A game-themed barbecue event brought out the best in a group of youth.
Contributed By Lim Yixuan and Samuel Lau
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| PHOTO: Jessy Zhang |
On Nov. 27, a barbecue event known as “Big Beauty Quest,” for which the acronym was understandably B-B-Q, was held in Punggol Park from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with approximately 60 participants. Organized by a team of students from the YK Zone in City Harvest Church, this event was the result of laborious weeks of planning, prayer meetings and dry runs to ensure that everyone would have a great time of fun and lively interaction.
Church members and friends were divided into teams, and performed in a dance showdown to determine which team would get a head start in the games. The dancers showed off their moves, wowing the crowd with their flair for dance as they cavorted to the music.
The Big Beauty Quest required participants to be involved in a myriad of activities ranging from Human Foosball to water bombs and gobbling down bread without using their hands. Human Foosball was adapted from the classic game of table football, also known as foosball, except in this case, the players were physically involved in directing the motion of the ball.
Shrieks and laughter came from the “Bread On A String” station, where teams braved through layers of peanut butter and spreads to chomp down bread. The other stations also served to provide a platform for inclusive banter and discussion between new friends as they pitted their skills against the challenges. The participants displayed different talents and abilities, and stepped out of their comfort zones in confidence as they stepped up to the various tasks.
The ultimate aim of the event, however, was to redefine beauty through the creation of edible masterpieces. With fresh chicken parts, each group had to participate in a battle of wits (and creativity) to conceive and assemble the most physically attractive “masterpiece,” to be subsequently barbecued. Adornment and embellishments in the form of spices, squid tentacles and sausages could be purchased using coupons collected from the activities in order to, literally and figuratively, spice up the dish.
With teamwork and aesthetic appeal as the judging criteria, the teams were challenged to work with their limited food resources, with the understanding that even without perfect conditions and ingredients, with the right attitude and effort, success could be achieved. The panel of judges deliberated over the creations and crowned the winning team.
Jonathan Gui, 16, remarked on the fellowship that the event brought about, saying, “The event achieved what it sought to do—bond the cell group members and integrate the new friends. The food further fueled the atmosphere of togetherness; we were like a big family, laughing, eating and roasting marshmallows over the fire.”
Many considered the event a success, as it welcomed people from all walks of life and provided an opportunity for members to step out of their comfort zones in serving others.
Wong Chee Kuen, 14, summarized the event, stating, “To me, the event was really successful and enjoyable, not just because of all the games but also the fellowship between the members and new friends. The atmosphere was very lively. As we continued with the barbeque when the sky got darker, we were still as excited as when it first began!”
Big Beauty Quest imparted an exciting and valuable lesson to every participant—that it is not just the outward that matters, but the determination, teamwork and unity that stirs the inner beauty from within.
