CCC Milson's Point (église bien-aimée) II: Je rends grâces pour vous#4

PROLOGUE To (More) Thanksgiving:

Is there anyone not reading this not saddened - however briefly - by the news of the Air France flight which last week so tragically did not reach its destination?

It was an Airbus A330, apparently, that went down somewhere in the ocean between South America and Europe.

Over the last few days I have watched the unfolding dramas with more than passing interest.

Why? .. Well, not that I’m at all worried about my eternal destination - except that the final leg of my trip (9 hours’ back to Sydney) will be on.. .. ..wait for it.. .. .. ..an Airbus A330.

! ! ! ! !

Before I leave, then (just in case my Qantas flight might go the same way as that doomed Air France one), I’d better make sure I’ve told every one of you how thankful I am to God for having known you.. .. ..and so I pick up where I left off - acknowledging more Christian sisters & brothers of Chinese Christian Church, Milson’s Point.

To EVERYBODY at CCC 5pm Houseparty, 2009:
* I was going to visit just one day.. ..
.. ..but I loved being with the community so much on my first visit, I ended up coming back for more on Sunday & staying over until home-time (Monday PM)!!
* I was so encouraged just to SEE and to BE (Louisa’s getting sick of me saying this).
It was nice just to SEE you all, & to BE there with you all, even if I didn’t have the chance to chat or catch up with many of you.
* I’m so thankful to God for the great joy of sharing a weekend with you all - the laughing, the crying, the silliness, the seriousness.
I haven’t had so much fun in a long time!
* And to my appointed Guardian Angel - that mystery “encouragrette” - praise God for your timely & continuous words/acts of kindness. It kept the warm fuzzies going!!

:D

Now, let me rewind back one year, to the house-group I studied the Bible with in 2008:

[An open letter.]
DEAR 2008 “Draquilians”,

Just as with my newest Bible study group, I thank God for all of you - for the warm & open fellowship with you that I was blessed to participate in last year. Your support, prayers, kindness and tolerance through a devastating period of my life were SO much appreciated.

Especially to Eva, Lynette, Maryann, Mel, Rebecca, Sandy & Theresa - you are all absolutely gorgeous sisters in Christ; those brief but intense times of girls-only sharing will not be forgotten!

*HUNTER, A. ..Your input & listening ear, at a time of great personal sadness for both of us, were of profound worth. Wish you hadn’t had to go - I’m sure life would have been much more interesting if you’d stayed. PSALM 27:13-14

*CHNG, C.,
& WONG, K. ..Brothers, the many questions you came up with about passages of & ideas in Scripture always kept me on my toes during group time. Keep seeking more understanding of God’s Word! 2 PETER 3:18

*LEE, E. & S. ..The compassion & concern you’ve so often showed, right up to the present time, I see as a testimony to the grace of God. I always enjoy talking over big & small issues with you both & have appreciated your forbearance when I may not have been at my most reasonable. May you both continue to live by & depend on the Spirit. ROMANS 8:9-16

*WANG, J. ..I was encouraged by how promptly you became a regular part of our Bible study group & how willing you were to learn more. 1 JOHN 3:1

*LOH, L. ..It was heartening to see your openness shown in those many candid discussions we used to have while heading home at night after Bible study had ended. How I miss those car trip chats!! 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24

*MAK, M. & E. (with Imogen & Harmony) ..We have had a long association through youth group & KYLC/“nextgen”, & it has never failed to be constructive! I always enjoy the time I can now spend with your little girls, as well as the engaging discussions & debates we’ve been party to for a number of years. COLOSSIANS 3:17-24

*O’YOUNG, M. ..God’s kindness last year in allowing us to talk more often, & on more deep issues than in previous years, was a marvellous gift. I valued your willingness to share so honestly & openly all the time. HEBREWS 10:24-25

*YEOH, R. ..To think that I was once your teacher (Sunday School, ’97-’99 - how time flies!). And now we’re both *real* teachers! (Or, at least, have got teaching qualifications.) Over the last 12 years, it has given me a real buzz to see you grow in Christ, & I pray that might continue! COLOSSIANS 1:9-14

*LU, S. ..You were with us only part of the year, but those few months were a blessing & it was great to be reminded of our unity with you & other Christians across oceans & continents. EPHESIANS 2:14-18.

*CHAN, T & S. (with Hannah) ..Last year’s group was a unique opportunity to get to know you better, Theresa in particular; moreover, the contributions you both made to Biblical discourse so often challenged me to think outside the square - priceless! COLOSSIANS 3:17-24

*NG, T. ..Over 3 years of being in the same house-group - including “da Artarmon” one under Teresa & Dan - I have often seen & rejoiced in your enthusiasm for Biblical truth. It has also been a comfort perceiving your ability to see things in black & white, to be willing to question or to challenge what you’ve heard rather than accepting it without critical thought. ROMANS 15:13

What a group. What lovely people God teamed me with last year (as well as this year). I deserved none of this - but what a generous Father!

:)

Next on the honours list - the members of my 2006-2007 Bible Study group (“da Artarmon” housegroup, as we affectionately called it).

J’espère à retourner ici le plus tôt que possible!