(AICS B.D. Proficiency Award winner 2007)
Andrew L Fanai 7th April 2007
Today, on this propitious occasion I really feel honoured for the venerable opportunity to give address on my behalf and on behalf of my graduating colleagues. In fact, I am lost at words to explicate our joy at the materialization of our long cherished dream which we nurtured since the day we set our foot into this college. Considering the challenges and the hardships ingrained with our theological journey makes this occasion extra special and gratifying for us. As I reckon and relish this contented moment I am also drown with emotion as I reminisced three of our batch mates who could not be with us today. We especially remember our cherished friend Vanlalzawma who had left us for the heavenly abode waiting for us. They were our friends and our classmates, yesterday, today and will always be.
I on my behalf and on behalf of my friends acknowledge our immense joy and pride for being a part of this wonderful mosaic AICS family and more importantly for being able to accomplish our course of study here in AICS. The first day we arrived here in AICS, the thought of three and half years seems like something beyond the blue, nevertheless, today as we stand at the threshold of completing our course of study, three and half years seems rather so young. To be honest, most of us did not have good background so to complete BD course was an enormous challenge for us both academically and economically. When I consider all these intricacies, I could figure out how difficult it would have been for our teachers to refine our raw and unrefined thoughts and concepts shaping us as if they were shaping nuggets of gold and making us what we are today. Well, it is interesting to bring to your notice that AICS is the place where we began and started to do many things which we had never done before. We started speaking in English, praying, playing games, singing, working, and even eating in English which in reality was never an easy thing for us.The challenges were enormous, and the journey was sporadic, yet we brave it all and here we are here today sharing with all of you our testimonies that we relished.
We are thankful to the Almighty God, who has been the tower of our strength, wisdom, knowledge and blessings.Standing here today is our testimony of God’s faithfulness, love, mercy, blessings and unceasing guidance we have experience in the course of our study here. We express our sincere gratitude to the Baptist Church of Mizoram for AICS and for the financial, mental and moral sponsorship rendered to us all through our studies. We also want to express our deep gratitude to our convocation speaker Rev. Dr. CL Hminga for sparing your valuable time to be our convocation speaker here today.
We expressed our unfathomable gratitude to our Principal Rev. Dr. K. Thanzauva, the present Vice-Principal Prof. Dr. R.L. Hnûni, all the faculties and all the staffs for your love and concern for us. Being cognizant of our limited potentiality has time and again deepened our conscience to appreciate the sacrifices you have rendered for our sake have made you extra special for us. For us you are more than just teachers. You are our mother, father, brother, sister and above our good friends. We are proud of you all because you have lead not by mechanical movements of lips but by your life examples which impressed us deeply. As the sun of our wonderful years is about to set, we would like to ask your pardon and your forgiveness for the unhealthy attitudes and activities we might have done against the authority of this college and against you personally deliberately or undeliberately. We pray that God will continue use you to be instruments of shaping responsible and accountable pillars for a better tomorrow of our society and our Churches and for God’s Kingdom.
We give due gratitude and thankfulness to all our student friends and the community here. Fellow students, with whom we share the same commitment, we are thankful for your friendship, prayer support and help. We are reminded of the memorable moments we shared, the fun we have had, and the fellowship we enjoy which we will jealously cherished in days and years to come. You have been an immense source of strength in our days of trials, sadness and failure and at moments when the road seems cloudy and impossible to navigate for us. We love you all and will miss you all. We wish you all the best in your studies and in your ministry. We are really grateful to you for the farewell gift. This gift will always remind us of your affection and love. We thank all the community members for what you have done for us throughout our stay here in AICS.
We would be failing in our duty if we failed to acknowledge our due gratitude for our wonderful families back in our homes for their undying affection concern and support at all times. The tears they have shed, the toils they endured the prayers they have prayed and the physical and moral support they gave in all aspects of our life meant so much for us. They are our source of inspiration and joy. We are thankful to them for just being there for us.We acknowledge the presence of our love and dear ones, friends and well wishers for making your valuable presence today. Your presence has indeed enriched this occasion in a special way. Thank you for coming.
Lastly, as we are leaving you dear friends, I would like to present all of you my favorite passage. Please join with me in your heart as I read it.
I can do all things through Him who strengthen me (Phil. 4:13)I have been experiencing the faithfulness of God as He is the best for me and he is the best for all of us other than any one else and any thing else all over the world. Let us put our trust in Him then he will never fail us and he will act.
Thank you.
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