14th CBI Graduation

 On Friday night, October 31st, we had our 14th graduation.
Here are some pictures of the occasion.

With the exception of Veasna, who gave the charge to Vanna, all the others that participated in the ceremony are current students.

Sophea acted as the MC.
Rong led several songs.
 Kimsroeun also led some songs
 Kemrun read the first scripture reading. And gave a short explanation.
 Ponleu read another scripture and also made an application.
 Veasna, who is one of our graduate and is currently helping at the school as a teacher and translator gave the charge to Vanna.
He emphasized the importance of God being #1 in your life and not allowing anything or anyone to come between you and God, even though at time it would be hard.
He did a good job.  We are blessed to have him working at the school as he is a good Bible student and well as a good translator when we have visiting teachers from the US.
 Then, Rich did the presenting of the diplomas.
 This is Rich with Vanna, our only graduate this time.  He is our 36th graduate. As Rich is stating here, Vanna is an excellent student.  He makes good grades, but also looks for ways to apply what he has learned to his life.
He will be working with one of the congregations in Phnom Penh to try to strength the current Christians and reach out to the community around it.
 This is a picture of our current male students (and Veasna).  They are a good group of kids.
 Of course, the token shot of Rich and I with Vanna.
Graduations are always bittersweet.  We are thrilled to have more workers for the Lord out there working, but we sure miss seeing them everyday at the school.
 And them a few snapshots.  After graduation, we always have a meal together.  So here is a bunch of the boys enjoying the meal.
 This is Sopheany and Veng.  Sopheany was one of our students, but she has had to quit and is attending university now along with working. We really miss her and enjoy getting to see her whenever we can.

Veng is one of our current students.
This is a group of ladies from Vanna's village.  Quite a few of our students have come from this village.  These sweet Christian ladies rode in this tuktuk 2 hours each way to attend graduation.  They also brought a ton of bananas to share from their trees in the village.  They left the school after 8pm, making them get home after 10pm.  They are a great group of Christian ladies and we always enjoy spending time with all of them.  Many are mothers to current students or graduates.



Please keep Vanna in your prayers as he begins his work for the Lord here in Phnom Penh.  Pray for him to have courage and wisdom and strength.
Much love,
Ronda

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