Today is a very special day for me. My baby, Taonga, started her Biotech studies at the University of Newcastle. It all feels like a dream - it feels like I will wake up to find that it was all a dream and my baby is still that little vulnerable baby who was born like yesterday. And yet it is not so. O how quickly they grow. I remember all the milestones in her life - the first time I saw her sleeping peacefully in that hospital crib, occasionally yawning exposing her dimpled cheeks, the first time she stood on her two little feet, the first step she made with arms stretched towards me and the widest smile on her face . I remember the first time we took her to nursery at Auntie Becky's in Kitwe, the first time she started formal school at Nkana trust School. It all feels like it was only yesterday. I remember all the exciting years of primary school - at Nkana Trust in Kitwe, Zambia, then at Saxonwold in Johannesburg, and then at Kimberley Junior in Kimberley South Africa. I remember the first time we walked her to her class at Aspley State School in Brisbane, Australia, being warmly welcomed by her teacher Mr Bates - a very special teacher! I recall her graduation from Andergrove State School in Mackay and moving on to Mackay North High School. Then there was the stint at Emerald High School in Central Queensland, culminating in the move to Lambton High School in Newcastle where she had a memorable 4 years of her High School time.
I recall the excitement when she for the first time sat behind the wheel to learn how to drive. It was such a joy to teach her to drive and now she is a competent and accomplished operator.

And today is yet another milestone for her and for all of us in the family - my wife, and Taonga's young sisters Lusungu and Elizabeth. My baby has started Uni! How exciting. We dont know what lies ahead - but one thing we are sure of is the assurance from the song I sang all the way home when we first took her from the maternity ward at Nkana Mine Hospital - "...this child can face uncertain days because He lives..." I can only thank God for bringing her this far and trust Him for her future. Thank you Lord