Hi Everyone,This is Esther and it's her special day. She's the oldest child at OLA and she graduated on Saturday to the next level. She just finished our equivelent of 8th grade. I wouldn't imagine that Esther has had many "special days" just for her so we went to her graduation ceremony.
Crist, John and Jason were working, so Emilee, Corrie and I plus Jessica made a day of it. We were told to be there at 10 but in true Nigeria fashion, the ceremonies didn't start until 11:15 and we were finished by 2 p.m. Because we were bitori(sp?) (white people), they seated us behind that stand in the picture to the right and because I am bitori and "old", they out of the blue just announced that I would be handing out the first set of special honor certificates to some of the younger grades. There's a picture of me doing the honors somewhere below.
These next two pictures are of Esther inside her classroom. Remember the blog a couple of weeks ago of pictures of some classrooms in the village school - well, these classrooms are of a private Christian school. The biggest difference is they have desks.
The graduation ceremony was delightful, however. Christ was honored and glorified and as each class did their performance (could be music - most were - a fashion show, native dancing, drama) Scripture and/or praise songs were lifted up and it truly was a hectic but joy-filled day.
This class that did the native dancing was incredible. Those kids could move their bodies and they were really "playing to the crowd."
The last picture was after the ceremonies were finished, we all went and had our picture with Esther. Nigerians don't smile much when they have their pictures taken we're finding out. In this picture is Sister Fedelia and "Big Momma", one of the OLA caregivers plus Daniel, Joseph and Hope - three of the oldest children left at OLA. Our prayer is that Daniel, Joe and Hope will see Esther's efforts at school and will strive to achieve the same for their lives. Jesus and education are what will save this country.
This class that did the native dancing was incredible. Those kids could move their bodies and they were really "playing to the crowd."
The last picture was after the ceremonies were finished, we all went and had our picture with Esther. Nigerians don't smile much when they have their pictures taken we're finding out. In this picture is Sister Fedelia and "Big Momma", one of the OLA caregivers plus Daniel, Joseph and Hope - three of the oldest children left at OLA. Our prayer is that Daniel, Joe and Hope will see Esther's efforts at school and will strive to achieve the same for their lives. Jesus and education are what will save this country.In-joy,
Eileen and Crist
Thank you Eileen for the great reports and pictures.
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