Postcards
to Oxford

From Amanda,
Happy birthday Russell 🥳 really glad that I got to know you better before you fly off again . I rmb I was really scared of you at the first. Back then whenever I sat next to you, I would be praying for pastor to not say “tell the person sitting next to your left and right …..” but don’t worry I am not scared of you anymore hahahahah. I don’t think I will ever understand your physics jokes but I will try my best to laugh at it😊 also really admired how you always stand firm on what you believe in and staying true to yourself 👍🏻 we will miss while you’re gone 😢

From Chuan Yeow,
Happy birthday, Russell! 🎉🎂 It's been fun getting to see you around more when you're in SG! I can see that while you're busy maneuvering like a Hamiltonian through many places in life, you always put aside time to come Fellowship with us and begin to slowly unravel new dimensions of our CG aside from just quantum mechanics or NUS Wi-Fi network haha! Thanks so much for inviting us over to celebrate New Years together. God's working really strongly in you and as the 4th or 5th Generation of HOGC, I have no doubt that future generations will be empowered by people like you! Have an amazing Birthday!🎉

From Cristal,
happy birthday russell!! it’s been 5 whole years since we have known each other and you’re still as unhinged as ever LOL some things never change, but that’s also the fun and joy of friendship!!! glad to find a friend in you :) from the shopee jokes, all the random white gworl moments, the conversations you attempt to strike up even when you’re awkward w small talk, to the times that we get to grow in God tgt w the CG, i have seen how you’re growing to be more relational in different areas :) keep being yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone!! you’re a great friend to many and here’s to many more years in God tgr!

From Dinesh,
Britain colonised the world; like a colon, whatever they took in, they turned to shit. Russell! Happy birthday! Love dissing them Brits with ya! Truly, the common experience of that country has provided fodder for much banter. I’m glad that beyond the banter, we’ve conversed about the things that are significant too. Speaking of significant things, the next phase of life awaits you! There’s so much potential ahead of you and I believe God is going to release you into bigger places accompanied by greater measures of ease and favour. Seeing how you walk with confidence in your niche gifting and calling inspires and encourages me that being different isn’t a bad thing. Keep chasing God, and the greater thing God has prepared for you in the new season to come!

From Harini,
happy birthday russell!!! :)) used to be really intimidated by you in my jc days.. but it’s funny how we always end up in the same cg again and again hahahaha i think it was like fate or something for me to get to know you properly HAHAHA now we grow old together… i really respect that though you’re in and out of sg, your heart is never far from God and His house.. and whenever you’re back, it always feels like you never left. and i’ve seen how you’ve opened up bit by bit over the years to the ppl around you!!! i know you’ve a lot of substance in you,, so can’t wait to hear more from you :) thankyou for being a gr8 friend to siva too!!! hope you have a happy celebration in sg before you leave and find something memorable to do on the day of your bday as well! love, sriharini

From Ivan,
Happy birthday Russell! Thank you for always caring for others and being the funny dude in the group :) I pray that God will continue to use you to impact lives! Excited to get to know u better and have a happyy birthday!!

From Keryn,
happy birthday russell!!! dont know you that well but always very inspired by your dream to serve God and the church through your knowledge & expertise. i rlly admire how you always give your best too! here’s a physics joke for you, tbf i googled this :)))) A photon checks into a hotel, where a bellhop asks where its suitcase is. The photon replies, “I didn’t bring any luggage. I’m traveling light.”

From Megan,
i love catching up with you everytime you come back. I know sometimes its just more of an existing together and you may not know what to say but each time I'm glad we get to hear how everything has been, how your love life as been evolving and how you are thinking about growing closer to God and your destiny. perhaps you feel quite far not just physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. sometimes we go through times where we got to stretch and hold onto promises God has spoken! as you go through such times, remember how much God has in store for you. And rmb your dream to be a board member, to make an impact with your gifts and all the prayers SPs have prayed over you during revival nights... they are very much alive and kicking and one day everything is going to come to pass :) even tho it was years ago, i love the times at the frontlines in testimony with you and also just spending endless times laughing over sheldon. You always have a place in Pastors and all our hearts! we love you and happy birthday!!

From Siva,
Dear Russell, Happy Birthday buddy! I am soo glad over the years I have known you, we have became better friends.. I remember the time when I was insecure to even speak amongst you, but you were the first few to reach out and truly express that you liked having me around the CG! I have learnt soo many things from you, but the biggest thing I took away from our friendship was humility. I am inspired by not only your intellect, but your character as well Russ! Love the questionable conversations we have, that I’m sure if anyone else heard – especially our partners – will result in us getting our heads knocked together. LOL! Have nothing but love for you Russ! Praying for your breakthroughs and all that you have dreamt about this year. Have a blessed year ahead Russ.. See you soon With Love ~ Siva

From Vanessa,
Happy birthday Russell! So glad to have met you in the CG and a big THANK YOU for fixing my keyboard 🙏 always so good to reminisce about school days with a fake batchie haha here’s to more hangouts with fairy lights and dry ice… hope to talk to you more! Have a great sem and looking forward to celebrating your next milestone together as a CG! Have a blessed birthday! And here’s one good pun: Why is it best to teach physics at the edge of a cliff? Because that’s where students have the most potential.