Returnees Night

Yesterday marked the end of the uni semester, and our final Flinders OCF meeting of the year --- the long - awaited Returnees Night ... A time of celebration for the year that passed, a time of reminiscence and nostalgia, and a time of commissioning the returnees (graduates) as they prepared to return to their home countries.

There were smiles and laughter as we watched a slideshow featuring pictures of the returnees, prepared by li'l Esther, which brought back treasured memories for many of us.
(And speaking of photos, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am now in possession of a camera but without a memory card... Will have to do without photos for now, although I did feel slightly handicapped without a camera in my hand that day :)

Many of them shared their experiences and lessons learnt during their stay in Adelaide, giving pearls of wisdom, and speaking words of encouragement.
Vanessa then spoke and expounded on Micah 6 : 8 (another of my life verses :) , and it was eye-opening to see so many more aspects to it ...

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6 : 8

May we do our best to live by these principles... not just the returnees, but all the rest of us too...

So, we celebrate the closing of this chapter, and the opening of an exciting new chapter in their lives. They'll be missed very much :) but no matter where they go, and no matter where they'll be, we can also find joy in knowing that we will always be held close by a bond that transcends all things ...


Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.


' Blest Be The Tie That Binds ' - John Fawcett



May each and every one of us live out the purposes and calling that God has for our lives...