Farewell Musings
The London news paper Mail Online has brought out an inspirational article written by Chris Hanlon about a terminally ill 17 year old teen from Australia, Shaun Wilson Miller. Shaun had been told by the doctors that he did not have too much time to live as his body had rejected his second heart transplant. Instead of becoming desperate, Shaun decided to post a goodbye speech to his friends on Facebook but due to some issues he posted it on You Tube and suddenly his farewell speech, as he battled life became one of the most sensational videos. His video has been viewed by more than 1.3 million times. In the video, one does not find any self-pity, but on the contrary Shaun encourages his friends to seize life and make most of ones life. He says "live life to the fullest because you never know what is going to happen". He continues to say that I hope I have left footprints in your hearts. I am not sure whether these words of Shaun is a faith statement. Today just like Shaun, but on a different front and context, I would also want to make a farewell meditation and a message with a hope that may be I have been able to make some imprints in your life, in the last three years of my ministry as I worked in the Diocese of North America and Europe as the Youth Chaplain of the South East Region.
As I leave the shore of United States, we as a family are indebted and truly thankful to the Lord for giving us an opportunity to serve Him in this wonderful land. From the day we landed till this day, we had wonderful experiences. My faith living has been moulded by one of the characters that I like in the Bible, the Old Testament character of Joseph. Joseph was an individual who went through the most diverse experiences of life. But in every experience and out of every experience he decided to learn something new in his faith living and also made conscious effort to express faith and morality in new and unique ways even in the most adverse situations. Even when his brothers became treacherous, or when Potiphar's wife made baseless allegations and even when he was condemned to prison, his faith was un-waverable. Finally when he is able to reconcile with his brothers he makes a faith statement which is recorded in Genesis 50: 20, where he states that " Am in place of God, You intend to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done the saving of many lives". For him every person, every experience whether good or bad made him wise and taught him invaluable lessons in faith living. I think even as I look back to the three years of my ministry here in United States, I want to thank the Lord because each one of you have given me wonderful memories to cherish, a beautiful relationship to behold and carry forward and a time of fellowship that will always be sweetly remembered. As I go back, I carry along with me wonderful lessons learnt, new tools and skills that I have been able to acquire and sharpen, so that the ministry that I am going to do in the future, is done with more commitment and passion.
I would like to inform you all that I take charge as the Director of the Diocesan Counselling Centre in Thiruvalla from May 7th, 2013. . I hope to see you all when you come to India and request you all to continue to uphold us in your prayers so that we continue to become channels for His glory. God bless you all.
Till we meet again, May God be with you all.
Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph Kuruvilla,
Youth Chaplain
Diocese of North America and Europe
"Acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and He shall direct our path" Proverbs 3: 6
As I leave the shore of United States, we as a family are indebted and truly thankful to the Lord for giving us an opportunity to serve Him in this wonderful land. From the day we landed till this day, we had wonderful experiences. My faith living has been moulded by one of the characters that I like in the Bible, the Old Testament character of Joseph. Joseph was an individual who went through the most diverse experiences of life. But in every experience and out of every experience he decided to learn something new in his faith living and also made conscious effort to express faith and morality in new and unique ways even in the most adverse situations. Even when his brothers became treacherous, or when Potiphar's wife made baseless allegations and even when he was condemned to prison, his faith was un-waverable. Finally when he is able to reconcile with his brothers he makes a faith statement which is recorded in Genesis 50: 20, where he states that " Am in place of God, You intend to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done the saving of many lives". For him every person, every experience whether good or bad made him wise and taught him invaluable lessons in faith living. I think even as I look back to the three years of my ministry here in United States, I want to thank the Lord because each one of you have given me wonderful memories to cherish, a beautiful relationship to behold and carry forward and a time of fellowship that will always be sweetly remembered. As I go back, I carry along with me wonderful lessons learnt, new tools and skills that I have been able to acquire and sharpen, so that the ministry that I am going to do in the future, is done with more commitment and passion.
I would like to inform you all that I take charge as the Director of the Diocesan Counselling Centre in Thiruvalla from May 7th, 2013. . I hope to see you all when you come to India and request you all to continue to uphold us in your prayers so that we continue to become channels for His glory. God bless you all.
Till we meet again, May God be with you all.
Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph Kuruvilla,
Youth Chaplain
Diocese of North America and Europe
"Acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and He shall direct our path" Proverbs 3: 6