Contributed by Jeff Lim • Jul 4, 2023
As I reflect on the Big Idea: Many Generations, One Faith, One Community, I have the following observations about myself:
- I belong to a Micro-generation called Xennials (1977-83). I am among the last of the Generation-X and the earliest Millennial. Hence, I find that I only get along with people whose ages are between 30 to 60 years old.
- I do not have Intergenerational friends. Again, my friends are between 30-60 years old. I have difficulty communicating with those below 25 and my father’s age (70 plus). I am trying to but often feel out of place with the younger generation as we do not have common topics of interest. As for those who are above 70s, I have experienced the “I eat salt more than you eat rice,” rejection.
- During the recent DUMC Alpha Weekend Away (AWA), these barriers were broken. We were given the opportunity to mingle outside our regular weekly vulnerable group so I got to meet and make new friends. We were also placed in different teams during the icebreaker session. The teams had to be united in playing the “stacking cups” game. Besides that, people were more open to being vulnerable in their sharing during the AWA, even the quiet people. We also prayed for one another. Our participants ranged from 20s to the 70s. We had great fellowship over lunch and dinner buffets. This was the 12th season since I joined Alpha, but the first Chinese season. Every episode left me in tears!
- I grew up with an absent father from toddler until 10 years old when my dad accepted Christ. Things changed as he quit smoking and swearing overnight. However, in the early years, I was glad that I had my granny (57 years my senior) spoiling me, filling the absent father void. To communicate with my granny, I grew up speaking Penang Hokkien with a mixture of Bahasa Malaysia at home. She lived until 97 years old and went home with the Lord in January 2019. By hearing strangers of all ages speaking Penang Hokkien I feel excited to find my kaki lang and join their conversation easily!
