Graduation Day!

Graduaiton day. CMI has a partnered with Grow Now, a program that trains up people to be pastors, teachers of the Word. I had labored (not as hard as I would have liked) over my speech and prayed it would be meaningful. Just a funny side note - I put on my beautiful new dress and literally spent the next few hours trying to not sweat. How far am I from the equator again?
We arrived about 5 minutes before the event was scheduled to begin, but as usual, everyone operates on "Liberian time," which mean they would show up at 12 noon (at the beginning) or 20 minutes late or 2 hours late (and this is exactly what happened). We started at 12:30 pm despite not everyone being there. I was IN the program. My picture and bio. I met Dejoy and Hawa's two girls, Wede and Ruth. Ruth is 8 and just stared at me and giggled. But everyone was so welcoming. It was so lovely and such a celebration.

I was part of the processional. We kind of just danced our way to music up to the front - shouldn't we all dance for processional?? I have downplayed what being a graduation speaker means, but it was a big deal. And I felt so honored to be the guest speaker for seminarians. I felt self-conscious from my seat up front as most of the time I could not hear/understand what was going on. Yes, they were speaking English, but with thick accents and microphones and my hearing issues...it was a struggle. And I definitely did not know the words to the songs! The church filled up slowly as the service went on. The class president's support team came in with signs stapled to their hats!
I felt really good about my speech and delivery - it went about as well as I could have hoped. It helped to have that time before during the music to reflect on all that God has carried me through to get me to this moment. I am the graduation speaker. So be it.
The pictures afterward, needless to say, were chaotic and so fun! Lots of laughter and singing and dancing. I am certain photos and videos of me will be floating around Liberia forever! I was so

encouraged.
I should mention here my dear friends and partners back in the States. God bless them for checking in on me regularly and ensuring I am well taken care of. I am sure some of it has to do with boredom in quarantine. :)
Afterward, six of us piled into the cab of the truck and drove to the "island" to the Wesley house. This has become a joke because Hawa did not realize it was actually an island they live on - massive land surrounded completely by mostly river. She calls me Island Princess . And Greta quite often. :)
She has a kitchen outdoors. We sat around the coal fire (!) while the food cooked and she cut up pineapple, papaya, plantains, organges and

cucumbers for me. I think I ate about 3 pounds of fruit and it was heavenly. You can read the "processing..." chapter for what comes next. We return by I think it is called a Keke (?) - a little motorized covered vehicle. We were one of about 1000 on the road and as you can imagine, it was a little chaotic.
I had soup made from cassavea leaves, palm oil, fish, chicken, chicken feet, and I am not sure what else. No, I did not try the chicken feet! But it was spicy and tasty despite being a green paste. I felt quite foolish, I was so so hot, they brought me a fan, and then when I would set it down, one of the kids would pick it up and fan me. I tried to get them to stop to no avail. The beach walk was a welcome but brief relief!

I feel so incredibly blessed. And spoiled.
Prayers;
* Endurance and some rest as most of my speaking engagements are over today. I am tired.
* Leadership meeting tonight - I pray the team will open up and share their hopes and vision for the CMI.
* Champ has asked me to mentor him as he has started his own NGO focusing on alcohol and sexual abuse. May I live up to his expectations and be of help.
* Thanksgiving for all God is doing and for Greta and Eddie, Dejoy and Hawa. And for ALL of you who continue to partner in prayer and support and words of encouragment. Love you all.