I am constantly amazed at how many near-impossible things I’ve done. Of course, I could not have achieved these things without the help of God and the people around me. Some of these things are: being the first ever non-public school team to become champions in the Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition (SAFMC) in 2014; becoming one of the first Guild inductees from East Asia in 2015; and most recently, being an Expo Influencer at the Institute for Cultural Communicators’ (ICC) Influence Expo 2016 in early November. Putting a group of nine youths together to run an event for the first time in East Asia that requires extensive preparation is not an easy task. However, with guidance and mentoring from Dr Teresa Moon, the founder of ICC, Mrs Eunice Au, the Director of ICC’s Online Academy, as well as Mrs Cassandra Shepherd, our Area Coordinator, we managed to put together a great experience for all the participants.
At the Expo, I felt as if I have come a full circle. I used to be the one being taught by the Instructors from the US, but this time, I was the one doing the teaching. I used to be a participant, but this time, I was a leader. I was reminded of my very first ICC event all the way back in 2010. A lot can happen in 6 years. In that span of time, I grew from an insecure and unenthusiastic kid to an eager and willing leader and speaker. At that time, I wasn’t very interested to learn about public speaking. I couldn’t even remember who came from the US, what they taught us and if I even learnt anything at all. Even though I don’t remember anything at all from that first workshop, it had laid the foundation for what I am doing today. If I wasn’t there 6 years ago, I wouldn’t have known about ICC and might never have joined a chapter.
After the Expo, I realise that I can influence many people, whether I know it or not. For all I know, I might be the one setting the groundwork for someone else to be the next leader. Because of this, I hope to be a better mentor for the people around me. Even if they forget me and what they have learnt, I hope that they would have been empowered to be effective servant leaders wherever God has placed them.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Titus 2:7-8 (ESV)
I Can Do It! 
Apple, hi! Would you thank John for this post? It’s so nice of him to put all these thoughts down; I know it took a long time. Let him know how power-giving the post is for people like me. It keeps me doing what I’m doing!!
I also am amazed at the near-impossible things I’ve done, I love how he said that! ICC is the entity that brings this kind of challenge into my life, with the simultaneous support, so that I can be amazed at what God can do in and through someone who just shows up.
Dearest Lisa, thank you so much for your encouragement. Apple
Hi Aunty Lisa, it’s John here! Thank you for encouraging me! I’m glad that you enjoyed reading my reflections 🙂