Lifeline's very first trade school sewing class graduated today. There was a ceremony scheduled at 10:00 this morning, but being as this is Haiti, it didn't start until closer to 11:00. All of us Americans were in the church patiently waiting so I walked up to the trade school to see how close they were to being ready. I stepped into a room full of excitement. (First of all, they were all impressed to see "Madame Adam" actually dressed up.) Each one was busy getting ready and helping each other put finishing touches on their final exam, which was the dress they wore for graduation. I could feel the energy in the room, but still encouraged them to quickly get to the church.
Recess was in session at this

time so the school children gathered around all the windows of the church to see what was going on. The sewing students waited at the door, then deliberately walked down the aisle to the front rows of the church.

Madam Bousicot entered in her traditional Haitian gradation robe. We opened with prayer and the crowd singing

"How Great Thou Art". The Michigan team attended the ceremony and sang a couple of songs. Then Madame Bousicot said some very sweet things about Adam and I, addressed the students, then read Proverbs chapter four.
The students came to the front to sing "One Day at a Time" and I'm pretty sure I wept through the entire song. The
memories of the first day of class came to my mind when hardly anyone knew the songs Madame Bousicot wanted them to sing.

Many in the group hardly knew anything about God and had no desire to back then. As they belted it out in harmony and with passion, I was just overwhelmed by how far they've come. I love the thought of the
plan God had for them and that I actually was able to play a pretty big part in that.

But I had to dry my tears because was scheduled to speak next. I talked about how privileged they are to have had Madame Bousicot as a Christian mentor and sewing teacher. I told them I was
proud of their accomplishments both in sewing skills and business practices. I reminded them that
they were never given a handout here, but
God provided the means for this class and
they have worked hard to provide a better life for themselves and their families.
Madame Maxo (mother of 10, who lives very close to the mission) asked if she could say a few words. She talked about how Lifeline has done good things helping the children for years, but the
trade school is now the avenue for Lifeline to help the adults. She acknowledged that the class gave Madame Bousicot and I a hard time at the beginning, and thanked us for not giving up on them. Finally, she thanked Adam and I for coming to live in a foreign country to help them.

So I don't know if this seems like a big deal to you, and I hope it doesn't seem like it's all about me, but this whole program is very special to me. The effects of this class are a huge reason I left my career, family, friends, and life at home to live here. It may just seem like sewing to you, but to them it means a
job, a
business,
clothes on their back and
food on their table. These ladies will always deal with a hard life here. That's just the way it is. But now they are better equipped and prepared and know that they never have to face it alone.