New Day

Saturday I awoke early to the sound of my alarm. I was very tired as I only think I slept a couple of hours. I had to get up, I promised Tompeamie that I was going walking and he was welcome to join me. As I walked to meet him Vicki came from her house and joined us on the walk. The sun was starting to brighten the sky and it was one of the brightest and clearest days I had ever experienced in Yekepa. It was like a clear Arizona day with not even a hint of a cloud in the sky. The light was shining through the darkness of the prior day and this would be a great day for our graduates. They deserved a great day.  The path they had traveled to graduate in Liberia was a long one, met with many obstacles. They had done it and it would be their day.

As I headed up to the gym there was a stream of people, cars, motorbikes and even a helicopter landing. As the faculty and graduates met to put on our regalia there were ear to ear smiles. We all went outside to get a photo of the faculty, students, and dignitaries. The Minister of Education was there and she was moving through the crowd happy to meet all those she met. The Commissioner For Higher Education was also there I walked up to him and introduced myself.  When I said my name he had a puzzled look on his face, I reminded him he knew my name through the proposal he had received on the Entrepreneurial Studies program.

As we entered the gym for the processional the place was packed. We were graduating 20 students and the estimate on attendance was about 1000 people were there in support. I had one of the best seats in the house as I was up on stage with the faculty looking toward the graduates and the crowd.  I kept scanning the crowd for Peter. I had asked him to be my guest but let him know he would need to find his own seat. He had told me he had no clothes to wear, so the day before I had given him $15 usd to buy some clothes. He has told me he picked out 3 shirts and 3 trousers so I gave him the money to buy them, but it was a lot to a boy who has nothing.
 
The graduation went off without any issues. In his remarks the commissioner would comment on his commitment to ensure the entrepreneurial studies program at ABCU and later I would talk to him directly about the next steps in being approved to move forward. We have an appointment to get it done.
 
The minister of education shared her thoughts on the I,portage of rebuilding education in Liberia and commented on her support of ABCU, it programs and students. At the end of her remarks, she said she planned to take every graduating students name and she would personally ensure they have teaching jobs in Liberia.  What an honor to these students and to the university in the programs it has put together.

Peter came and found me after the graduation.  He had on the clothes he has bought with a hat and some sunglasses.  He thought he looked cool, I could tell he was happy he had some clothes to wear.  He followed me to my house and I gave him a bag of rice and some flour for his mother.  I know he was sad to see me go, but I will be back to spend more time with him and pray he keeps getting good grades and stays off the streets.  It will be a hard thing to do coming from where he does.

It will not be easy from here. Del and Becky added a lot of value in what they brought to the university. As I had a few minutes with del prior to my leaving, he expressed remorse for the huge mistakes he had made. I believe with the help of God this university will continue on to greatness and be a role model for education in Liberia.

Please pray along with me as I know the next weeks and months will be very challenging for the faculty, staff, and students as new leadership is transitioned and the university continues to grow.