Finding Strength in Faith: My Journey to the Kingdomcity KL Conference 2026 (Final)

11th September 2026 (Friday)	After I bathed, Elizabeth woke up and prepared breakfast for me. She heated up the leftover lasagna and dim sum, cutting half the lasagna into pieces for me and saving the rest for herself. She arranged the lasagna pieces and dim sum with chili sauce on a plate and made me a warm cup of Milo. I ate my breakfast while she showered. Although the dim sum was quite hard—packed dense with meat—I finished every bite. She ate her breakfast after getting ready. Elizabeth suggested visiting the nearby mall before heading to the conference. We left around 10:30 a.m., and I mentioned that I wanted to reach the venue early by 12:00 noon when doors opened so we could secure good seats. The organizers were holding ministry time and opening the altar for anyone needing prayer. After taking the lift down to the carpark, we used the connecting walkway between the apartment complex and the mall. At the carpark walkway, I stopped and converted my rollator into a transit chair by flipping its narrow backrest over. I sat down and asked Elizabeth to push me. I wanted to avoid walking long distances and straining my legs; I needed to conserve my strength so I could stand and dance during worship for the remaining three sessions on Friday and the final session on Saturday. My heart's desire was to stand alongside everyone else for as long as possible, so I only sat on the chair when absolutely necessary. Elizabeth found it much easier to push me directly, as it saved me from overexerting myself. We bought two 1.5L bottles of mineral water and a few buns before heading back through the carpark. I bought four buns in total—two for dinner and two for breakfast the next morning (though I ended up eating a third bun for supper that night!). I reached the conference hall a few minutes after 12:00 noon. After placing my backpack on my seat and taking a brief rest, I walked straight to the front where the open altar ministry was taking place. I navigated my rollator through the crowd of people sitting, standing, chatting, and walking, collapsing the frame whenever the pathway became too narrow. People graciously made way for me. I joined the line waiting for prayer. Many pastors were giving their time to listen attentively and stand in the gap for people's needs. After waiting a while, I flipped my rollator seat around to sit and wait patiently for my turn. I initially regretted not typing out my prayer request in advance on my phone, but the pastor seemed to understand me perfectly as I spoke slowly and clearly. In hindsight, typing it out wouldn't have captured everything anyway, as key prayer points came to my mind right while standing there. Now, I have a clear picture of what I am truly believing and praying for. Previously, I couldn't articulate my needs specifically because so many areas of my life felt overwhelmed. Many of the simple things I wish for are things most people possess and take for granted. After receiving prayer, I returned to my seat to rest before the 1:00 p.m. service began. A woman sitting in front of me—who was caring for her elderly mother in a wheelchair—turned around to tell me how inspired she was by my independence and passion for the Lord. Her daughter was also there helping care for her grandmother. I was touched when she asked for permission to pray over me as well. A brother sitting a couple of seats to my right kindly offered to refill my water bottle whenever he went to refill his own. Throughout the day, I saw our Penang church members walking past my section, and we warmly greeted one another. During one of the sessions, several Penang members sat together right in the row behind me, which brought me so much joy. During the short break between the day's early sessions, I noticed several missed calls from my mother. I called her back, but it was difficult to converse as the next service was starting. She was still at my house because my brother hadn't picked her up yet. I tried ordering food delivery for her—even though she insisted she was fine—but my mobile data was extremely slow inside the hall. After two or three failed attempts, I slipped my phone back into my backpack, stood up, and rejoined the congregation in worship. I didn't check my phone again until I stepped out of the accessible restroom after the session ended. There were over ten missed calls from my mother. I felt a sudden surge of shock and frustration that she kept calling repeatedly while I was trying to focus on spending dedicated time with God. When I called her back, she sounded disoriented and anxious about what to pack for her stay at my brother's house. I messaged my brother to clarify when he would pick her up. Since he was only coming at 7:00 p.m. after work (an hour and a half later), I ordered food for my mother immediately so she wouldn't stay hungry. I hoped she had at least eaten some biscuits, oats, or instant noodles from our pantry. I realized I should have clarified with my brother when he texted on Thursday morning saying he would pick her up on "Friday for lunch"—I should have asked whether he was taking leave or if he meant dinner, so I could have arranged lunch for her earlier, just as I had done the day before. I ate an early dinner before re-entering the main hall. I was able to enter right when doors opened at 6:00 p.m., as the venue team permitted participants with mobility impairments and their assistants to enter first. Countless people had been queuing outside long before each session, rushing in as soon as doors opened to secure seats, even though services were still half an hour away. After the 6th session concluded, the entire Penang team gathered at the lobby near the Lost and Found counter for group photos and videos with our state and national flags. Groups from other regions and countries were doing the same. I wasn't sure if everyone from our delegate list made it, as parents had to trek to the opposite building to pick up their children from the Kids Conference, and several members were volunteering there as well. Once photos were done, we headed back.
12th September 2026 (Saturday)	We woke up early to pack, eat breakfast, and check out. The final conference session—the only one scheduled for the last day—was set for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., allowing participants to travel home immediately after lunch. Checking out required extra coordination: we needed to place the house key and access card back inside the lockbox, lock the owner's mailbox, take confirmation photos, and send them to the host as proof. Lift traffic was heavy with residents and conference attendees. Every time we entered the lift, we met fellow Kingdomcity members. To get to Level 4 carpark, we had to board lifts going up first, because descending lifts were completely packed by the time they reached our floor—a real challenge given our luggage and my rollator! When the lift reached Level 4, we missed our window to exit, so we had to ride it all the way down to the ground floor and back up again. When Elizabeth stepped out at Level 4, an impulsive thought struck me: instead of following her to the car, I decided to take the lift back down to the ground floor and wait for her there. Elizabeth was surprised by my sudden plan, but I rode the lift down, letting it transport other passengers along the way. While waiting on the ground floor, I browsed the convenience store for lunch options. Once again, I bought two Quick Bites Cream Rolls (which I ended up eating on the bus before our 3:00 p.m. departure). Sadly, because of my lingering cough, I couldn't treat myself to junk food or cold drinks. I sat in the waiting area near the mailboxes, and Elizabeth met me a few minutes later. Together, we safely deposited the key and access card and headed to the convention centre. At the venue, we asked a RELA officer for permission to park close to the hall. He kindly moved the traffic barriers so we could pull into an open space right near the building. Elizabeth helped load my luggage onto our designated Penang charter bus, which had arrived early at 10:00 a.m. for luggage storage. She then returned to her car, and we entered the main hall together through an accessible side entrance. My seat was located right near that side exit. I thanked Elizabeth deeply for everything over the past three days. Saying goodbye felt bittersweet—she even asked if I could stay one more day to attend the Sunday service in KL before returning to Penang. I apologized that I couldn't, as much as I would have loved to, since my bus transport was already fixed. She came to find me one last time after the service ended, accompanied me to the accessible restroom, and handed me over safely to Auntie Gullie, who walked with me to the bus. All seven sessions of the conference were deeply empowering. The pastors and leaders delivered powerful, awakening messages. I had initially worried I wouldn't fully grasp the native English-speaking preachers—especially when point delivery was mixed with fast-paced humor, given that my English listening and speaking skills are my weaker language areas compared to reading and writing. I had brought earphones as a backup to listen to the Bahasa Indonesia live translation stream, but to my delight, I understood every sermon clearly without help! My English comprehension had clearly improved. I was sad that I had briefly fallen asleep during the 6th session sermon the previous night. The preacher and message were incredible, but physical exhaustion had caught up with me. Thankfully, that same pastor preached again during the final Saturday session! The presence of God was so tangible and intense during that final service that I couldn't stop praying in tongues. I found myself speaking boldly in the Spirit like never before. Every year at the conference, Kingdomcity launches its upcoming Greenhouse courses and announces the location for the following year's gathering. Before arriving this year, I had privately told myself that this would be my last time attending—that the physical hassle and logistics for myself and those helping me were simply too great. But being there changed everything. My heart immediately looked forward to the next gathering, and I registered for the 2027 Kingdomcity Conference that very Sunday at the special conference rate. I no fear long travel days on our church-booked buses because our community is so supportive. Having traveled extensively during my university days at USM and my early career years, I am accustomed to long journeys, and I thank God for giving me physical bladder control during hours of road travel. I am so grateful to everyone on our Penang bus, especially those who offered physical assistance along the way. Special thanks go to Vanessa, who sat beside me during both legs of the journey. She even accompanied me in a Grab ride all the way to my doorstep before heading to her own house. When I posted in our bus WhatsApp group on Friday evening asking if anyone wanted to share a Grab from e-Gate on our return, she immediately agreed. I had been worried about arriving late at night and causing my mother distress over me taking a Grab alone with heavy luggage in the dark.
13th September 2026 (Sunday)	The conference was transformative, and we all returned home carrying a fresh spiritual fire. The very next day, I attended both the 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. services at our Penang campus. Both services were preached by a visiting pastor who had traveled straight from the KL conference to Penang before flying back to his home country. I didn't want to miss a single opportunity to hear the Word while the fire was burning brightly within me. During his sermon, I was deeply moved and re-convicted of my calling to keep writing and sharing my life stories. He reminded us that our testimonies are powerful when we share our scars rather than trying to hide them—because our scars demonstrate the healing power and grace of God.

Finding Strength in Faith: My Journey to the Kingdomcity KL Conference 2026 (Part III)

9th September 2026 (Wednesday)	My three-day leave began. However, I visited the USM medical center (Pusat Sejahtera) because my cough had worsened. The doctor mentioned that seasonal haze was causing respiratory issues—I realized my throat had started feeling bad after a walk at the USM stadium the previous Friday. The doctor issued a two-day medical certificate (MC) for a swollen throat and heavy phlegm. I informed my boss, clarifying that I still intended to attend the conference as planned. At home, my mum’s state of mind grew increasingly disorganized when she realized I was leaving. She kept asking about her daily medication, despite the clear Chinese labels ("Morning" and "Night") I had placed on her pill packets. She expressed fear about being alone and disappointment that she couldn’t come along. (She suffers from severe motion sickness, so traveling long distances wasn't an option for her.) What enemy scheme was trying to stop me from attending the conference and spending three days with God? At one point, overwhelmed by stress, I had an emotional breakdown and cried, offering to cancel my trip to stay with her. Surprisingly, after my outburst, my mum calmed down and became much more supportive. She helped fold my clothes and pack my bag. Before leaving, I wanted someone to pray over my mum. May offered to lead a prayer when she arrived. We invited my mum into May's car, where May prayed in English for her peace of mind, safety, and routine while I was away. After the prayer, May walked my mum safely back to the lift. A wave of relief washed over me as we drove away. I fully surrendered my mum into God's hands. When we arrived at May's house, I realized I had forgotten to pack sleepwear. Fortunately, I had packed pants with elastic waistbands. May kindly lent me a round-neck t-shirt for the trip. After a lovely home-cooked dinner prepared by May’s auntie, I got a restful night's sleep.
10th September 2026 (Thursday) 00:00 – 17:00	I woke up at 3:15 a.m., an hour before my alarm. Unable to fall back asleep, I lay in bed reviewing WhatsApp updates and praying. Around 5:00 a.m., May brought me two Quick Bites cream rolls and helped me administer my cough syrup. John drove me to Dewan Sri Pinang, where many Kingdomcity members were already gathering. Our chartered bus departed promptly at 6:00 a.m. after an opening prayer. We picked up members on the mainland before heading straight to SCCC, stopping only for toilet breaks. The bus leaders provided bread and mineral water, and we arrived safely at the venue just before the 1:00 p.m. opening session. I placed my luggage and carry bag on the seat of my four-wheeled rollator and pushed it along without much difficulty. Candy, one of our members, guided me from the drop-off point to the registration area to collect my wristband for the conference—which I should have collected earlier at our hub. I waited outside while Candy went in to pick it up using my phone number. After helping me put on the wristband, Candy explained that she had to leave me, as her two teenage sons needed her as well. The venue was packed, with around 12,000 registered participants, including roughly 1,000 children aged 2 to 12. The Kids Conference was held in a separate building, a long walk from Main Halls 1 and 2. There was also a dedicated auditorium for parents with children under two, featuring a live stream of the main hall proceedings. I was completely fine being on my own at the venue. In fact, that was what I wanted, especially since I had attended the past two years. I walked to the main entrance, where a volunteer usher welcomed and escorted me inside toward the designated seats on the left, somewhere in the middle of the hall. One or two seats in those rows were reserved for OKUs (persons with disabilities). Along the way, I was handed off from one usher to another, as they were assigned to specific sections of the massive hall. I felt a bit disappointed when I wasn't allowed to sit farther toward the front, even when I arrived early the next day. However, I learned that OKUs were advised to sit there because of its proximity to the exit, which was crucial for emergency safety. During the short break between the first two sessions, I ate my second Quick Bites Cream Roll, which Mei had bought for me while I stayed in my seat. I was sad that I couldn’t enjoy any cold, refreshing drinks sold at the venue because of my cough. How nice it would have been to have a cold drink, especially after all the rushing around! However, my health had to come first—especially since I was outstation and wanted to be physically capable of worshipping the Lord. I was completely comfortable sitting among people who were not from Penang and whom I didn't know. Though we were strangers—perhaps even from different countries—we shared a sense of love, humanity, and the same Kingdomcity culture.
10th September 2026 (Thursday) 17:00 – 18:30	Elizabeth and I first met at the Lost and Found counter beside the main entrance of the hall. She had been walking up and down searching for me earlier without success until we finally spotted each other at the counter. We agreed that the counter would be our designated meeting spot after the last session for the next two days. I didn't want to cling to her for the entire day, as I wanted her to have time to connect with her own friends. She guided me out to the roadside where RELA officers were stationed, and I waited there while she went to take her car. We planned to go to our booked apartment to check in during the one-hour window before the third session started at 6:30 p.m.  When we reached the apartment building, we struggled to figure out the check-in procedure and where to park. Elizabeth went to retrieve the key from the owner's mailbox while I sat in the car waiting for her. After opening the mailbox, she found a small steel lockbox inside. Having no idea what the passcode combination was, she brought the lockbox back to the car. We called Auntie Gullie to help us contact the owner. It was completely different from checking into a standard hotel. I realized then that I shouldn't have taken things for granted. Auntie Gullie had actually forwarded all the check-in guidelines to me while we were on the bus, but I had only glanced at the PDF and forwarded it to Elizabeth, expecting her to handle everything. I had forgotten how Auntie Eileen and I checked in when we shared a studio two years ago; back then, Auntie Eileen and I moved around using Grab, and I handled all the ride bookings. (In truth, I should probably address Elizabeth as "Auntie" as well, since she is about the same age as Auntie Gullie and Auntie Eileen!) I looked closely at the PDF instructions again and noticed a second 4-digit code after the first one failed. Elizabeth turned the combination dial digit by digit to match the new code, and the box finally unlocked! She retrieved the single key and access card before returning the lockbox to the owner's mailbox. Next, we had to drive around searching for the specific parking spot shown in the PDF diagrams. It was very confusing for first-time visitors like us to locate the right lot. After asking a security guard stationed at the entrance of a multi-level carpark, we learned our spot wasn't in the building—it was in the adjacent building next door. Once parked, we took the lift up and finally located our unit. I thanked God that I wasn't staying there alone; it would have been nearly impossible for me to operate the grill door's manual lock on my own from the outside. After resting for less than ten minutes, we had to hurry back to the Convention Centre. We were already running late, as the third session started promptly at 6:30 p.m., leaving us no time for dinner. I ate my last Quick Bites Cream Roll in the passenger seat while Elizabeth drove. I finished eating right as she dropped me off at the entrance before going off to park.
10th September 2026 (Thursday) 18:30 – 23:59	I walked as fast as I could into the hall just as the session began. An usher escorted me to an empty designated seat, and I joined the congregation in worship. I was so grateful I attended that third session. I had almost talked myself into skipping it while at the apartment because I felt so tired, and I had even considered asking Elizabeth if she wanted to skip it too. Thankfully, I kept that thought to myself. After the session ended, we bought lasagna and dim sum to bring back. They were selling lasagna and various other food items on a "Buy 1 Free 1" promotion at the end of the night. Back at the apartment, I had lasagna for supper before taking my medication. Elizabeth kindly helped administer my cough syrup—once before I slept and once again after breakfast the next morning.

To be continued tomorrow October 7th (Wednesday) at 8.00a.m.

Finding Strength in Faith: My Journey to the Kingdomcity KL Conference 2026 (Part II)

1st September 2026 (Tuesday)	At my office workstation, I drafted an appeal on a Word document to broadcast to all the Kingdomcity WhatsApp groups I was in. I introduced myself as someone who walks with a 4-wheeled rollator and shared my uncertainty about being able to attend the 3-day conference starting the following Thursday, 10th September. I wrote that I wasn't sure what God's plan was, but I asked if any female participant had a vacant bed for two nights and was willing to be my roommate and assistant. Alternatively, if anyone needed transportation to SCCC and wanted to have my bus ticket because they missed the booking deadline, they could contact me. I planned to bless someone with my ticket if I couldn't go. I also sent the message to several church friends and asked them to forward it along with my contact details.
2nd September 2026 (Wednesday)	No one reached out about the bus ticket. A few people mentioned potential accommodation, but nothing was confirmed, especially with an expected turnout of 15,000 people. Around 10:00 a.m., Aunty Gullie, who was also taking the chartered bus, offered to help me secure a double bed studio at Trefoil Setia Alam. I had stayed in that complex with another church member two years prior; it was just a 10-minute walk from SCCC. I began to believe that God really wanted me to be at the conference. However, I still needed a plan for the night before our departure (9th September), as our bus was leaving early in the morning at 6:00 a.m. from Dewan Sri Pinang. I didn't want to disturb my mum in the middle of the night to help me get ready and walk me down to wait for a Grab, as it might confuse her. (For days, she kept asking if I was staying overnight at church again.) I was also worried my protective mum wouldn't let me take a Grab alone so early, which might force me to cancel at the last minute. On 4th September, I messaged my brother to let him know I would be in KL from the 9th to the 12th, but mentioned I could still order brunch and dinner for our mum via GrabFood or Foodpanda. He replied that he would take mum out for dinner on Friday and bring her to his house. Knowing there would be a "Carrier Night" the evening before the conference, I initially assumed it would be held at our local hub, so I booked a twin room at the Red Rock Hotel for the 9th September. Later, I learned Carrier Night would only be live-streamed from KL, as many leaders were already there. Even so, I was fine with the hotel booking since I was familiar with Red Rock and visited it weekly for church services. By 9:00 p.m., Aunty Gullie successfully secured the double bed Trefoil studio for RM340 for two nights. She assured me she would be there to help me check in.
6th September 2026 (Sunday)	I still hadn't received any offers for a roommate or assistant in Setia Alam, nor had I asked anyone to share my room at Red Rock Hotel on Wednesday night. I reasoned that if I stayed at Red Rock alone, it would serve as a test run before staying alone at Setia Alam—a completely new experience for me. At the same time, the thought scared me. Because of my moderate Cerebral Palsy, I require assistance with certain daily activities. I began overthinking every detail: What daily tasks can I manage alone? What should I avoid? How do I move safely in an unfamiliar environment? What if I trip or get stuck while rushing to check out and catch the bus? “God,” I prayed, “Who are You assigning to be my assistant and roommate this time? Are You trying to build my confidence to stay out on my own?” After the 5:00 p.m. service, I remained in my seat, wondering if I should ask someone to pray for me. I saw Brother JJ praying for people at the front. After a while, I got up and walked toward the door. But before asking someone to help me step down from the hall, I turned around, walked to the front, and sat down to wait for JJ to finish. When he was free, I shared my situation and prayer requests. Because of my speech impairment, JJ asked Kevin and Joel to join him so they could listen closely and understand. I asked them to pray for four things: That God would provide a roommate and assistant for my time in KL For someone to stay with me at Red Rock Hotel For my mum’s safety and peace of mind as she would be home alone For my health, as I had developed a dry throat and cough since Saturday, which often leads to mild breathing difficulties The three of them stood around me, took turns praying, and anointed me with oil. I felt so deeply cared for. Even though they were men, they understood my practical needs and worried for my safety due to my physical limitations. When I wondered aloud if I was really meant to go, they strongly affirmed that God wanted me at the conference. Their encouragement gave me renewed confidence. When I was having dinner at home, I reminded my mum that I would be leaving for KL in a few days. I had told her weeks before, but her short-term memory is very poor due to dementia. Everyday, she asks me what day it is dozens of times a day, alongside repeating fixed fears and beliefs. To minimize her anxiety, I decided to only remind her as the date drew near.
7th September 2026 (Monday)	I posted in the WhatsApp group for bus passengers, asking if any female participant wanted to share my room at Red Rock Hotel on Wednesday night and if anyone could give me a ride from the hotel to Dewan Sri Pinang on Thursday morning. No one replied. The next day after 2:00 p.m., Shirley, one of the bus leaders, messaged me privately to say everyone was taking individual Grabs to Sri Pinang and suggested I schedule an advance booking. Gathering my courage, I booked my first advance Grab ride—even though it cost significantly more than a normal ride—for the short trip to the departure point.
8th September 2026 (Tuesday)	I woke up around 5:00 a.m. After freshening up, I sat at my laptop and said a simple prayer. At 5:40 a.m., twenty minutes before our weekly Kingdomcity Asia Revival Zoom Prayer Meeting, I drafted a message seeking a roommate and assistant. I began by apologizing for posting a personal request in the meeting chat, though the conference was the main prayer focus of the morning. I briefly introduced myself as someone who walks with a 4-wheel rollator and invited any willing sister to join me. Words flowed onto the screen effortlessly—an answer to Brother JJ’s prayer for God to give me the right words. I posted the message twice in the Zoom chat. With over 1,000 participants sending rapid chat messages, text scrolled off the screen quickly, but I trusted the right person would see it. After the meeting, as I prepared for work, an Indian woman named Anne came to mind. I knew Anne through my university friend, Kak Jameyah, who had introduced us when Anne organized a fashion event for persons with disabilities in Penang back in 2022 or 2023. We had reconnected at the 2024 Kingdomcity Conference and realized we attended the same church. Once I arrived at my office, I felt prompted to text Anne to see if she was attending the conference and available to stay with me. Anne replied that she was only attending the first day and couldn't stay over, but she offered to ask a friend from the KL prayer team. Within 40 minutes, Anne brought good news: her friend Elizabeth was available! Anne created a group chat to introduce Elizabeth and me. God had provided my assistant for the year. The only remaining issue was my stay at Red Rock Hotel on the 9th. Around 11:30 a.m., I texted May to ask if she was in Penang and wanted to stay with me at the hotel. At 4:00 p.m., May replied and invited me to stay at her house instead! She offered to pick me up after work, have dinner together, and have her son John drive me to Dewan Sri Pinang the next morning. She advised me to forfeit the hotel booking (around RM140 including tax). At first, I was reluctant to change my plans. Since I had booked the room last Thursday, I planned to check in as early as possible—from 2:00 p.m.—to enjoy some me-time. I pictured getting snacks from the convenience store on the ground floor, ordering my favorite food via Grab, and eating my snacks while relaxing on the bed. After thinking it over, I agreed with Mei. I canceled the advance Grab ride from Red Rock Hotel to Dewan Sri Pinang that I had booked two hours earlier. I then WhatsApped my hotel booking ticket to Jumie, asking if she wanted to stay there or pass it along to anyone who might. I told her to just forget about it if no one was available. Late that night, she messaged to let me know the ticket had been given to someone who was taking leave on Thursday. In a single day, following the 6:00 a.m. prayer meeting, every single logistical need was met.

To be continued tomorrow October 6th (Tuesday) at 8.00a.m.

Finding Strength in Faith: My Journey to the Kingdomcity KL Conference 2026 (Part I)

13th September 2025 (Saturday)	May was sitting beside me inside Halls 1 & 2 of the Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC), together with thousands of people worshipping God and encountering His presence. May had been with me for the past three days. She and her son, John, picked me up from my apartment at Jelutong, Penang Island, on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and drove straight to KL for the Kingdomcity Conference 2025, where the very first session began at 1:00 p.m. John picked us up after the third session ended past 9:00 p.m. We dropped John off at their apartment before heading to the Courtyard Hotel, where we stayed for two nights—thanks to May’s client, who sponsored our stay. It was the final session of the conference, scheduled to end at 1:00 p.m., and I was set to travel back to Penang at 3:00 p.m. with a group from Kingdomcity Penang on a chartered bus. May mentioned that she had already registered for the Kingdomcity Conference 2026 and encouraged me to register as well. She expressed her happiness and willingness to stay with me and be my helper again for the next conference. I registered by 11:59 p.m. on 14th September 2025 at the Special Conference fee of RM80.00. The fee would increase to the super early bird rate of RM120.00 starting 15th September. I felt deeply relieved and thankful to be registered for our annual conference, knowing I had a helper and roommate lined up a full year in advance.
1st May 2026 (Friday)	Kingdomcity Penang held our Northern Family Camp at our hub on Level 1 of the Red Rock Hotel, starting with a Hollywood Theme Dinner on Thursday, 30th April, at 6:00 p.m. and running until 12:00 noon on 2nd May. I booked a room at the Red Rock Hotel and was delighted when May accepted my invitation to stay with me for the two nights despite her heavy workload. During our conversation, she brought up the upcoming conference, mentioning that she hadn't booked our accommodation yet but would do so soon.
31st July 2026 (Friday)	I sent May a WhatsApp message asking if she had booked our accommodation for the conference, which was scheduled on the second week of September. I also asked if I could travel to KL and back with her. She replied that she would get back to me over the weekend because she was busy with work. However, I didn't receive any further update. I stayed relaxed, thinking she was simply caught up with work and had forgotten to reply. After all, there was still a month and a half to go. Soon, I forgot about it too, immersed in my own work responsibilities and caring for my mum.
18th August 2026 (Tuesday)	I sent May another WhatsApp message letting her know that I had reserved a seat on the bus chartered by Kingdomcity Penang to travel directly between Penang and SCCC. My message went unanswered.
26th August 2026 (Wednesday)	After work, I took a Grab to church for our Global Prayer Night starting at 7:30 p.m. It was also the first day of our 10-day prayer and fasting leading up to the KL Conference 2026 (scheduled on 10th–12th September). I bought a chocolate Quick Bites cream roll and a can of Milo from the convenience store on the ground floor of the Red Rock Hotel before going up to the first floor where our church is located. While having a light dinner in the church pantry, Philo, who was eating a simple meal, asked about my plans for the conference. She reminded me it was just two weeks away and advised me to call May directly instead of relying on text messages to confirm our accommodation.
27th August 2026 (Thursday)	I sent May a friendly greeting on WhatsApp, hoping to hear from her. A couple of hours later, she replied that she had been extremely tied up with work over the past few months and promised to give me an update by the end of the week.
30th August 2026 (Sunday)	I took a Grab to church around 2:00 p.m. Along with my regular lunch bag, I brought a backpack containing a jacket, a Greenhouse t-shirt, long pants, and my travel toiletry kit. I planned to stay at church for the entire 24-hour prayer challenge, which was set to begin at 7:00 p.m., right after the 5:00 p.m. service. When the 3:00 p.m. Mandarin service ended, I went down to the convenience store to buy two Quick Bites cream rolls and two cans of Milo—one set for dinner and the other for breakfast the next day. While waiting in the room for the prayer challenge to start, I checked my phone and saw a new message from May. Hearing that she wouldn't be attending the conference was heartbreaking. Disappointment washed over me and unpleasant thoughts began filling my mind. I worried I won't be able to join the 500+ people from Kingdomcity Penang heading to KL. I hated the thought of missing my one annual trip out of Penang Island—my chance to take a break from home and the daily strain of managing my mum's dementia and her persistent fears. Part of me felt like rebelling by skipping church for the next week or two just to hide my disappointment and avoid hearing everyone else’s excitement. I quickly caught myself. No, I will not act childishly. I loved my church family and didn't want to miss Sunday services. I began trying to figure out how to find an assistant cum roommate on such short notice so I could still go. I tried to stay calm and focused on prayer, determined to stick to my plan of spending the next 24 hours at church. I hoped my body would hold up through the overnight prayer, especially since I was on my period and maintaining a simple fast of two light meals a day. I was relieved that it arrived on time so I wouldn’t have to deal with it during Conference week, when using unfamiliar bathroom facilities would be much harder. Still, when it started on Saturday morning, I wondered why it couldn't have waited until right after the 10-day fast, or at least until after this 24-hour prayer challenge. Fortunately, the flow had slowed down by the time the prayer challenge began. I still held on to the hope that a miracle might happen.
31st August 2026 (Monday)	I stayed in the prayer room until 3:00 a.m., although I fell asleep a few times. On the night of the 30th, I took only one of my two anti-depression medications, skipping the one that usually makes me drowsy so I could stay awake for prayer. (I never skip my medication unless it's for something like this or an urgent work deadline.) Later, I went to the Family Worship Auditorium to sleep on the carpeted floor. Before sleeping, I typed out a message and sent it to two or three Kingdomcity WhatsApp groups, explaining that my assistant was unable to attend and asking if anyone had a spare bed and was willing to assist me. I woke up around 6:00 a.m. and lay there for a while before returning to the prayer room, sitting through the 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. session. Afterward, I asked Philo, who was also staying at church for the full 24 hours, to accompany me to the female washroom to freshen up and change. Around noon, I took another hour or two of rest in the auditorium before returning to the prayer room until the event concluded at 7:00 p.m. By the end of the day, I still hadn't received any responses to my message.

To be continued tomorrow October 5th (Monday) at 8.00a.m.