My Heart has Grown... Here I go, Again: Day 8: Graduation!! :)

Vicki, happy as can be!

The graduates

Today is a day of celebration! Vicki walked into breakfast asking if anyone is as excited as she is for today! Because just 18 months ago, she saw these ladies extremely ill on the beds unable to do anything, thinking they were going to die alone with their children watching. The Heart lodge was decorated with white party tents and chairs with white chair covers and pink bows. The lodge is beautiful as it is, so it doesn’t take much. The 9 graduates came and got their cap and gowns on. This is the only cap and gown they have ever worn. Just 18 months ago, they believed they were going to die, so to be in a beautiful place with a graduation cap and gown on seems surreal to them. They walked in to the song by, Cathy Tracolli, let your light shine. There were tears all around, tears of joy. Genuine smiles that couldn’t be wiped off beautiful healthy faces. One of the graduates, Nancy, was having a hard time. Three weeks ago, Nancy’s 2 year old baby passed away. My heart broke for her, as this was a joyous day she had been working towards for so long and now she was consumed by grief. So much that it cause her body to be weak. It touched my heart to see the alumni graduates come along side of her and help her walk to her seat, get her water and hold her hand. Isn’t that what the bible asks of us? To come along side of a friend in times of trouble, without judgment? These ladies were living it out. The honored guest speaker for the graduation was the Israeli ambassador, Gil Hulsted. He was terrific when addressing the graduates to remember where they came from and encouraging the ladies to look ahead at where they will be.

Israeli Ambassador and his wife

Our team presented the graduates their $150 each for their start up businesses and their $500 each for a home. What a joy to see their faces light up. I explained to the graduates that our friends and family, THAT’S YOU J, supported us and donated to make this possible. We are lucky enough to be the ones to deliver the money, but it’s only possible through our friends and families donations. WOW! What an honor to be able to deliver that great news to the graduates! We were also able to give enough money to support 3 more women through the 18 month program. Thank you, thank you and thank you. You have changed lives by donating to Heart. Not just these graduates lives, but mine too. To be able to learn from these women and to change my perspective in many ways. I’m extremely thankful and grateful for the opportunity.