Opening Celebration of Hevie' Agricultural Training Center!

I realized I forgot to talk about the grand opening of the Hevie' Agricultural Training Center last Thursday. Though the building is not quite finished--still needs to be painted, little details worked on--it is open and already has students living there. I was told that many of the people from Hevie' have been asking, "Why is your corn [tomatoes, potatoes,etc] are so much bigger than mine? What are those white people giving you?" and the students have the opportunity to explain what they've learned! (And by the way, ...their corn was planted in the beginning of July, I believe, and is now over TEN FEET TALL!!!) Jean-Claude, a long-term crew member from Ghana, has been teaching the instructors all year, teaching them biblical gardening....not burning or plowing their land, just planting the seeds, mulching, shading from too much sun, natural insecticides (other plants), etc. He explained a little of it at the ceremony and it is amazing to see the results! The center is beautiful! Through many official speakers, local and national leadership representation, and a few speakers from Bethesda (the main supporter of the Center) and Mercy Ships, the school was dedicated and the ribbon cut, officially opening the new school. Seven of the eight instructors were able to be present, as well as all 17 students in their work shirts and new mud boots (their uniforms). We also had entertainment provided by two women's singing/music groups and a skit by the students showing how people can learn about the Center. They were translating all of the speeches between French and English for the variety of speakers so it moved a bit slowly. We had a brief snack for Bethesda and Mercy Ship personnell with the government officials then it was over. All in all, it was a very good celebration.

I found myself bored with all of the speeches, so I started taking pictures of the people around me and those are what are seen on the slideshow. :0P Also, there are pictures on there of the center and the stage it's at now.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE SLIDESHOW IS GETTING TOO LONG TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD! I will take out the older pictures so as to shorten it so that there will be no problems for anyone viewing it! Thanks!