Connections Archive

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer

A buffalo, cupcakes and prayer featured prominently during Festival of Faith on Avondale College's Sydney campus this past week (August 4-8).

FUNDRAISING
Staff members and students raised $785--$100 more than they needed--to buy the buffalo from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency's Grant a Wish Gift Catalogue. The buffalo will give a vulnerable family in Nam Tit, Myanmar, the means to supplement their income and provide more farming opportunities. "The students named the buffalo, 'Troy,' in honour of our speaker, Troy Roberts," says Kristina Mazzaferri, current chaplain on the Sydney campus and sessional lecturer in the Faculty of Nursing and Health.

Troy, an Avondale graduate of 2006, is now assistant minister at Kellyville Seventh-day Adventist Church. Avondale Nursing Students' Association (ANSA) spiritual leader Mechelle Irvine says he proved popular with the nurses because of his focus on providing spiritual care for those who do not have a Christian faith.

HOSPITALITY
Three hundred cupcakes iced by the students and served before and after meetings also proved popular, but not just for the sugar fix. "The students took a great sense of pride in offering this type of hospitality," says Kristina. They also distributed handmade gifts-a magnet with Bible text, for example-related to the theme of each meeting. "It helped build community, and that's crucial on a campus where there are no assemblies or forums."

PRAYER ROOM
A Prayer Room provided solace, though. An interactive gratitude wall, an answer to prayer mobile, a Bible promise box and a prayer request corner took the place of the skeletons in the re-decorated "anatomy room" during the week. "The room had a certain atmosphere about it," says Mechelle. "Kristina and I were in there on the first day and found ourselves just whispering."

The festival also marked Lake Macquarie campus chaplain Dr Wayne French's first visit to the Sydney campus. He visited on Thursday with sports and recreation officer Harry Heale, who is also the new ANSA staff representative. "The students were happy to see them, especially the first years who have just experienced the cultural shock of moving from Cooranbong to Sydney," says Kristina.

She describes Mechelle and her team as committed, creative and inspired. "They led with integrity and responsibility."