The Magic of Lawrence and Priscilla (as featured in The Straits Times, 9 Oct 2006)

Oct 9, 2006

SITNews

S'pore adds a little magic to Japan ties

by Kwan Weng Kin

TOKYO - FAMILY MAGIC: The father-and-daughter team of Lawrence and Priscilla Khong easily overcame the language barrier at their charity magic show.MAGICIANS Lawrence and Priscilla Khong are in the business of putting some magic into the lives of people wherever they go.The father-and-daughter team from Singapore mounted an hour-long magic show in Tokyo last week that enthralled a nearly 150-strong audience of mostly pre-schoolers and the mentally handicapped.

The charity performance, held in Tokyo's Minato ward, was part of events marking the 40th anniversary of Singapore's establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan.

The Singapore Embassy, which organised the performance, is located in Minato ward.'The embassy's objective is to portray a softer and kinder side of Singapore in the ward. We are also promoting the show as a kind of Singapore culture,' said an embassy official.

An interpreter was on hand during the show to help with translation whenever the magicians spoke in English.

But the illusions on stage hardly needed explaining.

Mrs Maureen Tan, wife of the Singapore Ambassador to Japan, Mr Tan Chin Tiong, was in the audience.

She said after the show: 'The audience was really responsive. At first, I thought they would be a bit shy. But you can hear the children's spontaneous shrieks of joy especially. There was no language barrier.'

The Singaporean magicians were here for a three-day run of their 'Magic of Love' musical extravaganza, following a successful tour in the US. The Tokyo shows ended yesterday.

The embassy also plans to invite two well-known Singapore chefs, including celebrated French chef Justin Quek, to prepare a series of formal lunches and dinners for distinguished guests in the next two months.

In December, the embassy plans to stage an event showcasing Singapore culture, which will include an opening night performance by the T'ang Quartet, Singapore's highly acclaimed chamber music group.

Magic of Love 2006 in Tokyo: Team 4 (led by Ps James)

This is the final promotional team from Singapore, led by Ps James. Once again, I am happy to see fellow Singaporeans bringing that FCBC fire here to Tokyo. Happily, I am able to partner my spiritual grandmother Nira, as well as my spiritual aunt Wai Bin and her husband Ellex in working with this team.

The leader of this team, Ps James is really wise, I learnt many things from him! And I get to know new friends like Audrey, who is such a delight to my heart! The team stayed at Team Centre, the very same place I stayed for MOL 2005 and I felt really nostalgic when I went there to meet up with the team. Team centre was the place where it all started (learning to get out of comfort zone and what it means to be an intercessor) and it felt surreal that I am back again 1 year later, partnering my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to serve the people of Japan.

We had a team-building dinner at Shinjuku on Friday ( 29th Sep) and on Saturday, we went prayer walking at Yasukuni Shrine and Mielparque Hall. We were informed, while at Mielparque Hall that we were invited to promote MOL at a church on Sunday so we had an impromptu singing/dance practice outside Mielparque Hall. It was very spontaneous, with Nira teaching the team how to sing the song `Zhan Mei Zhu` and both of us teaching them the dance steps. Our tribe loves to sing this song when we go for carolling during Christmas and although I felt a bit shy dancing in public in Japan, everyone got into the spirit and we started singing loudly in front of the hall. Some passer-bys stared at us curiously but I think it was a proclaimation of victory for what the Lord is going to do. Any time is a good time to praise God!

On Sunday, we went to Ogikubo Glory Church with Niimi-san. We didn`t have time to perform the song but Ps James gave a short speech to promote MOL. The service reminded me of my grandmother`s methodist church (which I go every Christmas since young) and I thought of how all these people are going to leave a legacy for their future generations.

The choir sang with heavenly voices and the sermon was on John 11:40

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

The sermon talked about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and the pastor asked us if we have, in our heart, the stone of disbelief that we must roll away to see what God has done in the cave. The message touched me and I was convicted of my own stone of disbelief in my heart.

After the service, we were invited to lunch in the communal dinning room where lunch coupons were sold and the congregation could fellowship over lunch. Being spontenous ,we took the chance and spilt up to talk to the people by sitting next to them. After a while, Ellex got the opportunity to perform some tricks in front of the people and Nira encouraged us to go forward to promote MOL to the people.

So it was very impromptu but the performance was well received especially by the kids, who were very eager to volunteer themselves.

After visiting the church, we intended to go to Shibuya to perform some tricks on the streets and give out free tickets. However, it started to rain and we ended up at Choco-cro cafe (Nira`s favourite cafe) to discuss plan B. The team started to practise their tricks while waiting for the rain to stop. Once again, this being the super spontaneous team, we discovered that the cafe was a good place for us to promote MOL to the people sitting around us.

Audrey attempting the suicide knot; Nira trying to tie a knot using one hand; Wai Bin and Ellex displaying their props.

Wai Bin, Audrey, Benjamin and Nira reaching to a man sitting at our big table; Thomas doing the bandana trick; Ellex the brave one who approached a guy sitting by the window.

We split up and went to different venues to try to give out tickets that were sponsored by FCBC members. I went to a nearby MacDonald with Nira, Audrey and Ps James while Leah, Thomas, Benjamin, Wai Bin and Ellex went to Starbucks. We managed to give out tickets to many young people and I was amazed with the enthusiasm of those who received the tickets. Audrey surprised me with her gung-ho attitude, she was like GO GO GO all the time. She really was a great encouragement to me while Nira was as usual, being the proficient salesperson, chatting away with the people despite the language barrier. Everyone was encouraged with the people`s receptiveness and the day ended well with the team feeling accomplished albeit exhausted.

Dinner at Shibuya with the team. (Wai Bin and Ellex went back because Wai Bin was not feeling well.)

I learnt a lot from this team, because all of them are so on fire and always ready for action (Very spontaneous!). The team spirit is wonderful and I really enjoyed working with this team and Pastor James. It was great to have Nira on the team as well as I was reminded of MOL 2005 and it really seemed like yesterday that we partnered together for a mission.

I also got a chance to know Wai Bin, my spiritual aunt (who is under Nira) and Ellex better. Managed to catch up with them over dinner after the team returned to Singapore. Thank you to both of you, who taught me how to read the Bible by chapters and to proclaim the Lord`s promises daily.