15 Jan 2004 (Modified on 21 Jan 2004)
To God and my dear fellow Genesians ,
About my sharing of being in g2 for about 4 months…

16 August 2003. That was the day my Confirmation 4 batch was confirmed. After that, it was time we each go our own ways to go forth and serve the Lord. Some had their own paths, while some shared the same paths. Some of us joined the Youth Council, while the others went to Genesis 2 choir. I wanted to strengthen my faith with God. I needed to search for my own path.

I was pondering over which Catholic organization or group to go to when suddenly I somewhat had a calling form God to join the Genesis 2 choir. I shared my thoughts with a friend of mine. Her name was Joanna. We came from the same type of Co-curricular activity. The Band. I was brought up with no musical backgrounds and hence hardly possessed any musical skills or knowledge until I joined my school military band in the year 2000. I decided to make good use of these gifts God has taught me for 4 years. Hence joining a church choir would be an excellent choice for me. And that was when Genesis 2 came to my mind.

God gave me an answer when I received a phone call early one afternoon when I was at home. On the line was Darren Leong, the head of g2, who asked me to join the choir for mass practice the following Saturday afternoon. I gave a positive reply. I agreed to go.

At the moment I made my first steps into the choir room was a turning point of my life. Unfamiliar faces of young and grown ups surrounded my shy face. But soon I made new friends. However, this was not the end. I rarely mingled and communicated with them because I was rather concerned with the 'O' levels approaching around the corner in November. I would hardly stay up for any night practices and just make my way home after mass.

In the whole month of October and November, I hardly went to church in view of my 'O's. I had one thing in mind; I wanted to be a jigsaw piece of the G2 family because I felt that I was slowly drifting away from them. In doing so, I was actually drifting away from God.Then, I tried to build bridges between g2 and me.

But it was no use. All that came to my mind was studies , not God. Soon, a big barrier began to build up between God and me. At times, I had sudden thoughts of leaving g2. But I prayed to God to give me the strength to persevere through the pain I was going through.

After my 'O's, I came back to church feeling repentant.

I walked up to an empty pew during an early afternoon, prayed and asked the Lord for forgiveness. I feared the worst seeing the faces of the people in g2 again. I thought I would be more than just a thorn in one's flesh to g2 after placing God aside for a month. But I was wrong.

Things actually went smoothly after that. I was welcomed back into the family of God again. It was like the feeling of a sip of cold, fresh water entering my mouth after being thirsty for years. God had answered my prayers. I broke the ice by starting to mingle more with g2. I began to stay up more often for night practices in preparation for Christmas. I would also join them after that for 'dinner' at this place they call' Beer Garden'. Pretty funny name isn't it? (Laughs).

I discovered that the people I made friends with were unique ones. Because everyone was treated like a brother or sister in g2, just like a family. And I saw God in each and every one of you all. When I first felt like a brother to them, I gave a smile, turned my head facing to the blue skies and in my heart I said," This is where my journey starts with you God".

As I looked back at the month of October 2003, all my cold thoughts of g2 and leaving g2 at that time never proved right to me now. I did it. It was all a test from God. I persevered to the end. And here I am now fitting like a jigsaw piece in the g2 family and I thanked God for that. Being in g2 has brought me a step closer to God now. G2 acts like my second family to me now. And as for the church, it is my second home.

Of course at times, quarrels happen between us due to misunderstandings, impatience, selfishness etc. But I think that most importantly, we should forgive one another and peace will fall in place. And that is what I want to tell to all my fellow brothers and sisters out there.



The month December was the time I got to know more of the inner side of g2...

if not for the Camp. Besides the many new friends I made, I have learnt quite a lot from the camp too. For example is the fact that we should accept and acknowledge each other's weaknesses as well as strengths. If not, peace can never take place. Very true. Nobody is infallible. For instance I have to admit that I am rather an irritating person and you should see how people react to my irritancies. Well, I am certainly going to change that flaw of me.

I have also learnt the importance of being in a family. No one in a family goes solo. When trouble breaks out in a family, every member helps another to find a way out. And when there is happiness in a family, every member shares the same happiness. A family hence suffers and enjoys together. And suffer not because of hate or selfishness, but because in a family everyone cares or one another. And they love each other, remembering how Jesus died on the cross for us.

I would like to apologise to those people who were gathered outside my room during the first night of the g2 camp for scolding you all and for being such a spoilsport (I can't believe I did that, maybe because of sleepwalking?) Please forgive me

Personally, I think being in a choir is never a one-man's-job or should I say a solo's-game. This is because the music a choir makes will sound good and well balanced only when every individual blends with each other. This has nothing to do with volume. I normally relate music with the jigsaw puzzle concept. In a jigsaw puzzle, it is made up of different jigsaw pieces. These jigsaw pieces connect together and bit by bit, a beautiful picture begins to take form of. Now every one of us is actually an individual jigsaw piece. Each of us has our own individual shape and size. And by connecting together, we are blending with each other. The outcome? A beautiful piece of music sung. If a person were to sing by himself (ignoring the idea of blending), then the jigsaw puzzle loses a piece, leaving a space in the picture. And can you imagine everyone does that? No picture at all!

In time to come, we will always face difficulties and troubles in our everyday lives that would upset us, shadowing our hopes of the happiness and joy we always look forward to. Remember my fellow Genesians,that there is always light at every dark tunnel. God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, he works in ways we cannot see. We are servers of Christ; we forgive one another and learn from each and every one of our own mistakes. Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace. Look forward to a better tomorrow.

And yes indeed, there is a better tomorrow awaiting for us. Keep the music alive and going. God bless each and every one of you all.

" Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offences " - Proverb from Solomon

We are Genesis 2
We are a new beginning

Your brother, Lee Nicholas