This is actually the article I wrote for the WEEP newsletter on the graduation ceremony we held here at the HEART compound last Saturday. I thought this would be the perfect way to blog about the graduation! :)
After years of anticipation, the day finally came—12 more WEEP women graduated, making a total of 17. Families, friends, HEART staff, and HEART supporters from all over Kenya gathered at the HEART compound on Saturday, August 21st to celebrate these women as they move forward, out of the WEEP centers, and begin their own businesses. Preparation began the day before with set up of large tents and continued early the next morning as the HEART staff and some of the Rotaracters came together with “all hands on deck” to ensure the ceremony panned out smoothly. The lawn of the HEART compound was lined with chairs and tables, which were subtly decorated with flowers and photos of various HEART projects. Guests began arriving as early as 9am and continued to arrive throughout the celebration. The sun was out, the kids were playing games on the back lawn, and people were piling their plates with delicious food. Everything was running flawlessly—even early!
To begin the graduation, the Kibera WEEP Women gathered in front of the stage to sing some songs. Then, as they began singing—drip, drop—droplets of rain began to fall from the sky. It did not take long before everything began to get soaked. Quickly, everyone turned their chairs around to face the opposite direction, and everything not under the tents was swiftly put under the tents. With positive attitudes—and even praises—the graduation proceeded. With a smile, Vickie Winkler, Executive Director of HEART, reminded everyone, “Rain is always a blessing here in Kenya, isn’t it?”
After a few members of the HEART staff spoke on Kids for School, Freedom for Girls, and WEEP, the graduating women entered from inside. Their graduation song was the beautiful sound of their voices praising God. They each received their diplomas with smiles and hugs from Lynn Adrian from USAID, Helen Dalton from AED/CAP Kenya, and Vickie Winkler from HEART.
After the graduation came to a close with prayer, people swarmed the newly graduated WEEP women to congratulate them. Random outbursts of singing, dancing, and laughing filled the time while everyone celebrated together. In the words of Isaac Mzee, who served as MC at the graduation, “these women we call WEEP ladies will now WEEP no more.”
Sharing tears of joy with you, the HEART staff, and the WEEP women; tears of joy as the LORD shared from the heavens that day! :) Hugs - Mom
ReplyDeleteHi Katelyn
ReplyDeleteThose were the Lord's showers of blessing on the graduating WEEP women and the tears of joy from heaven at the promise and hope for them and their families. Now Katelyn as you prepare to come back in less than 48 hours know that He who has begun a good a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Phillipians 1:6 The hearts and lives that have been touched for the Lord through you and the love that He has engraved on your heart through your experience there we lift now to His care according to His purpose.Now do not despise your youth: but be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 is your challenge as you take this incredible
transforming experience with you to get ready for and go to start your college preparation. Now Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever Jude 24-25 and keep You in His care and hold you in His embrace in this time of joy at the work that the Lord has done and the sadness at the time of this season of service coming to a close. Amen. Hugs and can't wait to hear what the Lord is leading you to do as a result of this time. .Cheryle