Update from Eileen and Solomon the Valedictorian

The following is an updated report from Eileen on a positively amazing day! Eileen's entry is followed by one from Solomon.

Today was absolutely amazing!!!

We got up early and arrived at Solomon's graduation by 8:30 am. It was scheduled to start at 9:00 but didn't start until after 10:00. After a few speeches they began to announce the 400 students names to come to the stage for diplomas. Several times there was a big cheer from the crowd and I asked Misganaw what that was about. He said they announced "HIGH GPA" with the name. After a long time they finally announced Solomon Bekele "VERY HIGH GPA" and the crowd cheered for him. Misganaw noticed that only one other girl had this announcement of "VERY HIGH GPA". So then we looked at each other and said,

"Imagine if he won that big trophy on the stand for Valedictorian???"

We all started to get nervous for him and I started to pray. Then all of a sudden, the last name was called and then they announced the new Valedictorian is SOLOMON BEKELE!!! He also won the honor award with the highest GPA in the Marketing Division then the highest GPA in the entire school!!! Needless to say, Misganaw, Georgie, and I lost it!! We started jumping up and down cheering and crying all at the same time. WE WERE A SPECTACLE FOR SURE!!! As he humbly walked up to the stage he was in shock. The school cheered as they also were very surprised!! Solomon was the first and only student from Kolfe to be given a scholarship to attend this college. He made history for the school as the first student from the Marketing Division to win and then of course being an orphan boy from Kolfe topped the cake!!!

So after graduation, all the students surrounded him to take pictures with him and congratulate him. Especially the girls!!! One of the administrators then gave him a card inviting him to a special luncheon at the school. Misganaw's family had planned a graduation party for him so we had to quickly call people to have them come later than scheduled.

We attended the school lunch where we heard great things about Solomon. One of the administrators wants to meet with him about the next step, which is either a job or getting a scholarship to another level of college!! What a miracle. We are meeting with her on Tuesday!!

Then it was off to Misganaw's house for the celebration. His dad was at the graduation but had to wait outside because they only let parents in. When we were all outside for photos and congrats by all, Tesfaye (Misganaw's Dad) told us that everyone was talking about his AMERICAN MOM being here for him! They were all so happy for him, and amazed that she would come all the way from America. He said everyone in the whole place was talking about it. WE WERE THE ONLY WHITE PEOPLE THERE IN A CROWD OF APPROX 1500 PEOPLE.

Seven boys came to the party from Kolfe and brought him flowers as is the tradition. They were also shocked that he had achieved such an award!! Solomon was walking in the clouds today in shock. They had a cake with his name on it, which was another first for his lifetime. They had decorated with grass throughout the entire house which is a custom of celebration; there were banners all around in English and Amharic saying "Congratulations Solomon Bekele Mestas!" Misganaw's mom put out a huge traditional celebration dinner as if Solomon were her only son!! We are absolutely amazed at the abundance of love and support that Solomon has received. He is so humble and said he thought that they had called the wrong name. He is also a star in their yearbook. An entire page is dedicated to him!! When they had him on stage he held up his trophy, flowers and blew a big kiss out to the audience ....he said this is for you mom!! Are you crying yet??? I am a bucket of tears!! He told everyone without God and His Mom Eileen he would not be here today! He went to every teacher, administrator and official of the school and personally thanked them and shook hands with them. HE WAS/IS AMAZING!!!!!!!

After several hours of party and fellowship with Misganaw's family and his friends, they took all the Kolfe boys to see his new room. They all hung out and talked and laughed. It was a beautiful sight!!

EXCEPT FOR THE KOLFE BOYS THAT DON'T YET HAVE THIS TESTIMONY!!
I am on another mission folks. The LORD has spoken to me again!! These amazing boys were so happy for SOLOMON, hugging and kissing him but in their hearts I know they were wishing for a loving Mom and Dad to come into their lives to love and support them like Solomon has found.

WILL YOU PLEASE PRAY AND ASK THE LORD IF YOU CAN BE A MOM TO A KOLFE BOY TOO?? IF YOU DON'T, YOU WILL MISS OUT ON SUCH AN AMAZING BLESSING!! THESE BOYS ARE ALL MINE UNTIL SOME OF YOU STEP FORWARD AND TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH!!

Solomon was the only orphan boy at this school. If we had not been in his life and sent him money for a suit, he would have been the only one in jeans. If we had not stepped out in faith to go to his graduation ceremony, he would have accepted this award in jeans and would have walked home to KOLFE ALL ALONE!!!! There would have been NO CELEBRATION, NO CAKE, NO ONE TO HOLD HIM IN THEIR ARMS WITH A MOTHER'S LOVE, HUG AND KISS AND TELL HIM HOW PROUD SHE IS OF HIM. There would have been no party at Misganaw's House, No new bedroom to show off and God would not have been so VISIBLE!! The LORD has clearly orchestrated every single event that has taken place in the life of Solomon and our family!! I SIT HERE IN ETHIOPIA WITH SOLOMON AT MY SIDE AS WE WEEP WITH JOY AND AWE AT THE AMAZING MIRACULOUS GOD WE SERVE AND LOVE WITH ALL OUR HEARTS!!

TO HIM BE THE GLORY!

From Solomon:

Hello this is Solomon,

Firstly I would like to say thank you to everyone who made it contribution for mom and George to come here and join with me for my graduation celebration. It is very amazing day for me. Because it is my graduation celebration day. Because of your contribution I celebrate my graduation with Mom and George. I am graduated from INFONET College today. Infonet college graduate more than 400 students. I studied marketing. I am the top scorer of my class and also I am the top scorer of the whole infonet college graduated students. This is a Miracle. Every one is surprising by this including me. How amazing God work is? I cried to God and he answered my all my prayer. Thank you God!!! I didn’t do this thing only by myself but by the help of God, my family in America and all the people that helping mom and George to come here and join with me during my celebration time. With out your help this thing is impossible. This is Just a beginning. God has more plans for my life. Every time and day he speaks to me and going with me wherever I go. He gave me the entire thing I asked him before. Everyone Praise God name because he did a miracle in Ethiopia especially for Orphan boys. Now I got the answer of my prayer but I pray for other Kolfe orphanage boys God give to them all a blessed family just like me. Because of I got a beautiful family in America I know how God is love orphan boys and how he is good for all kinds of human kinds. I hadn’t hope also but after I got my precious family everything is changed. I can say they bring my life back. So, you all Christian people God call you to protect orphan specially Kolfe boys. If you did this he blessed and give for you glorious life. I pray for all of you people. Pray for me too. God bless you all.


“THE FORGOTTEN AND HOPELESS ORPHAN BOY GOT A FAMILY AND SCORE THE HIGHEST MARK FROM HIS DEPARTMENT AND FROM HIS COLLEGE” don’t ask why because it is just a MIRACLE!!!!