Afonso’s Graduation

For my son Afonso, like many locals, the oral presentation of his major research project marked the completion of his college education much more than the graduation ceremony.  That’s why I traveled with a carload of his friends to the island where he studied to witness that event in April.  He told me that many seniors, likely including himself, would skip the July commencement exercises due to the high fee required to participate.  So I gave him a graduation gift and card on that presentation day.

Surprise!  Afonso realized that it actually was important to him to participate in the graduation ceremony, so his family helped him pay the necessary fees just before the June deadline.  On July 10, once again, a group of Afonso’s friends climbed into my pickup truck and we drove the 3.5 hours to his university, which had borrowed the outdoor sports court of the island’s high school for the momentous occasion.

Each graduate could invite one person to enter the makeshift auditorium and one to sit on concrete bleachers just outside its boundary, with others welcome to crowd around other edges of the open-air gym.  Afonso honored me as his mother with his inside guest seat and gave his bleacher spot to his older brother.  I enjoyed visiting with that brother about his work as a police officer as we meandered around the premises before the ceremony.

Though Pomp and Circumstance wasn’t played, the African university graduation ceremony was pompous, complete with Western-style caps and gowns, a parade, a military band, the national anthem, a choir, a drama presentation, and speeches by various dignitaries, including the governor of the province.  The students processed forward to receive their diplomas in two groups based on their degree: first those who studied Hotel and Tourism, and then those, including Afonso, from the Local Development and International Relations program.  As my son marched back to his seat with his diploma, I caught his eye and he threw me a kiss!

Following the afternoon ceremony, my passengers and I enjoyed supper with Afonso and other friends of his at the house where he stays when on the island.  Then he walked me around the corner to a guesthouse where I enjoyed a good night of sleep before driving everyone back home early the next morning.  Please continue to pray for God’s direction for Afonso’s residence, employment, family, and ministry as he enters the next phase of his life.