APYAC- Jakarta.

-- WARNING --

Long post ahead. Spare time needed to read this post.

Well, well.... I'm back from Jakarta. Still up and well. Just having a little bit of sore throat but will be getting over it just fine. So what about APYAC (Asia Pacific Youth alive Conference)? It is really a fantastic conference. All who went there were truly blessed indeed. Let me take you on a journey that we (those who went for the conference) had went through in the period of 5 days when we were in Jakarta.

Wednesday morning of 20th June 2007. Some of us did not sleep the whole night as maybe due to the excitement of going to Jakarta. For others it maybe the very short time we have to sleep. So it's more or less like having a one, two hour nap only. But anyway we set off to LCC Terminal and reached there about 6am plus. Throughout the journey to the airport, most of us slept due to the dire need of sleep.

We then went to the check in counter to check in our luggage and head to McD for our breakfast. Blah blah blah, when the time came for us to board the plane we went through those security points to be scanned for illegal items and so on..... We took AirAsia and probably it maybe the first time taking AirAsia since it's also my first time taking AirAsia. To me thinking that is a low budget airline with no economy class and so on. My perception of the seats in the plane thinking that it's be ragged and dirty due to the over exposure of "Malaysia Boleh" spirit of vandalising things. Lolz. But my perception wasn't true, it's still in good condition, plush leather seats with no sign of itchy hand graffiti etc.

The journey took a whole good 2 hours. And those who still lack of sleep slept in the plane as you can see from the pictures above. The journey to Soekarno Airport was a bit bumpy as the weather was not that good and it just finished raining when we touchdown at Jakarta. When we had our passports checked and out from the arrival hall looking and wondering who should we meet up with. With ease we saw people wearing the orange (Speak to Nations) t-shirt and they were our hospitality team. About the hospitality team, I will talk about it later as I really learnt much from them and were impressed by their service.

So we took the bus and some in a car since the bus was crowded already and head out to our hotel that we're staying in which is Atlet Century Hotel. So that hotel was going to be our temporary "home" throughout our stay in Jakarta. After checking in, exploring other rooms we then head to a church "New Wine Fellowship" the place really looks like a vineyard. With vine hanging on the walls, grapes around the area. Makes you feel as if you're really in a vineyard.

We were treated with a spontaneous, last minute presentation by the music team. They sang a few songs which were great, note that the guy's hairstyle looks like guy sebastian's. After that we were treated for lunch. Which was good and tasty. After the food and casual fellowship we then headed out for shopping. Though shopping isn't a cup of tea for me I've got no choice but to follow. At the same time there's the need of buying groceries and also the agenda of watching Fantastic four 2 (which is just ok-ok) I gladly went along. (as if I have a choice)

So we spent almost 4-5 hours in the mall, walking around till our legs want to drop off already which is why we resulted in sitting down to rest our tired legs. In front of Starbucks. But then was called to stand up a few times by the security personnel there as we were not allowed to sit. Which I don't understand why not.... Hmmm...... Weird it is..... And so that was our first day of light and easy.

So the next day where the conference started (in the afternoon). We lazed around in the hotel, sleep as much as we can after that we head to Istora stadium. And once we entered the stadium along the walkway we were greeted "Shalom" by the ushers there and were led to a room where the Malaysian delegates are. So we had a short prayer time, blessing the conference and declaring the greatness of God and what He is about to do in the conference. After that we were led to our seats which is just in the front row. (thank God for that) otherwise I would not have nice pics to take. I'm in awed on the stage setting and also the lighthings and visual effects except the point where they flash our the sponsors advertisements when the conference starts. I wonder....

Anyway the grand opening started off with good choreographed traditional instrument which sounds great, with a few other presentations. And then worship started off and then preaching by Ps Clement Wong and that was the grand opening of the conference. And then at night was Indonesian night where we were shown the traditional costumes they wear. The different ethnic costumes they have and so on. So they had various presentations about Indonesia more or less like an introductory night I'd say.

The next day, we had breakfast and walked to the stadium which is just about 10 mins walk from our hotel. So it's good to save on the transportation fee. It was indeed a hot, humid day where the sun just glare it's heat on you. And the session was just arranged like usually done in camps. Worship, session, break, another session then workshop. As for the workshop I just attended one out of three because one point is that got to get back and get ready for the International night where some of us are involved in the worship so we went back to our hotel and get ourselves prepared.

And the time we've been waiting for after in total 6 days in just 2 weeks of practice for the Malaysia delegates to lead worship in Indonesia!! Woohoo.... Now this is what I call the REAL Malaysia Boleh! Haha. For me, the 6 days of practice didn't went quite well as I did not have the percussion set to practice on and also news saying there wasn't any percussion set provided that made me anxious but in the end relieved that they say would try to provide one. So i went along the practice with just a tambourine borrowed from church and my egg shaped shaker.

With due honesty I have to say I did on have any practice at all till that day itself with just some testing to check whether it sounds ok. And the worship session started and boy.... I sort of played by the spirit? Adding just play whatever I know that blends with the song. I barely can hear myself through the monitors though but anyway it was rather a wonderful experience being able to play alongside with juwita suwito, Liang, John, Amanda, Haiyen, Abigail, Raymond, William, Simon, Michael, Jason, Daniel, Enoch, Ps Gwenn and Prakash. Musicians & singers. Able to see people worshipping together in unity have my heart open and filled with gladness as we are ONE in Christ Jesus.

The next day it was pretty much the same as the previous day except there a session less but had an extra workshop. I went for the post-modernism which was just ehm... so-so as relatively I suppose the indonesians may understand better than I do. After that one and only workshop I attended we decided to go Hard Rock cafe. That's why we skipped the last workshop. Heh heh. It is my first time going to hard rock cafe and actually eat lunch there. The food served there I dare say is about american size food? Big portions that can feed 2 persons per plate, depending whether you're a big eater or not. So I had tenderloin for myself which I was able to finish it without much difficulty =P

Then we went to walk around the mall buying stuffs etc. Then head back for the finale night. Yeah, sad to say the last night of the conference. Our Malaysia team were invited to go on stage to sing 2 songs and then other team took over and that is where everyone on stage together. Sort of a unity thing. And thank God for what He has done throughout the conference. For me, the conference awoke my spirit man to rise up and continue to shine for God. Crying is just a mere thing anyway (which in short i did shed tears) no big deal about that. And to learn that nations ARE indeed together as ONE. Languages isn't a barrier as we believe in the same true God.

As usual after every conference when you are at overseas there's always a thing called "taking your data" such as email address, hp number and so on. And not leaving taking and taking pictures. Yeap, the delegates from Malaysia did took a picture together too.

On Sunday, we decided to go to New Wine church to attend their service which we did (except due to unforeseen circumstances we arrived kind of late and missed the worship service but at least manage to go for the sermon. A group of us went for the youth meeting which we ended up our turn to spontaneously have presentation for them. We ended up singing "My Redeemer Lives" & then they asked for more when their band played "Take it All" where we don't have a choice but to sing. Thank God we know that song or else we would be speechless.

After service we went for a last round of shopping, buying things we haven't buy as yet, So this time those who still want to shop can continue on while the others can go have a drink. Which we did go to as shown in the picture below. And we chat we our hospitality team who were with us throughout the conference soon as we touched down at the airport in Jakarta.

After that we went back to our hotel (which we had already checked out from) to pick the japanese delegates to the airport. That time, the sourness of leaving Jakarta very soon came seeping down (for me, don't know about the others). Though it's pretty sad to say goodbye but with modern communication, we can at least still stay in touch with them. So we chat along the way to the airport. One more thing, which I forgot to add on. You may say KL have the worst traffic, wait till you come to Jakarta! The traffic is manically crazy like anything. It's just only holding for your dear life sort of traffic. Cars can be just inches apart in every direction. So just be careful I'd say when you're there.

So at last we reached the airport and where the hugging and saying of goodbyes begin. We also prayed a prayer of blessing for them.

And now about the hospitality team here what I can put as my Hospitality 101:

1. Sacrifice is primary. When people comes to your country you serve them which ever ways possible.
2. Provide what people needs. In terms of transport, food etc.
3. Be open minded & except others for who they are.
4. Just be casual and chat with them (visitors).
5. Get to know the visitors as well as possible.
6. Create a friendship with them, more or less like a bond.
7. Enjoy the time together as it's not always you can meet with them.

As you can see, those point i wrote equals to what they did to us Charis people. They portray servanthood that we from Malaysia had never seen before in our own country. The feeling of them serving is very different. And it leaves an impact that we can remember for the rest of our lives. They bless us and we though giving them a token of appreciation does not cover everything. It's way beyond words to even describe the feeling. They sacrificed their time, sleep just to make sure if we are safe and sound, having the necessities, helping out in buying food for us. When one member ours fell sick, had a doctor to attend to him. So Eka, Dorkas and team if you're reading this. To let you all know, You Guys Rock!!

After goodbyes and talking through the phone with them since they can't enter to the area we're in we had a quick bite at Star bucks and off we go on our journey back to KL. With almost veryone sharing their own experiences, it is certainly the best trip we've been thoughout our lifetime. The journey was a smooth one and we arrived safely at the airport around 12am. All Glory to God for this wonderful & marvellous trip plus experience.