For the working class, 1st of May marks one of the many blessed days in their calendar when they can finally stretch out their tired muscles for that much deserved break. However, that day meant more than just a holiday for the family of Hope KL Churches. It was that meaning that got them rising up even before the birds start to chirp and prepare their hearts, minds and soul to head to UNITEN Sports Stadium. The meaning that inspired the theme for this year’s HOPE GAMES; for Unity, Fellowship and Spirit
It was a kaleidoscope of colors as the stadium was filled with people wearing their respective color-coded T-shirts. The family of Hope KLCC came in blue, Hope Serdang in white and Hope PJ in their favourite red. Praise the Lord that our daughter churches Hope Mentakab, Hope Ipoh, Hope Kuantan, Hope Kuala Terengganu and Hope Kota Bharu were able to make it this time around too. However, deserving special mention is a special group of men and women in black hailing from Hope Serdang which forms the strong and dedicated committee team.
The event kicked off with march-ins from representatives from each Hope KL centre. Hope Games this year was also specially blessed by the presence of the 3rd Company of KL Boys Brigade. The boys, looking smart in full uniform and their elaborate instruments, stunned the crowd with some truly impressive performances complete with creatively mixed familiar tunes and even some touches of martial art choreography. With speakers flooding the stadium with songs praising our Lord Jesus, sister Jenny Kee and team then led the Hope Family to morning warm-ups.
After that, the Games officially began! Simultaneously, events such as basketball, volleyball, telematch, athletics, netball and even one of a less physical sort, chess, commenced. There was even a special program catered for PKC which keeps the kids entertained with interesting activities like the eye-opening magic trick performance.
There is indeed something that keeps everyone busy that day even if they are not involved particularly with any event. Either they are cheering their hearts and voices out for the favorite team, mingling around, fellowshipping, or probably getting their pens busy writing down names for an interesting challenge from the MCs called My Family of 30. The idea of the game is to get the names and contacts of 30 new friends from the stadium and of course, with prizes in store too.
As the day progressed, there is a point when the sky suddenly darkened and a few drops of rain trickled down. I believe many started to pray inside their hearts, for rain rain to go away, come again another day, coz Hope people wanna play! Praise God, it was just false alarm as that was all the rain that fell that day. And soon enough, the sun showed it face again as started people wearing back their shades and caps, applying more sun-block and joining the long queue at the ice-cream stall whose cold delights were selling like hot cakes.
Talking about food, it is surely something that should not be neglected in an event like this, especially for us food-loving Malaysians. There is something for everyone’s stomach, whether its rumbling or not as all the delights from the multiple stalls looks too tempting to ignore. However, what matters most is still the proceeds from the sales which don’t go to the sellers pockets but rather, meaningful purposes; be it church-building, camp-funding, etc. Even the children were having fun contributing to this, walking around and persuading those sweaty-looking uncles and aunties to buy their ice-cold drinks.
Finally, after a tiring but fruitful day, the Hope family gathered to watch and cheer for their teams in the tug-of-war which marks the final event for the day. Most also stayed back for the much anticipated finale to the day; the price-giving ceremony. It was perhaps one of the best moments for the folks from Hope Serdang as they received the trophy for overall champion. However, we were reminded that winning was not everything but its the Unity, Fellowship and Spirit binding this family that counts. Moreover, as Pastor Moses said, “All of us have a journey (a race) of faith to win.” And all glory from that victory goes to God, and God only.
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