Church Anniversary Dinner

Phua Chu Kang is in town!!!

To celebrate the much anticipated event- of-the-year: 118^th Church Anniversary, the church has extended its warm welcome to this famous, hilarious, awesome actor/host/comedy performer – Gurmit Singh, or better known as Phua Chu Kang. 

A committee was formed and soon the church secured a booking at Kings’ Green Hotel for a 75-tables Chinese 8-course Dinner.  Tickets were sold out within the second week of the launching. 

Hubby requested to arrange for a dance performance at the dinner.  We started practising in June.  Initially I planned to have 20 tambourine dancers + flag bearers.  After viewing the hall and realised that the stage is quite small, I reduced to 10 pax.  

My stress level was on the rise as the Big Day drew near.  I was scheduled to worship lead the Sunday after the Anniversary Dinner.  Besides, I was supposed to sit for my exam that very week itself.  Preparing the song list for Sunday Worship, completing my assignment and project while studying for the exam – are only part of my near nervous breakdown.  Hubby then decided to test my limit by assigning me to design a brochure.  Thankfully, after hours of staring in front of the laptop, the brochure was done in time for printing; the assignment and project was completed, and I recently received my grade for the exam - with flying colours!!!  And the Sunday worship went well.  Phew!!!

The day has finally arrived!  One of my friends whom I invited for the dinner, See Kar, reached around noon and thankfully, Doreen was there to pick her up from the bus station and brought her to the HomeStay.  I re-scheduled the worship practise to the morning.  However, time was really not on my side.  After the practise, I had to rush home to cook for my two kiddos and then deliver it to the hotel as hubby was there with my girl to oversee that everything was in place.

Then, sent my princess to art class and drove over to meet See Kar and Doreen at Jonker Street.  Although they assured me that they understood my busy schedule and graciously told me not to rush over, I did not heed their advice.  :p  It was good to catch up even for that short one hour.  Went back home to wash up, got my kids ready, drove to the church to pack up all the flags and then finally, reached the hotel with my heart beating profusely.

I am so grateful to have my DG members, aka Siang Ling, Karen and Irene, to help me up with the make-up and hair-do for the dancers and flag bearers.  One of the dancers’ mom, Erny, was also there to assist that evening.  In fact, they reached the hotel earlier than me!  (*shy)  The reward is: They took a photo with Gurmit Singh even before the event commenced.

The early birds... exclusive photo with Gurmit Singh  (*jealous)

A special note of thanks to Susan for staying put at the hotel the whole day.  She was the first one to welcome Gurmit.  All of us were surprised by his early arrival.

Let the magic begins....

The dancers rehearsed a few rounds on the stage.  Though they were not perfect, they were awesome!  I am so glad to work with these incredible people for the past few months.  They have always tried their best and even took the extra mile to practice with extended hours.

Since it was still early, I took the opportunity to snap a few shots... hello, smile!

The 4 handsome flag bearers

The beautiful tambourine dancers

The majestic wings carriers

The girls...

Now, a group photo

My DG members

Soon, the hall was packed with people.  Elyse was eagerly waiting for See Kar and Doreen at the entrance while I rested at my table, munching some left over fries and sip a few mouth of coke.  At last, our guests of honor arrived and we continued to catch up with each other till the event started.  Bee Gek and her family arrived late as they were caught in heavy traffic jam.  Nevertheless, it was such a pleasure to meet her as the last time we met each other was 17 years ago!!! 

Buddies since secondary school

 

Simon led us in a time of worship followed by some video slides presentation.  The flag and tambourine dance was scheduled after the 2^nd dish.  The youth were nervously waiting for their call.  Karen, the MC for that evening, welcomed the youth with the sound of applause from the crowd.  They performed the routine without any mistakes.  It was such a joy to see the fruits of our labor finally accomplished.  I am proud to lead these precious ones through this journey.

The crowd waited patiently for the appearance of Gurmit Singh.  Our patience paid off as he made his entrance to the stage with jokes and songs.  Surprisingly, he sang extremely well!  And we had the honor to be the first to purchase his first debut album.  

The crowd went crazy as Gurmit walked around the hall posing for photographs.  He even played a silly game with a few gentlemen.  His transposed humor brought waves of laughter around the hall. 

The hall went silence as Gurmit shared with us his testimony on how God miraculously healed his mom and thus paved the way for his family to come to know God.  There’s a story behind every man.  Indeed, his life story allowed us to peek into his world where Christ and His grace are deeply embedded in his life.

The Dinner ended with the signing of his autograph for those who buy his album and a photograph session.  I was one of the last few to take a photo with him.   

My friends and I parted after the Dinner as I had a terrible headache.  I felt so guilty for being unable to accompany them back to the HomeStay.  Again, a big thank-you to Doreen for playing host.  

It was a beautiful evening, meeting up with beautiful people; watching a beautiful performance; listening to a beautiful story; having an encounter with a beautiful God.

p/s: And a beautiful ME!!!  :p