Night of Stars

So I didn't actually said everything I wanted to say during the Night of Stars (someone must have sprayed some pepper spray coz my eyes started to itch and my voice broke apart) =) That kinda threw me off track and I forgot what I wanted to say. So here is the text of my speech and I hope it encourages you =)

Let me take you back 3.5 years ago. A fresh first year international student, very excited but not quite sure what to expect. Everything was foreign to me and the people were a lot whiter than what I'm used to back home. Finding a church that I could feel belong to was among the first few things that I set to do. Few weeks rolled by and I can't really say I found one. Somehow rather randomly I got connected with Claire. I remember that weekend, I experience my first hail storm the night before. That Sunday, I meet Claire for the first time and we walked to church, which that time was at Girl's High. It was a cold long walk with someone I've never meet before. I can truly say that, the moment I stepped into church, it felt right. I still remember the very first thing Pastor Bernhard said to me. He told me, "Welcome home".

And that's really what it has been. This has been a place I can call my home and each one of you, my family. It has been the best 4 years of my life, with so many memories that will stay with me forever. I'll remember all the camps and camping trips, fishing, the parties and gatherings, the late night talks and non stop laughter, but above all, the friendship and life we shared together.

I remember during one of our life group sessions last year, we were doing a study on wisdom. The ever so wise Ian said this, "The wisest and best decision I've ever made was to come to church". Of course that's where he found Aya, but I'm sure he'll agree with me that church isn't just a place to find the woman of your dreams (although it's a very good place to do that!) =). Being students away from home, each one of you has a choice to come to church or not. Nobody is here to make sure you attend church every Sunday. You might have another two or three years left at uni and it's totally up to you how you live it. For me, the best way to live it is by getting plugged in to the church and build good lasting relationship, not just attending church. God will then take you on an amazing journey. I can truly say that I've been blessed, more than I could ever imagine through the people I've meet here.

*I'll cut the thank you part =) All the best for exams guys