Today marks the last day of the ITC 125th celebration. Some of our group chose to get up early and go to the morning devotion as well as the last panel discussions about public health issues and global citizenship. It was very nice when some of the international students would get up and let their opinions and voices be heard. All the students shared a hope for the future that we can work together to make the world what God has meant for it to be. Rosanne Valasco from the Philippines penned this encouraging message for the young people at the conference:
The afternoon was continued with a valedictory session in which final speeches were made and each of the groups that had traveled to be at the event were recognized and allowed to say a few words. It was an emotional and touching time as everyone explained what the conference has meant to them and we in essence said goodbye.
After lunch we had some free time during which we could interact with the students and teachers, go to an exhibit about the college that was found in the library, shop at a bazaar set up by local crafts women, or all three. The exhibit was very interesting, consisting of many documents and items that were important in the history of the college and even the tea set of Isabella Thoburn herself. The bazaar was also very nice, and there were many things to buy at inexpensive prices with the proceeds going to a good cause. Generally, when you buy from a store they are not entirely fair to the people who make their goods, but many of the vendors made the items that they were selling with their own hands.
We all had a new kind of experience as far as the students were concerned. So many of the students wanted to take our picture or have their picture taken with us that we all felt like rock stars! It was our pleasure to pose with the girls and show our caring for them in that way.
The celebration was officially ended by a wonderful closing ceremony of hymns, leader/response, and prayer. The school choir sang beautifully, and in their white sarees they really looked like angels. This idea was driven home as we were leaving the chapel and they began to sing that iconic song that repeats “Hallelujah” again and again. Harriett Olson gave another message about the importance of peace to ensure access to education and urging us all to be peacemakers in the world. The celebration ended with a literal bang as fireworks were set off in front of the college and a jazz concert sponsored by the Cultural Attache of the American Embassy rounded out the evening. It was a great end to a great conference!
The afternoon was continued with a valedictory session in which final speeches were made and each of the groups that had traveled to be at the event were recognized and allowed to say a few words. It was an emotional and touching time as everyone explained what the conference has meant to them and we in essence said goodbye.
After lunch we had some free time during which we could interact with the students and teachers, go to an exhibit about the college that was found in the library, shop at a bazaar set up by local crafts women, or all three. The exhibit was very interesting, consisting of many documents and items that were important in the history of the college and even the tea set of Isabella Thoburn herself. The bazaar was also very nice, and there were many things to buy at inexpensive prices with the proceeds going to a good cause. Generally, when you buy from a store they are not entirely fair to the people who make their goods, but many of the vendors made the items that they were selling with their own hands.
We all had a new kind of experience as far as the students were concerned. So many of the students wanted to take our picture or have their picture taken with us that we all felt like rock stars! It was our pleasure to pose with the girls and show our caring for them in that way.
The celebration was officially ended by a wonderful closing ceremony of hymns, leader/response, and prayer. The school choir sang beautifully, and in their white sarees they really looked like angels. This idea was driven home as we were leaving the chapel and they began to sing that iconic song that repeats “Hallelujah” again and again. Harriett Olson gave another message about the importance of peace to ensure access to education and urging us all to be peacemakers in the world. The celebration ended with a literal bang as fireworks were set off in front of the college and a jazz concert sponsored by the Cultural Attache of the American Embassy rounded out the evening. It was a great end to a great conference!
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