Award ceremony for course completers

On 25 April we had a certificate award ceremony for those who have completed courses at the Bible Education Centre. (These used to be called "graduations", but we've changed the name, to try to avoid an implication of a qualification--and to try to dissuade people from renting caps & gowns. Seemed to work! No gowns, even for the 2 people who had said they were going to rent them.)

To North Americans, having a ceremony like this may seem strange. Here in South Africa, education is truly valued, but higher education is not possible for many. So, rather than a degree, many people take specific courses that lead to a certificate. Having evidence of educational achievement is worth something to them - and our students at the BEC are no different. On our side, we are very happy to recognize time and effort spent in Bible study, and to encourage them to keep it up.

We had 32 people who completed courses since the last award ceremony, of whom 9 had completed more than one course. Twenty of them came to the ceremony, and we had 40 total visitors at the Durban hall (most people brought a friend or a family member, or two). Paul conducted the proceedings, Barry van Heerden from Durban gave a great talk encouraging the students to carry on, and Mary & Jane presented the certificates. (Jane had also done all of the food shopping and preparation.)

The most exciting thing is that two of the students are very close to baptism. Almita, an older woman who has done all the courses, has been talking about baptism for some time. Her sister has been trying to talk her out of it, but on this day she said to Mary that she wants to go forward. The other student is a man named Crispin, who has completed 3 courses and is mid-way through a fourth. He just seems to be on fire. At the ceremony, besides asking Paul how he would go about being baptized, he made a financial donation to the work. (The two weren't related - it's just clear that he believes in the message and wants to support spreading it.)

The Lord is indeed blessing the work here! There are other positive things happening as well. The niece of one of the early BEC students has asked for baptism preparation classes, which Mary is going to arrange with her. A man named David has resumed The Way of Life classes with Bro David White. A young guy named Zipho, who had been very keen, but whom we hadn't seen in the BEC for some time, was at the ceremony and engaged us in a great conversation. Another young guy named Jerom has done all the courses and has been attending regularly in Durban. A woman named Nokuthula is mid-way in her 4th course and attends regularly on Sundays, and has said when she completes this one she wants to talk about baptism. On and on. God be praised!

Many thanks to those who helped with the day: to Barry for the talk, the music, and the A/V help. To Wendith & Christy for the help in the kitchen. Of course to Mary for her ongoing work with these students, as well as for contributing to the ceremony. To Cam and Steve for fetching people, helping with the setup, and to Steve who acted as usher/doorkeeper. And thanks to David, Dieudonne, Charlotte, Rose, and Mhloli for attending & supporting the effort, and engaging the students in conversation later.

It was an exciting day. Please join us in praying for the students, for God's direction in their lives and for their continued spiritual growth. And for laborers to work in these white fields!