Closing Function

Every year before the students start their exams we have what we call the Closing Function. Essentially, it’s an evening of reflection on the year and celebration to send off the graduates. For Stephen and me, personally, there is a lot of work that goes into this function. Myself, Pauline and two of our students, Zodwa and Sebo, started cooking at 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon to feed 65 or so hungry months a formal dinner for the evening. Stephen, while we were cooking up a storm (making our house smell like curry), put together the music for our slideshow. It shows the year’s events for the students. It was a day of scramble, but it all came together as a huge success! And we all sighed a sigh of relief when it was over considering the day before was our big Exam Prayer.



The group



Smiling faces



Nonku. This girl is just full of love.




The evening began with some serious praise and worship. See the singing items below.

Singing Item 1

Singing Item 2

Singing Item 3


Followed by the graduating class passing on some of their wisdom to those following in their footsteps.



Rodney (a BTech student)



Mnqobi



Pastor Neville enjoying the words of wisdom.



As well as some of Hope Church’s members.



Then Pastor Neville from Hope Church gave everyone some great words of wisdom from Matthew 25:14-30, speaking about the Parable of the Talents.



Bathobile rendered the poem “The Tomb could not Keep Him” for us upon Neville’s request.

Next up, dinner was served. This included a choice of two traditional meals: beef stew with pup (a stiff maize meal eaten like rice) or chicken curry with rice. Each option was also served with beets and a side salad. Then for dessert: jello (or as they call it jelly) with peach slices and custard. It was all quite delicious!

While having dinner we watched the slideshow of the year’s events to close the night out. You can check the slideshow out HERE! I think you’ll really enjoy it. :)



Toby and Muedanyi



Cookie and Asanda



Justin, T.K., and the sweetest guy, but we keep forgetting his name. Eck!












My girls, Mulanga and Nkhosi



Zodwa, our partner in crime in the kitchen. This girl knows how to cook for a crowd!



Cedric and Vuyo. Poor Cedric was feeling very sick that night and I believe is still trying to get over it. Please pray for quick recovery for him.



The craziness in the kitchen afterwards. Imagine hand-washing dishes after serving 60+ people. Our students were really troopers in helping out. The girl in turquoise there is Swie she sang (in her stunning voice) and washed dishes till every last one was done!