Tents and chairs were set up and ready from the night before and music was already playing. Our teams were putting the final touches on an original play, songs, and dances that the kids in the village had created over the course of the past week. We were ready to receive about 30 VIP's -- government officials and community leaders -- and about 40 chiefs from neighboring villages.

It was the opening celebration for Chilinza Primary School's new campus. The school had been there for ages, but everything about it felt new. The old classrooms were torn down and new classrooms with built in their place. The new buildings were designed to let in lots of light, while keeping its students cool and shaded. There was running water for handwashing, a functioning restroom and doors that closed and locked. Though not yet staffed or stocked, a kitchen and sickbay were built and the hope of a feeding program and basic health care was in the air.

The biggest change, however, was the introduction of electricity. The school was now outfitted with solar panels and a small row of lights in each classroom. Learning could now happen at any time of day and any time of year. It was clear that education was valued in Chilinza village. The school had power.

There was a lot to celebrate on that day of celebration. The village committee members put on their neon-colored vests and headed to their places, and more and community members flooded in. Our team was getting pumped up. But, as people shuffled in, we found out that there was an emergency session of some government body convening and nearly all of our honored guests would not be attending. It was too late to cancel or move the event -- everything was ready and so many people had already arrived. So, we kept going. After all, the people who we were most wanting to celebrate with, were the people in the community and those were the people who were quickly filling the soccer pitch and ready to begin.

We began our program and it was beautiful. Our line up of speakers kept growing as other high-ranking community leaders arrived. Between speeches, children sang and danced and spoke about their dreams and struggles. Then it was time for our final speaker. He stood up from the sea of empty VIP seat around him and walked over to overflowing chiefs’ section. He spoke to them, then he sat crossed legged in the dirt in front of them. He told them that he wanted to make sure that it was clear that he was not above them. By this time, the entire venue was packed with thousands of people, who were a moment ago, restless from sitting in the sun for hours, but now transfixed at this unexpected gesture. The speaker continued to honor members of the community who were instrumental in facilitating the building of the school and paving the way for the development of the village. The speaker called one of those community members forward and stood to receive him. Then, he reminded the crowds of what we were celebrating. And then the speaker, a quiet and stoic man, called for the music to return and he began to dance with the community member and, very quickly, with the thousands of people in attendance.

The program concluded and everyone was dismissed for lunch in groups -- VIP's first, chiefs next, students, then adults. Just 2 of the 30 VIP's were present, but though we were expecting less than 40 chiefs, about 100 had come through. Our team scrambled to redistribute food plates and find and wash any bowls or dishes nearby. Somehow, everyone not only ate and had their fill, but there was more than enough food to go around. After a late lunch and an epic dance party on the soccer pitch, we began to bid our guests goodbye. It was at that time that the sun began to set and the lights of the new school campus began to turn on.

There was something about that moment when the lights came on that held a greater significance than any other time we've seen lights come on. We could see what was happening around us with a greater depth and clarity than we could when the day began.

Hope is in the future, so we must move forward to find it. It felt like the lights were showing us all the way to the future and therefore to hope. At that moment, it was difficult to think only about how things are now because we were all overcome with thoughts and dreams of what could be.

We're headed back in about a week to uncover another chapter of the story of Chilinza village. Can't wait to see what's next.