About two weeks ago, December 16, 2023 was a special day for my son and the entire family on a whole.

My daughter and I traveled to Melbourne, Florida to rejoice with my son as he graduated from Florida Institute of Technology.

It was a long journey with a few bumps and potholes on the way but with the favor and mercy of God, he made it.

Reflection on the journey to graduation

In 2020, during the peak of the COVID pandemic, my son said to me that he would like to attend college.

My son wanted to study Aeronautical Science at Embry Riddle. After checking out this college I realized that the cost was way above my pocket.

As you might have guess by now, I am a single mom. Furthermore, my daughter was still enrolled in College at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Therefore, I told my son to check out another cheaper school. He did some research and found Florida Institute of Technology.

Once again when I checked the tuition for this college, although it was cheaper than Embry Riddle, it was still way above my pocket.

I told my son that I cannot afford to send him to college. Of course he was very disappointed.

However, that night while praying, I felt strongly in my spirit that the Lord was rebuking me for denying my son a college education.

The Lord told me that I could not afford to send my son to college but He could afford it because He promised to be a Father to the fatherless.

So I decided to research a school in the Caribbean. I discovered a university in Puerto Rico and told my son to apply to it and also to Florida Institute of Technology.

The application process for the latter school was long and tedious and he almost gave up but I told him to press on.

After a couple weeks, both schools sent my son acceptance letters. I wanted him to accept the school in Puerto Rico because it was cheaper and within my budget.

However, my son was not keen on attending the school in Puerto Rico because he felt that learning a second language would be stressful and he preferred to study in the USA mainland.

I believe that God made the decision for us because Florida Tech was very organized with excellent communication while the school in Puerto Rico was very disorganized with poor communication.

Therefore, we decided to pursue Florida Tech. But there was one big problem.

The tuition and other school fees totaled approximately US $58,000 per annum. Where will I get this money?

My only solution to conquer this giant was prayer. I reached out to my church family and members of this blogging community to pray with me.

I, therefore, want to express my sincere thanks to everyone for your prayers.

I want to make special mention of Dawn of Drawing Closer to Christ who personally reached out to me via email to encourage and pray with me. She even sent me links to agencies where my son could apply for scholarship.

Thank you, Dawn. Please visit her blog. She is is a powerful woman of God and you will be encouraged and motivated by her inspirational devotions. I personally look forward to her devotions each week.

However, my son was not eligible for a US scholarships because he is not a US citizen. He was also not eligible for a local scholarship in the BVI, where we reside, because he is not a citizen of the BVI.

The situation seemed impossible.

But, I continued to pray!

But God…

The Answer to our Prayers

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Philippians 4:19-20 NKJV)

The Lord promised to supply all our needs and once more He came through for us.

The following is a break down of how God provided the tuition for the entire three years that my son was in college.

1. The first Breakthrough

Florida Tech told my son that they would give him a scholarship of $10,000 per year if he could send proof that he was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa – International College Honor Society at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College where he completed his Associate Degree in Information Technology.

However, my son did not collect the certificate after his graduation about two years ago so we presumed it was lost.

But, we decided to visit the Community College hoping that they would have a copy. We went inside the main office and spoke to a lady who was sitting at a desk.

Immediately, the lady picked up a paper from her desk and handed it to my son. It was the honor certificate!

She did not search for the certificate. It was as if she was expecting us. This could only be the hands of God at work.

We quickly emailed the honor certificate to Florida Tech and they immediately awarded my son the $10,000 scholarship.

2. The second breakthrough

My son had received a private scholarship to attend the local college in the BVI to complete the Associate Degree in Information Technology. He learned that He could apply for another scholarship from this foundation to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree.

After sending many emails to the person in charge of this scholarship, he was finally accepted a few weeks before the tuition was due.

The private scholarship awarded my son $24, 000 per annum for the duration of the course.

What a miracle! Thank you Lord!

He now has a total of $34,000 in scholarships with a balance of $24,000 per year.

My son was partially on his way to college.

3. Supernatural favor

Even though the balance of $24,000 was significantly less, I still could not afford it but I decided to pushed forward.

The Lord granted us favor in the middle of the COVID pandemic.

As a result of the pandemic, the first year at school was done remotely.

The fees decreased for the two semesters so my balance was significantly less and I was able to get a small bank loan to cover my portion of the first semester.

4. The Setback

However, the enemy always seek ways to to hinder the plan of God in your life. He decided to attack.

My son became severely ill and was unable to complete his final exams in the first semester.

I reached out to you, my friends, on this powerful blogging community and also my church family for prayers.

You prayed for my son. A special thanks to each and everyone of you who prayed for us during those turbulent times.

After two months in the hospital, my son recovered. He was able to complete the final exams for the first semester but he missed the second semester at school.

However, he was able to complete two subjects during the summer with the private scholarship that was deferred when he was ill during the semester that he missed.

5. The Comeback

The following fall semester of 2021, the school was reopened for “in person” classes.

I was now faced with my portion of $24,000 for the year. My house in Jamaica was on the market for about one year and it finally came through at the exact time when I needed the money.

The proceeds from the sale covered one full year at college and miscellaneous expenses to settle him in the dorm.

In the school year, 2022-2023, I was faced with another school fee of $24,000.

I must mentioned that the total school fees include health insurance, boarding in the school dorm, food from the cafeteria, and tuition.

My solution to this dilemma was to setup a GoFundMe, but the Lord had a better solution.

He told me to search for a second job.

During and after the COVID pandemic, the income from my job decreased drastically and so I was forced to search for a part time job.

Once again, the Lord provided and I was able to pay my portion of the fees on a monthly basis through the school’s payment plan. What a mighty God we serve!

Thank you, Lord!

Completion

Finally, thanks be to God, Jadon has completed the Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Aviation Management – Magna Cum Laude.

All I can say is that it was by the grace and favor of God.

The graduation ceremony was awesome. It rained heavily for the entire day but I considered the rain supernatural blessings from God.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

(Philippians 1:6 NKJV)

I am confident that God will finish the great plan that He started in your life.

He will strengthen and preserve you until the end because He is more than capable of providing for your needs.

The Speaker at Jadon’s graduation ceremony summed up his journey to graduation in one powerful statement:

“A setback is a setup for a comeback!”

Congratulations, Jadon!

As the meaning of your name indicate – “You are a praise to God and a miracle from God.”

Help me praise and thank God for His love and mercy to all of us.

Praise the Lord!