Having re-vamped the schedule last night, the team awoke excited to start our second full day of teaching. Breakfast was of course, delicious, thanks to our wonderful cook, Besa and spirits were high in the guest house as the students began to arrive.

My small group was more comfortable with each other and with me today, and our discussion was facilitated by the discovery of which students spoke English well enough to translate effectively for the rest of the group. We discussed Psalm 1:14, focusing upon the metaphor of one’s relationship with God as a tree. Each person drew a picture of their “tree” and explained to the others the reasons for particular features. One girl in my group said (shyly and through a translating friend) “My tree is small, because I am young, and my relationship with God is still very little. But in the future I hope to grow my relationship, and have many fruits.”
I overheard Sharon’s group teaching her the Amharic terms for tree, water, dust, truth, word, law and other key words from the verses. Learning Amharic has become one of our most enjoyable interactions with the students, even the very young kids are thrilled to hear us try our utmost to come close to pronouncing “ach” (hand) or “ endemen aderachu” (good morning).

After the discussion came to a close in my small group, I suggested that we use the rest of the time to play a game. I had hoped the kids would teach me an Ethiopian game, but alas, no, they demanded to learn one from the United States. So I decided upon “duck duck goose”. Of course, in the cross cultural spirit, I asked the word for “duck” in Amharic.

“Duckee”
“And goose?” I asked
Blank stares.
“A duck, but with a long neck?”
“ostrich?”
“Close enough!”
And the excellent game of “Duckee, Duckee, Ostrich!” was born.

I believe I speak for all the high school teachers when I say that classes today were stellar. In Sharon’s science class, it was found that the tenth graders know more chemistry than we do. Steve’s group could be seen test-flying balsa wood gliders and paper airplanes on a grassy hill outside the classroom. The English class that I taught (with Sara’s excellent help) went very smoothly, and in grading the essays we received today, we have come into a much greater understanding of the students levels of English.

Duckee, Duckee, Ostrich made a second appearance during free time today, when a group of about sixty students, both elementary and high schoolers assembled and learned to play through Sara’s, Emily’s and my example. For me this was the first moment of real friendship with the students here, and it opened all of us up to an exciting afternoon when we got to really play with and talk to the kids.

Exciting news for the three teens, some Ethiopian girls did our hair for us today! We have been admiring the beautiful intricate cornrows and braids, wishing we were brave enough to ask how we could get our hair done. Today during free time, a few girls came up to us and asked to braid our hair. I was amazed at the gentleness and speed with which they tamed my hair into tight cornrows in the “traditional Ethiopian style”.

So, in summary, the day was a success, and our program is off to a great start! Look forward to more exciting updates.