East Asia Communicators for Christ Conference 2016!

Hey hey!

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.

The CFC Experience | East Asia from ICC on Vimeo.

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.

Warmly,
Jessica

Singapore's Playground

Hey friends!

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

Jessica

Little India

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

Oh the places you'll go!

Hey there!

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!

With gratitude,
Jessica

Halfway across the world!

Hey friends!!!!!

We are in Singapore. It is sooooooo beautiful and humid which is making our skin happy.

Here's a vlog from our prep days:

Thanks for your support and encouragement. 

Things we'd love prayer for these next few days:

-adjusting to the time change and culture

-connections with out friends here in East Asia

-preparation for the conference next week

From beautiful Singapore,

Jessica

East Asia, Here We Come!

Hey friends!

  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!

With excitement!
Jessica

Five of the Best Things About Tour and the Next Adventure!

Hey Friends!

Thanks for sticking with me through tour! In this vlog, I share five of the best growing areas in tour for me.

Also.........wait for it.......exciting news about what's next! Which is traveling to Singapore as an East Asia Instructor to help lead the East Asia Communicators for Christ Conference. I'm excited to take all the areas I've gotten to develop skills over tour and share that experience with young people in East Asia who are seeking to become stronger leaders and communicators for Christ!
The current faith adventure is that I need to raise $3000. $1500 of that is due by Monday evening the 21st!
I am asking you to join other relatives and friends to prayerfully consider sponsoring this international conference by supporting me. Every cent counts and will go toward furthering His kingdom and developing communicators who are being mentored to lead.

The Institute for Cultural Communicators, Inc. is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit religious foundation.  Tax-deductible donations via check or credit card can be made at the Donate Online page.  If you would like the donation to go specifically toward my portion of fundraising, please put my name in the comment box. :)

Your prayerful consideration of support is very much appreciated. Above all, pray for God to use this as a time for me to love our friends in East Asia and to better equip me to serve Him.

Thanks for supporting me in the journey!

Jessica