Graduation
Its me again.
I am still warm from the Graduation ceremony held at the Phucome Hotel
up the canal road here in Chiangmai. I must say that I went from a
sense of duty and returned with feeling privileged to have gone.
We from the UK are not used to the Rite of Passage that is the
Commencement Ceremony and I do not know what it is like at regular
American Schools but this was an inspirational time of celebration and
sending-forth. It gave me a fresh affirmation of why Christian
Education is so important and why God called us here. We honoured the
students who, at the age of 18, are going out into all parts of the
World to study and, more importantly, to demonstrate the servant heart
of Jesus in giving what they have and the hope they carry. All 33 young
adults have a different set of abilities, dreams and destinies but all
went with the commission to serve God in all they do.
One of the highlights for me was the address given by a thai young
lady, Myrrh, the Valedictorian (highest achieving student). She
compared the values of the World with the values of the Kingdom and
exhorted her fellow students not to be tempted into accumulating but
always seek to give of themselves. She spoke with exceptional maturity
and strength of purpose and from her it had a passion of conviction
that challenged all present. It is she that initiated the ministry the
students perform in visiting the local AIDS orphanage every Saturday
and the English clubs run for Thai students where the good news is
shared. She is a leader of extraordinary humility whose actions speak
louder than her words.
I was so encouraged and proud to be part of a school that not only has
the highest ideals but puts them into practice and seeks to do so in
increasing measure. I am excited by what she and the other thirty-two
students will achieve after the nurturing, teaching, encouraging and
challenge that a school like Grace has given to them. I am delighted
and honoured to have played even a small part in that process and look
forward next year to continue the same.
Andrew.
June 10th, 2005 at 21:13
having had the great pleasue of visiting the orphange with a team led by Myrrh -it is good to see the comments about her encouragement to her fellow students. Myrhh is an inspiration, passionate a true leader of peers, a young woman clearly in love with God and his creation clothed in gentleness, but empowered by God and I beleive being prepared for great things. Thank you Andy and Esther for your nurturing of these young people, and enabling them to grow into Gods purposes