Wonderful 5th graders, very smart, definitely maturing toward the more challenging study years with a touch of teenage silliness. They made quick work of the bead bracelets and answered story questions promptly. The playground time afterward was dynamic with many different games going on simultaneously. Some of the 4th graders retuned to say goodbye. I (Diane H. – Terunesh – the good one) tried to treasure up their names and faces and just share in their joy and sweetness.

Next came a celebration and blessing time with our student helpers. We gave each a blessing based on the characteristics that we had seen in them, and a study book for a favorite subject for the National Exam at the end of this school year. We also got to play Pictionary with them and fly a kite with one who had received it for his birthday.

The evening came quickly with a traditional injira and wot dinner with the staff to celebrate the week and honor their work with the students. We performed our skit with paper bags with body parts on our heads. (theme: many parts; one body – 1corinth 12:20) Our staff counterparts seemed to enjoy the silliness of the Americans. Also, had Getachew the librarian play some of the Christian Amharic songs that he had composed.
I enjoyed sitting with the injira and wat cooks and some of the ladies from the Administration. Their faces were etched with kindness and love. They taught me to eat and shared their lives and child stories. One was even just learning Amharic as she came from a different area. They were strong, beautiful examples of triumph in the midst of tremendous personal struggles.