Graduation

Since graduation for the Biblical Studies and Cross Culture Communication students was scheduled to begin about 2 hours after we were due to arrive home, we were thankful the trip back to England went smoothly. The airplane left on schedule, we caught the train on time and were met by a friend on the other end to take us those last few miles.
The original aircraft we should have been on was not ready on time, so was substituted for a larger one. I had the blessing of being able to lie down across the 4 middle seats soon after we were airborne. I didn't get up again until we began our decent. Wow - one of my best flights ever!!
We were glad for the time the train ride across the country gave us to write graduation notes. We arrived home feeling quite prepared for this big event. Later, as we walked into the room for graduation we noticed a couple empty seats by a group of friends from our church who had come to celebrate with us. It was also great to see them again so soon.

2 German couples from BS who plan to come back for the 2nd year.
We knew when we left for Canada that our time with the students was basically up, but we were glad that we could at least be at their graduation and have a few minutes with each of them before they would be on their way all over Europe.

Watching the students who had worked so hard all year long receive their diplomas, enjoying graduation cake together after the program, gathering around a huge bonfire late into the night, coffee together the next morning and lots of them popping over to our home for last minute good byes, all helped to make that possible.

We are thankful for each student, for being able to be involved with them here, and for their desire of moving on and being a part of helping to reach the unreached. Those thoughts help cushion those sad good byes. They were a fantastic group of young people this year - and they will be missed.