Shalom and love of Abba Father be with all of you. As I take my step on a new chapter of my life, I would like to express my deep appreciation to College General for giving me this opportunity to share a few words on this page.

It’s been 17 months of my journey in College General and I’m blessed to say that I’ve experienced a unity of ‘one big family’ of God. When I newly joined College General I was requested to write an article for the Annual College General, Sinaran Magazine 2008. I was drawn to this verse taken from Psalm 37:23 which says, ‘ The steps of a man is ordered by the Lord’. It is ironic that as I bid farewell this verse leaves a significant meaning in my life too. My journey to this ‘little corner of heaven’ was also paved by the Lord.

Personally for me, working in College General was an experience of life, journeying on a spiritual voyage. As I look back, it felt like a journey on a ship exploring the beauty and gifts of the Lord … the love of God personified. Whether rising with the crest or descending with the troughs, I am learning to grasp tightly with faith that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Regardless, the tide of waves in our lives, HE will bring us back safely to the shore.

As I sailed along the vast sea, I embraced the love of God through Bishop Soter Fernandez, who shared his heart like a gentle ‘wheel’ which constantly steered the ship with love, comfort and reassurance. Your caring ways always brought to mind my safe journey to the shore. Thank you, Bishop for sharing the gift of God’s love. Fr. Edwin Paul, I would like to thank you for taking the role of a radiant ‘lighthouse’ during the voyage. You were like a ’sea guardian’, assuring us the Lord’s beacon of light . Your constant guidance and encouragement magnified the shoreline and the direction to safe harbour. Fr. Gerard Theraviam, thank you for all your support and encouragement. You were a great pillar of strength and you brought to mind the role of a majestic ‘mast’ for the ship. Thank you for believing in the sound of music and most of all you brought life to the sound of waves and winds throughout the journey.

My dear seminarians, you are like a box of precious jewels to me, constantly radiating God’s light and you shine in so many beautiful ways. Thank you for taking the role of the united ‘lines’ that holds the sail gently directing the ship according to the movements of the wind. Simon Anand, you are a constant reminder of the line of ‘courage’. Your perseverance gives you a greater understanding of the needs of the community. May HE guide you each step of the way. Gregory Chan, you hold together the line of wisdom. Your deep understanding of your journey opens the doors for community sharing and growing. May you continue to be a great instrument of God’s kingdom. Anthony Liew, you are the line of ’strength’. As you continue your journey may you be filled with inner strength to reach out and spread the Good News of our Lord. Your talents are God’s gift to you, and as you continue to share, it is your gift back to God. David Kathamuthu, you hold the line of leadership. May HE continue to give you the wisdom and understanding. Faith makes all things possible. Joachim Robert, you hold together the line of peace …. peace like a river. May HE bless you with divine peace so that you can continue to share it with one another. Peace is a reward of faith and trust. Kevin Eruthayanathan, you bring together the line of love. Your caring ways are a gesture of HIS love. May HE bless you with the kind of love that binds everything together in HIS precious name. James Pitchay, may you continue to hold the line of hope. As you rise above all, that on the wings of prayer, HE will be your constant strength. Louis Loi, may you hold on closely to the line of joy. As you share HIS joy with one another, may you continue to drop a splash of cheer and kindness to many bearing hope, joy and comfort on each dashing wave. Dear seminarians, your teamwork and community sharing are the ‘lines’ holding on tightly to the heart strings of the sail …. each needing the other to poise the strength of the sail.

Sathiya A., thank you for taking the role of an ‘anchor’, strongly holding the ship in position. I admire your strength, zest and commitment towards your role. You have been a great support and I cherish my working moments with you. My sincere thanks to all formators, priests, staffs, lecturers and many more who added so much love and joy in this amazing voyage.

This journey has taught me to look beyond, to see the world from the mind of God in HIS abounding sea of love and mercy. Each day as I awaken to a new sunrise, sunset, each horizon and every rainbow … I realize that we are blessed to embrace a brand new day painted with splashes of colours from HIS loving hands.

Always know that ‘when we are weak, we are strong, because then our strength can be made perfect in our weakness.’ I have learned that we can open our hearts to any voyage that God is calling us to. As we journey this intimate self-discovery with HIM, we will realize that by God’s sustaining grace, we can really endure, that we are really strong and that we really do have worth.

Thank you, College General …… for being an instrument in bringing these words alive! God’s blessings be upon all of you.

- By Evlyn Ambrose -