Graduation Day!

Because pictures speak louder than words, and because I took a lot of pictures on Saturday, this blog will contain more photos than text. 

While putting on their gowns and caps we broke into spontaneous song with This Is The Day.

The Canaan Baptist Church choir has to be in great shape to display such energetic moves. And their voices were out of this world!

The men lining up in the seminary courtyard before the ceremony~minus two who were running late. One of the men made it by the skin of his teeth, the other missed the processional. 

Jotham Siantongole receives the seminary's certificate of ministry from Tracy. It was exciting and emotional when they transferred the tassel from the left side of their caps to the right. 

Family and friends gather on our lawn afterwards for some refreshments. Over 150 people joined us for cookies and juice. Unfortunately, we had to make a cookie run as we ran out of treats. 

After the reception at our house a four-course meal was served to the students and their four guests. Cake topped us up afterward, and was it good!

Tracy honors Tim and Andrea Hilty who are returning to the States in December after serving in Zambia for eight years. Tim has served as AZ's director for the past seven years. They will be sorely missed!

Betty Silwamba receives her PHT (Putting Honey Through degree) from me. This was a time of honoring each of the students' wives for faithfully supporting their spouses.

The PHT lineup with Beth Rice and me. 

 Cosmas Tembo received the Discipling Leader award. Cosmas mentored twelve students in Veritas, a method of exegeting the Scriptures. Other awards were the Humble Servant and Faithful Pastor. Abraham Tembo and Emmanuel Nkhoma tied for winning the former. The latter was awarded to the widow of Francis Ng'andwe, who died a week ago. He had already been selected for this award before his vehicle accident.
 
 

Peter Mung'omba, the class spokesman, expressed appreciation and thanks to APC's lecturers and AZ's staff.  

Our pastor Emile Mazabarakiza admonished the students from Acts 19, Paul's words to the Ephesian elders. 

Each graduate received a parcel of five books~a New Bible Dictionary, NB Commentary, Grudem's Systematic Theology, a two-volume commentary on Matthew, and a commentary on Zechariah. These are gold for Zambian pastors!

The final shot after a busy day~the students with their books and their lecturers, Andy Rice and Tracy. 

We praise God for the culmination of three years of study. It was achieved at great cost to these men~oftentimes giving up employment in order to study. God gave grace!