Sunday night I had the distinct privilege and honor to graduate the first class of DIBOR. Marty, Ephraim, Nate, Michael, Brittney and Sian (left to right, back to front) all completed their first year (DIBOR 1). And this being the first class–the pioneers of the program–I was especially proud.
But another emotion certainly had a prominent place…one of extreme awe: That the Lord would allow me to see such a day. Have you ever had a moment where complete mistakes, or things you never intended to be more than a fleeting thought, became realities? Not to get too sentimental, but my children are like that. Neither of them were “planned” (praise God!) and yet have become the greatest little blessings of my life. When they both were born, I found myself saying (at the risk of letting you all be very sarcastic), “How did this happen?”
When I first came up with the word Dibor, I hardly thought it would go beyond the Word document I was working on, let alone the name of an international school or a title of an actual human being. And when these students first arrived and we were loading mattresses into the church office building, all I could think to myself was, “Why are earth are these people here? Are they crazy? Am I crazy?”
The point being, what truly do we ever intend to be something amazing? What ideas originate in their most infant stage from our own selves? What good really comes from us?
My conclusion: nothing. It all comes from the Father.
Many thanks to my beautiful wife for not only supporting this vision, but for inspiring it to continue. And to all our staff: Brad, Robin, Chrystelle, Pastor David, Pastor Kirk; those who supported from the side lines, J, Jackie, Linda, Christian and our numerous guest speakers; and to Tim Woods who first presented the idea of making real Dibor–thank you, swordbrother. Much love to Joseph and Melinda, our two students who are halfway through their first year, as well as to those Associate Level students who made it through year 1. And finally, my congratulations to Dana and Sarah who graduated from the TYM program. Well done everyone!
Christopher Hopper
President
