Santhosh family citizenship ceremony August 2017

Our lovely Abigail spoke on behalf of her family at their Citizenship Ceremony at the Rotorua District Council early in August. Her beautiful speech is below, she made a great job of it! We are so proud of her.

​“Good afternoon to all.
Today is a day of great joy for me and my family as we are receiving the NZ citizenship. Firstly I thank the almighty god for giving us this opportunity. Also I thank NZ and its leadership for what it has done for me and my family.
We came from India to NZ in 2008. My mom came here first as a student. My dad and me joined mom three months later. I was only 2 years old at that time.
We love NZ so much because of its beautiful nature, respectable culture, healthy lifestyle, clean air, peaceful and tolerant society and authorities.
God blessed our life here in many ways. Four days after we came to NZ my dad got a full time job as a mechanic. My mom and dad had a very humble beginning in Rotorua. My mom was working as a healthcare assistant in a rest home. But today after nine years we are blessed to have our own home and my mom and dad are in well-respected jobs. My mom completed her post-graduation studies and is working as a registered nurse at Rotorua Hospital.
In 2013 we were blessed with Hosanna who is my little sister. Hosanna is the first NZ citizen in my family because she was born in NZ.
On this occasion I would like to express our sincere thanks to 3 families – Uncle Alfred Chote and family, Uncle David Dawson and family and dad’s first employer peter Davis and family for their support, help and guidance when we first came to NZ.
The best thing I love in NZ is my school Chapman College and my Roosevelt Road Bible Church. The school family and the church family are a great support to us. They have shown me how to love and care for one another, forgive each other for their mistakes and respect each other.
I am proud of my school because of its bible based, Christ centred education focus and our motto is “act justly, love, mercy and walk humbly.”
My mom and dad are delighted and faithful Christians. By the grace of God we are receiving our third citizenship.
Firstly we are citizens of India.
Secondly we have received citizenship in heaven by believing in the gospel.
Thank you and God bless you all.”