Sabbatical - Third Stop - Kellyville, Sydney

Informix was a very special company to me as a young professional working in my first MNC of my career at least 18 years ago. It was such a unique organization that I know I would remembered it for life not just for the company but for the people I have met and grown together in that company. I was the youngest to be recruited then by the same boss. He recruited me although I have had zero knowledge of software or even Information Technology. It must have seemed very strange to all the colleagues then as I was super clueless about everything. Yet somehow you know without a doubt that God had placed me there for a purpose. Perhaps it is because I have always wanted to have bigger sisters and brothers in my life. Being born in January and being the eldest grandchild of the whole Teo Clan, I have never being placed in an environment where I could ever be the 'youngest' in terms of age and experiences.

In this special company, I did receive amazing blessings to know the people there and have grown to love over the years. There, I experienced contrary to everything I have heard about politics, a culture of love, support and open sharing. Politics were minimal which was rare of any MNCs. Christian faith was exhibited amongst all those who knew Jesus Christ! I was indulged with wisdom, love and 'protection' from the older sisters and brothers there even to this day. Two of those brother and sister had migrated to Australia. They spoke of it 18 years back and it happened before my eyes that they have courageously migrated to Australia with their families. So as the privilege little sister (even though I have crossed 40) who is the youngest amongst them, I was well taken of in this Third Stop when I arrived in Sydney.

Pope John Paul said, "Nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive." This willingness to give and receive was exhibited in this Third Stop as I witnessed the community I was in with our arrival from Perth to Sydney. My children received attention and encouragement whilst studying here in Sydney for an exchange. We received accommodation and meals from my brother and a car to transport us anywhere from my sister. When I told others they were my colleagues who were taking care of us in this foreign land, it was a shock to them. Do you really meet such colleagues in work, who give and receive from one another so graciously? I count myself blessed beyond measures to have this chance to live it out, I have the privilege to experience the truth of brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ.

Here in this Third Stop, I have enjoyed the many small gifts of life, the many graces: good meals, good friends, sending my girls to school, coaching them, reading books and completing them, attending different services, supporting food fair, going to Hill Song Conference together with family, walking dogs, watching movies, shopping and sightseeing.....  There are no stress or expectations at all in this Third Stop but for us to be prepared and to rest as much as we desire for the next Stops! Such graciousness to enjoy our stay and to REST. And I know my brother and sister and their family are still there for us so long we are here in Sydney. They are always present and never imposing, like our Father to us.

 

Thank you big brother and big sister and your family hosting us who have made this Stop such a delightful journey in this Sabbatical. We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves especially the presence of such treasured and rare friendships in this community of faith. I pray this special kinships will continue for the rest of our journey on earth, wherever we are ...



There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother/sister. (Proverbs 18:24 NLT)