PROUD MOMENT

Our hearts filled with gratitude to the Lord last Friday evening as we listened to our daughter, Elizabeth's, testimony. In her beautiful French she gave God all the glory for His help through the past four years of college. It was a proud moment for us as parents.

Four years ago Elizabeth and her Burkinabè friend, Laury Traoré, embarked on their college career at Toccoa Falls College. Laury's parents are members of our church here in Ouaga and we had responded to their request to help their daughter improve her English and apply to college in the US. The Lord opened the doors and these past four years have whizzed by. Last month both girls graduated with honors!

On Friday the Traoré's and we threw a big graduation party for our daughters. It was a beautiful evening of good food and good times with family and friends, but most of all it was an occasion to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. Elizabeth said in her testimony that through the lonely times and difficulties of the past 4 years, she chose to draw close to God instead of moving away from Him, and that she had no regrets for that choice. We are proud of the beautiful young lady that our daughter has become and can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use her in the future.

Elizabeth and Laury's friendship is a very unique one that has brought two different cultures and families together. It will be interesting to see how the Lord is going to use that connection in the future.

The next step for Elizabeth includes grad school at the Alliance Graduate School of Counseling in Nyack, New York. Laury's plans include a Masters in Education at some point in the future. We would appreciate your prayers for our girls that God will use them mightily as He's already begun doing!