Passion KL Days

Just got back from KL, went to the Passion World Tour with about 26 friends from the Amplify community. Just the sheer number of people going for a trip like this and you know you’re are guaranteed an unforgettable experience and truly it was.


Day 1 - Singapore to KL

We left for KL at about 8 in the morning, departing from LeMeridien Hotel. Half the bus was occupied by us so you can imagine the racket we were making for a whole Singapore leg of the trip. Well, they don't call us 'Amplify' for nothing.

So after we made across the Causeway, the Bus Captain decided to show mercy on the rest of the passengers by injecting a sedating device commonly known as ‘inflight entertainment’ into all onboard. Even Stefan himself was eventually subdued. Why they call it 'inflight' when our wheels were on the ground, at least when my eyes were opened, is anybody's guess.

We arrived at the Crown Princess, Kuala Lumpur at about 2pm Malaysian Time. Every one amassed into the lobby that was to become our assembly hall for the next three days. While dealing with the usual Malaysian efficiency, we sardined into Josie/Iggy/Don's room for a short briefing and prayer. Everyone was excited, full of energy and anticipation. It was great!

First destination was Bukit Bintan, KL's shopping tour de force. I was with Stefan, West, Cassie and a random taxi driver in Convoy 1. First, was lunch at Nandos. Obviously they did not anticipate 20 hungry young people from Singapore appearing at the doorsteps of their fine establishment. So settling in, ordering and waiting for the food was quite a drag. And finally when the food did come, I have to say it wasn't fantastic. Bernard of course made a big deal about it, which I secretly agree but I do remember it being a lot better when I ate it in Sydney. I’m guessing maybe it’s the water they use to wash the chicken. Yah. That’s must be it.

Thus begin the Great-Malaysian-shop-till-your-kneecaps-give-way-and-your-toenails-scream- for-mercy-spree. It would have been totally worth it, considering they have excellent medical therapies these days for serious leg injuries if not for the fact that I basically ended up not buy anything! Well, two T-shirts at the last minute so that I could get rid of some loose change. That was about it.

So I decided that I was going to redeem the experience by having us a great dinner at the roadside stalls in ChinaTown. And boy did we! We had 'Loklok', which was basically raw food on sticks in steamboat marinated in carbon monoxide courtesy of passing cars. It was awesome! Accompanied by Char-BBQ seafood, Fruit juice and hearty company, the day ended on a great note with a short behind-the-scene look at Night Market evacuation procedures.



Oh, we also were treated to a Laser show before heading back to the Princess performed none other by the Amazing LaserPen Becky That was pretty cool. Free some more. Malaysia Boleh!




Day 2 - St John's Church to Sunway Convention

I can't believe its already Sunday. So after a rather hurried Hotel breakfast with Stefan, Poon and West who obviously wasn't in the hurry having been eating since 7:30am, we convoyed over to St. John's Church.

Attending mass there was like WYD - Africans, Caucasians, Philippinos, Malaysians, Philippinos, Singapore and did I mentioned some folks from Philippines? The Sermon was good. The priest actually looked like he prepared it. The church was vibrant and noisy - the way I like it. Like it says people matter here. Like people is why we have and are church. Like it pleases God the Father when people talk to each other and share lives. and food. and cab fares. Love it!

After lunch at Lot 10, which is not at CCK, and incidentally also where I found the cheapest best tasting coffee-in-a-bottle for an amazing price of 1RM, (=50cents sing) we set off in two MAXI-cabs and a normal red one to SUNWAY CONVENTION!

Passion, meet Amplify. Amplify, meet Passion.




The KL Passion World Tour

Sunway Convention Centre turned out to be like an inland Sentosa Resort-style place and descended upon by hoards of Middle Eastern Tourists. M.E.Ts. I just made that up.

Like good Singaporeans, we were there four hours early. Which meant we could get free stuff like Passion Posters and flyers. (yes, Malaysians... watch and learn, its all not just about getting front row seats...its about the free goodie bag as well..) So we had the chance to...do more shopping. Weeey.

About 3pm, the whole lot of us did the Singaporeans thing and started queuing up at the stairwell leading to the Auditorium entrance. Playing cards, entertaining ourselves. Half way thru, Kevin Kong started jumping up and down and squeaking like a girl. I turned to see what was the commotion about and saw Charlie Hall walking by, probably doing something totally glamorous like looking for the toilet.

The gates opened at 4 and the whole gang basically ran like mad groupies to the auditorium doors. It was fun, Lydia later reported that it was the best workout she had in months. Bern said he never moved so swiftly in his life!

In the Singapore Army, we have a saying, "Rush to wait, wait to Rush." It seems like our Malaysian counterparts have a similar concept except they also added, 'Stand to wait, wait to stand." So apparently after all that Olympic-standard athletic showcase, the doors of the auditorium would not be opening until 6:20! So we had to continue to stand outside. We were however strategically located at the front of the line. Oh, there were like..8 other lines.

Then at 6:20pm, the running started again.



6:20pm (Malaysia Time) - 10:00pm (Singapore Time)

Semi-dark, lighted stage, huge cool Passion screen-saver going on...(got to get me one of those)...rows and rows of seats. those were filling up fast. I was pleasantly surprised to discover other youth groups from Singapore that made the trip as well. Youth Arise, Living Stones, Zion's joy...so it was like attending a class reunion. It’s very cool.

I also met Adrian from Lifeline KL and his fellow Lifeliners who apparently coming to Singapore last December for ‘Illuminate’ learnt more than just ministry when they were here. They were last seen dashing in a rather un-Malaysian way to the front row. *sigh..what have we done?

The entire night was simply awesome. Chris Tomlin lead a great worship, the video loops were kinda cool and Charlie Hall, was kinda..well..taught us a new tune to "Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again."

Louie Giglio.. (*jump around like a Kevin Kong).. well, he was amazing as usual. Awe us all with God's grace. The reading of Ashley's diary was a real home run for an incredible message. I was really turned on by God's unbelievable grace and was reminded once more of living life for the only one worth living for: My God.

Praise God for the evening and the encounter with God through Passion. It was an eye and heart opener for me. During worship, I peek around to my community - I know God was touching them too. I can't wait to hear about it next Saturday when we meet to share.

Oh, Kevin and Sharon had to leave early to catch the bus, but I was glad they stayed till the second last song so they didn't miss much after that. well, except for the totally amazing photo-taking in front of the stage consisting of all the catholic youths from Singapore, only to learn that they had turn off the screen-saver and we were asked to take photos outside instead because we were getting in the way of the bump out. Other than that, not much.

Josie, Iggy, Cassie and Andrew had to leave to go back Singapore at about 11pm. So after that, we made our convoy back to the hotel where I had a scrumptious feast of KFC whip potato and 3 strands of cup noodle.



Day 3 - Hotel lobby to KLCC to Singapore

Woke up in the morning. Don had shifted into my room together with Jem Tan. He was afraid to sleep alone. (just kiddin..) We had stayed up a while talking about books and break-ups... you know, the usual guy talk.

There was the slight confusion over the waiting time in the morning and so we ended up waiting for about an hour plus before we finally left for KLCC. Cass and I decided to take our chances at Bukit Bintan for some authentic street food. We had the best chicken rice, and then circled back to KLCC in a bus.

By that time, I was already exhusted, shopped and worn out from watching out for 26 people. But my heart was full and I was very happy to be on this trip with my community. Learned a bit more about myself, discovered new things about others. In all, it was a very rich experience. Praise God for this opportunity!

Was glad to have the bus come pick us up at the hotel and drive us back to Singapore bringing a close to an unforgettable trip with an unforgettable community.





Thank you Jesus.

Leo