2012 Japan APYC
This was
my fifth time to attend APYC but was my first time to be invited in the
preparation committee. I guessed maybe because I was in the committee so that I
felt more connected with this APYC than the previous ones. Or the simple reason
was because of the theme “Kizuna” (Bonds).
There were so many things going on during this
APYC. I would like to share some of the things what I felt and learned.
Firstly, confused.
The three Japanese ladies who are responsible for APYC are very new to organize
such a big conference. They tried very hard and carried so much administration
work, but the information didn’t pass on well enough so that most of the time I
was confused about when to meet, where should we go and how the things were arranged.
Secondly,
enjoy. During APYC I had so much enjoy moment. I enjoyed the culture night and
workshops presentation a lot. This time we worked with a group called “A Common
Beat”. They are professional performing group in acting, singing, and dancing. Half
of the Japanese participants came from this group. They have people helped with
the evening programs. The way they held the evening programs made everybody enjoy
the evening so much.
I enjoyed
the morning exercise too. Every morning we had some stretching and then we did
different activities. The person who led the morning exercise really made everyone
looking forward to waking up in the morning.
Thirdly, I
was proud of myself and the team. This time I was responsible for the session
of “Morning Quiet Time” with Cheng, and the “Family Workshop” with my brother
Chine Che. Thanks for help from Siddharth and Rhea with whom we had
brainstorming every night. Also I was grateful to those who shared their
stories during Quiet Time input, especially some of them were invited to share
just before the Quiet Time started. This time I could see most of the new
people really took the idea of Quiet Time. On the last day all of us (around 80
people) had a two hours quiet afternoon together. I was sorry that we didn’t
have enough time to share.
Taking on
the sessions of “Quiet Time” and “Family Workshop” was a new experience for me.
Before coming to APYC I had a rough idea of what I should touch yet I was open
for any other thoughts to come in. Then the inspirations come in when I had my
own Quiet Time in the morning. It was just like God’s voice leading me through
the time when I was talking to the group. And the feedbacks from the
participants were so positive which encouraged me very much.
Lastly,
the touching moment during APYC. There was one young man in my family group who
came from the earthquake place and was invited to share his experience in one
of the main sessions. He was the youngest participant, 18 years old, and hardly
spoke any English. In family group he only spoke Japanese and asked someone to
translate for him yet he prepared his speech in English. The night before he was
speaking, around midnight I saw him practicing his speech outside his room. Later
on I realized he didn’t go back to his room to sleep because he was practicing
so hard that he felt asleep outside. While he was sharing in the main session
none of us could understand his English, but I was touched by his hard working and
sincerity. Looking at him I can see the hope.
During
APYC the issues among different countries was brought up as well. There were
mixed relationship among Japan, Korea, and China. Many nights there were
different small groups going on talks about different parts of the history. It
was painful for the young Japanese to know what Japan had done to Korea and
China since their text book never taught. On the closing I was touched to see
Korean, Japanese, and Chinese sat together building up the friendships.
There is
much more to share but I will stop here.
Thank you
for reading.
H.Y
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