“Send me Father, I will go. Wherever you want to send me, I will go and preach,” sang the 27 Gbado Bible Institute graduates and their wives as they processed in to the graduation ceremony on July 13th. Pete was privileged to be able to attend the service and take visitor Sue Nelson to see where she lived from 1948-50. The dignified celebration was attended by over 1,600 people! As the photos try to show, people were watching from everywhere trying to get a glimpse of the proceedings. Two of the graduates were women. Congratulations. This link has a short video of the processional. You can also watch a video of the choir dancing during the prelude here.
A graduate receiving his diploma
The crowd – those fortunate enough to find a place under the shelter
During his 50-minute message, Vice-President Jacques Vungbo challenged the graduates from John 15:12-17. “Love one another as I have loved you. I have called you friends. Everything I have learned from the Father, I have made known to you.”
“You are called to see everyone as a friend in Christ, not a servant,” said the VP, “Now, go work for Him.”
During the presentation of the diplomas, each graduate came forward and received his diploma as he shook hands with the school director, the VP and the head of the CEUM Department of Biblical and Theological Education. On his return he was often mobbed by other students and family members. The 2 women graduates were particularly mobbed by people congratulating them.
Wife of a graduate receiving certificate
After the presentation of the diplomas, Rev. Weka, head of the Department, presented each graduate with a new Lingala Bible. He then proclaimed, “You are no longer student pastors. You are now pastors with the CEUM.” He went on to say, “This day marks the end of your classroom schooling and now you enter the school of the local church. May God strengthen you to be faithful to Him in all things.” At the close of the service all the ordained pastors present circled around the graduates and their spouses and prayed for them.
Prayers for graduates and spouses
Sue Nelson came with me on this trip to see the first place she lived in after she was born at Karawa many years ago. Her parents, Quentin and Helen Nelson, served at Gbado-Gboketsa. While at Gbado she visited Pastor Mopande who had been a student when her father was teaching at the high school at Bolenge, south of Mbandaka. It was special for her to come back.
While our trip from Gemena to Gbado-Gboketsa was very long and included getting stuck at the Gbo river, our return trip went much quicker. The road had dried out and we didn’t get stuck. What a difference the sun makes! I was pleased to see that Office de Routes, the Congolese DOT, had done an excellent job with a number of parts of the road. In some areas we could cruise along at 60 km/hr for several miles. Haven’t done that here for a loong time.
Kids trying to see
Panorama of the crowd
