GRADUATION DAY IN MWANZA

Saturday was graduation day for 20 schools in the local area of Mwanza.  Approximately 1000-1200  people (both inside and outside) gathered together at a large church in the center of Mwanza.  The Administrator of the schools  had invited Eddie to give presentation to the graduating students.  What an honor!  We arrived at the school to find the building packed with students, parents, and well-wishers. 

                                     

There are 250 students graduating high school.  High school in Africa is for ages 18-22.

To begin the ceremony, students danced and sang.  This was absolutely amazing!  Although it's all sung in Swahili, in your spirit, you hear the words and some way seem to understand exactly what they are singing.  I found myself with a strong urge to get in the line and dance with them. Don't panic, I didn't act of the urge.

I was so proud when they introduced the Man of God from America, my husband.  Although this experience was something completely new, you would have thought he had been doing this on a regular basis.  He walks up with such confidence and greets the people with a loud "Bwana Asifiwe!"!  Praise the Lord!

"Congratulations to all the graduates & parents.  This is an honor for me to address you this morning.  I would like to say that this accomplishment is the first of many you will have in your life ime. You are the light of Tanzania, and with each accomplishment you become brighter and brighter.  Always say to yourself  'I am going to be better!  I am going to go through!'  Remember, circumstances in life are only temporary.  Never let them demand that you give up.  Always press forward, remembering that you are going through to the end!  Your words are the creation of your life.  If you say I cannot, you will not.  If you say I can, then you will!  Speak life not death.  Life is hard, so let the hard times mold you into a better person and rejoice in the good times!  Remember you can do all things trough Christ who strengthens you!  (He then read Mark 5:25-30)  Press forward, with no compromise.  Because as this woman we read about in this scripture, we all need to touch Jesus.  It is by touching Him that will always make us whole.  He is always ready to be touched!" 

                                  

                                              Goodluck interpreting as Eddie presents 



We had the honor of meeting the National Youth Director of Tanzania.  He was the key speaker for the graduation ceremony.  He came in after Eddie gave his presentation.  When he was introduced to Eddie, he wanted to speak with him regarding his topic of speech, so he could go in the same direction.  Come to find out, they both had the same thoughts and he too had prepared to encourage the students to press forward and never give up.  He said that in Tanzania the students usually get married and move on into their traditions and never go further than the school attended. 

 

Samuel Limbe & Eddie

There was an immediate connection between these two men.  They sat and talked, shared and laughed as if they had been friends for years.  Mr. Limbe insisted that he would be contacting Eddie for future conferences that he has planned for Tanzania.

The entrance of the students was quite different from our traditional graduation ceremony.  The students, all dressed to identify them by their schools, lined up at the doorway and "danced" in, two by two, and stood at the front.  Once they all were together, they sang a goodbye song to the audience of people, finishing with a loud yell and applause.