A Home Away From Home: An Avondale Initiative
Kate Lon Ho Kee
Published
I have so many fond memories from my first year at Avondale University: Variety Hour, worships in the residence and, of course, the making of cherished friendships!
Moving from Shepparton, Victoria, to Cooranbong, New South Wales, has been a success, but I remember having some difficulty adjusting to this new environment. That was until Avondale University Church opened its loving community to me…
The church introduced Home Away from Home, an initiative that connects students who are far from home to local families. The families invite the students into their homes to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal. Living 10 hours from home, one of the things I miss most is my parents’ cooking, so I jumped at the opportunity to go!
I accepted an invitation to the Gungadoo household. Hensley and Esadora welcomed and fed all Victorian students – from Melbourne to Mildura to Shepparton!
Almost 30 of us squeezed into the Gungadoos’ backyard on a sunny Sabbath afternoon to share a scrumptious meal of curries, rice, garlic bread and pastries. I met new friends and bonded further with others, and by the end, both my stomach and soul were full!
I’ve been raised to know that Seventh-day Adventism thrives on its welcoming nature; it’s something I’ve experienced throughout my childhood, early adulthood, and now, as a student at Avondale. I am accepted and cared for by my church family!
Serve God and Others
Studying Ministry and Theology at Avondale means deepening spiritual understanding; receiving personalised support; developing practical skills, and balancing life and study with flexible, online or on-campus classes.
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