visit a restaurant that makes the type of food that was unique to his hometown! That was pretty cool!
-When you don't have time to take the MRT (like metro or amtrak), you get a taxi. We had a lot of interesting, hilarious, and/or informative conversations with our drivers. My favorite question to ask was what foods they recommended. The man in this vlog taught himself English!
-During our tournament showcase, we recognized the first Young Speaker's Guild members for East Asia. John is from Singapore and Eliza is from Malaysia, so we not only recognized people for this position internationally, but in multiple countries.
Enjoy!
I am home in Virginia. You know, there are a lot of things I am greatly appreciating about being home. Like space to breathe in fresh spring air. I went to a garden and sat in solitude for several hours yesterday. That was soul food.
But I miss you, my East Asia friends! And I miss the curry. Somehow, I have still managed to have curry every day since I have gotten home. Tour=Coffee; Singapore=Curry. <3
Here is the vlog about the Communicators for Christ Conference.
It was a fabulous event. The teams worked well. The programing ran smoothly. The participants were amazing. Some interesting thoughts:
-96 Young Communicators for Christ students (6-10 year olds). Kevin and Kimberly bossed that track! Programs are different when you have 96 fantastic young speakers hanging out on the floor in front of the platform. :P
-I loved hearing my Apprentices (14+ Student Leaders) share their audacious goals about taking next steps with leadership.
-Eliza, Abi, John, and Jessi (first Student Instructors for East Asia) blew me away with their dedication, energy, encouragement, and growth. Your greeting is one of the best presentations I have ever seen. I loved working on a team with you.
-I learned that my favorite role on a team is getting to coach/guide. I thrived in my role as Apprentice Track leader and Student Instructor Team leader.
-There was a moment when I choked on a piece of rice and chili. For the record, don't breathe in rice. You might die. And one of my apps brought me a fish ball! I liked it. :) Basically, it's a fish meatball.
-Attitudes are contagious. My team went above and beyond with making theirs worth catching. So grateful for their example, positivity, and helpfulness to me and each other.
-Group consensus! We had a time block where we trained coaches and 13+ speakers in how to build consensus. One of the speakers in my group connected how building consensus is about peacemaking and transformation. No wonder I love it so much! ;) I loved watching the coaches realize that they will make better decisions if they bring their kids into the conversation and hear their ideas.
-Last, but not least, I helped make the highlight video! I gained some media skills over tour (yay for vlogs and intensive film days!) but this project was a STRETCH. With much coaching (including friends back home), I filmed, edited, and produced the below piece. I really enjoyed getting to do something new. I love that ICC is a place where I am trusted and mentored in stepping out in new ways.
I am so grateful as I look back on the event. It was pretty incredible. The vision was spread, the energy contagious, and we are hearing testimonies of growth.
Thank you for praying. We felt it.
One of our outings before the conference was visiting Sentosa, also known as Singapore's playground. I may or may not have screamed as I rode high up on a lift with another person who is terrified of heights. And I laughed my head off in the Trick Eye Museum.
We've been spending a lot of time talking about the eternal things we are seeing God do through this trip. One of those conversations happened at Marina Bay Front (the first shot in the vlog).
Tomorrow is our last day in Singapore. But have no fear. More vlogs are coming soon. :D
Hiiiiii! I am loving Singapore. I've gotten a bit behind with updates here because we were in FULL SWING conference mode. And now we are in tournament mode!
This vlog will give you a taste of the unique sights, smells, tastes, and culture of Singapore. It includes a visit to my favorite.....Little India!
Funny story, in Little India, Kimberly bought a pair of shoes. They said they were the same size, but when she went to try them on, one was at least three sizes smaller than the other. :P So we ran all the way back and traded it out.
Hopefully, I will have a conference vlog out soon! Stay tuned. :D
The team is pretty tired after the conference intensity and we would love prayers to stay healthy and finish strong!
Cheers of Kopi (coffee with milk) and Milo!
Jessica
We have been in Singapore for three days now. In that time, I have gotten an incredible taste of a new culture! We have had amazing food. My favorites right now are parta, samosas, passion fruit, mangosteen, tea tarik, random bakery finds and moooooooore! So yummmmmmmmmmmy! <3
I've made new friends with ICC families here and even with an Indian man in a hawker centre.
We have walked at least 25 miles already.
Here's the second vlog! Enjoy!
Conference prep hits full steam ahead tomorrow, so please be praying for that. I will intake my Student Instructors East Asia tomorrow, and my Apprentices the next day. I'm thrilled to work with them all!
In less than a month, my East Asia Instructor team will be landing in Singapore.
A couple fun facts about Singapore that I've learned over the past month:
-Singapore is the world's only city-state
-They place high emphasis on academics
-We will get to eat at Hawker Centers (large food courts with small food stands)
I am thrilled to experience the new culture with all my senses (my tastebuds are particularly excited :P). I know it will be a great experience working with a new team....including awesome folks from East Asia!!!!
Thank you for praying and supporting me in my fundraising. Our team has surpassed our fundraising goals. Seeing how abundantly God provided has stretched my faith. I am looking forward to seeing how He continues to provide as we move closer to hitting the ground.
This next month, I will be connecting with my team, preparing presentations for our Communicators for Christ conference, and helping to train our East Asia Student Instructors who will be joining us in Singapore.
Can't wait to see what's in store! I plan to keep you updated with vlogs, so stay tuned!
