I’m taking a little breather now that we had our 2007 graduation for IMS and can finally get some words on paper after the rush of the last weeks.
The graduation went well, though with the running around before and after it was a bit of a blur getting the invitations and programmes done and arranging with the the tailor and embroiderer for the matching outfits, an African tradition. With all the celebrating and people catching up with others (and us women handing out food to the more than 150 that turned up), we didn’t get together for our group photo until the sun had well set, and flashes set off the Harmattan dust made them all a bit of a blur too! Josiane and I had shopped in the market for hours for an African cloth in school colours for the “uniform” for the ceremony for the students and teachers (those with embroidered logos) and staff (same cloth but different style). The baby is the cook’s, by the way, not Deanna’s.
We had the normal things for a graduation: prayers, news of what the student will be doing, a sermon on mission, along with a light meal of a bottle of coke or fanta, beef brochettes, fried sweet potato chips, piece of chicken and tomato sauce … which ran out near the end. A student from IBEO (the evening bible college I teach at) said later those who were being polite and waiting till the end saw neighbourhood children (not invited) turn up at the end when the ceremony was over and get before them in line. Running out of food it a bit of a disgrace here, but luckily it was only about 10 people. It’s going on the list for “things to do/not do next year”. Next year starts awfully soon…
I may try to take a few days off next week for a rest before starting to work on next year at IMS. I’ll also have to find some way to get my computer fixed so I can use my CD/DVD drive - it’s been a worry lately.
