Graduation Day

 Graduation guests started to arrive a few days prior and the campus filled with excited noise.

Saturday's program said that the main event was to start at 10 a.m. and we were surprised to hear the praise team start shortly after that time.

So we headed across the campus to where the chairs faced the stage. 

Cory was promptly ushered up to the stage 'high' table with other staff and important guests, Fritz with a friend, and I sat towards the back under a small mango tree for a better chance to take pictures [Coughing regularly from a cold, I didn't want to sit close to others].

The praise team sang and sang, nicely filling up close to two hours for all the final people to arrive, and things to be prepared for the event.

Then we entered into a time of speeches, prayers, and a few additional songs.

Interesting how often the Dean of Students, Rev. Samson Siamapepe, would introduce the Bishop who introduced the Deputy Bishop who would introduce either the Principal or the Guest of honor who was the leader of Pemba District. 

Speeches were given by: the Principal of the Bible College: Rev. Roy Hababa. Principal of the Africa Wesleyan University College: Dr. Henry Smith, Bishop Juden Siahchitema, and Guest of Honor, Mr Obey Habeenzu. 

Dr. Smith mentioned that during his career in higher Christian education and the countless graduations he'd attended here is always the most exuberant!

There was talk of the class being well trained to go out to heal the church and world, to set captives free. They were encouraged to pursue holiness and call on God. 

The graduates were encouraged to always keep learning and to one day attend the Africa Wesleyan University College at Zimba, which is just down the road two or three hours. 

Projects being worked on were noted: the progress of the building of the university, a computer lab, the agricultural program [tree propagation] getting a new bore hole [water well-industrial size] a donated tractor, how the district helped to get corn for the college at a discounted price. 

The second part of the program included the handing out of certificates and diplomas as well as a speech by the student representative. Dean of Academics, Rev. Benson Gubule did most of this with those who gave speeches lining up to shake hands with the graduates. 

The wives received certificate of ministry. For the men: one Certificate of Christian Service, three certificates of Theology, and two diplomas of Theology. 

Some of the graduates walked slowly, some ran, and some danced their way across the stage!

Some were joined with yelling, dancing family, friends, and supporting church members celebrating with them. After the shaking of hands some were hoisted up on shoulders!

Lots of photos were also taken! 

The third and last part of the formal program included more songs, offering, and presentation of gifts.

Because the graduation program was to take 3 hours, in the middle, some of the Pemba high school students went through the crowd offering a mug of a local traditional corn drink for refreshment.

Gifts were given to the students from the national church and local-while some were wrapped. We did see thick bedspreads given and it was announced that each one would receive a sack of cornmeal (Cory saw a 55 pound bag later which may have been one of the gifts).

Final announcements included letting folks know where different groups were to head for the meal, and then the assembly was 'dissolved'.

Those from the 'high' table headed to our house where the ladies had spread out a fine feast. 

Fritz received a better offer for him so he ate at his friend's whose folks graduated. 

All we did was clean the house and set up tables and chairs.

The choices were: traditional corn meal "shima", rice, chicken with sauce, beef with sauce, roasted potatoes, greens with onion. Drinks: the corn drink, water, Coke, Fanta or Sprite. [smaller bottles than in the USA]. 

Cory was also able to spend time with Pastor Patrick, the new farm manager giving a tour before graduation and meeting with him and the Bishop for a short talk after the meal.

Patrick has been a pastor for the past 16 years about 2 hours south of here and is looking forward to being able to do both pastoral and agricultural work.

He may be moving here to the campus or to the Jembo Mission about a mile from here.

Cory is looking forward to working with an agriculture manager who plans to lead and teach long term as the project is developed.

Pastor Patrick is on the right in the photo.