Exams, graduation and farewell

That was the final week at LTS in 2010 ... and thank God that Seminary matters went as positive as they did!
Eight students graduated this year:

• Benson Barahuka [Uganda]
• Nicholas Bwire [Uganda]
• Phenyo Mokgaimena [LCSA - Botswana]
• Silas Mogale [LCSA - North-West Province of SA]
• Bheki Ngobese [LCSA - Mpumalanga in SA]
• Daniel Nkoyoyoo [Uganda]
• Johnson Obura [Uganda]
• Robert Wakiso [Uganda]

Six of these achieved very good or even excellent averages in their final year. That means that they qualify to continue with post-graduate work in 2010. However as most are entering the vicarage, they will have to do this part-time. Robert Wakiso from Uganda was the highest achiever with an excellent average all year round and nobody failed. We are very proud of these students. What makes me especially happy is that the present 3rd years also did very well overall. That gives me hope that God willing they will not only return, but do even better next year.
The Ugandan students have not seen their families for 10 months. So they were very happy yesterday, when I drove them to the airport in pouring rain. Thankfully Dr. Ralf Meyer again allowed the Seminary to rent his 14-seater Toyota Taxi with trailer. It was jam-packed, but nobody cared as they were on their way home!
Bishop David P. Tswaedi DD preached the sermon during Matins and brother Musawenkosi Mntambo conducted the liturgy. Mr. Madara Eboro from Nigeria was the master of ceremonies and did a great job of welcoming guests and visitors like Dean Sipho Danisa from Kathlehong/Soweto and Rev. Glenn Fluegge together with his wife Susan and five children. Glen is a missionary serving LCMS World Mission, who is now stationed at the LTS for the next few years. He previously was with the Seminary in Togo and will hopefully connect the LTS with francophone Africa.
After the graduation ceremony we still ate pizza together before getting down to the business of packing and stowing everything away for the coming summer break. God willing Seminary will reopen again in February 2010. In the meantime let us not forget the Lord's command: "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest for the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few!"