Day 12: Last Day in Sendafa!

Sendafa Back to Addis

Today was day one of STEM!  The goal was to introduce them to the scientific method and how to be inquisitive of the world to learn more about the One who created it.  Today’s experiment / question was “What happens when you add water to corn starch?”  We taught them how to use the scientific method to capture the question, research, and hypothesis. 

We then moved into testing our hypothesis by making a significant mess outside mixing corn starch and water which makes…a non-Newtonian liquid!  I won’t go into details, but look up the definition and then mix 1 part water to 2 parts corn starch.  Let us know what happens. ;)

Emily’s guitar-playing led us through much of our music repertoire; the kids wouldn’t let us stop singing songs!

We cleaned up, had lunch, and then headed back to Addis Ababa. 

Getting out of the little village that was home to the retreat center was a challenge. Like a maze, we would come around one corner, only to find that stretch of road under construction or full of impassible mud!  So back we would go to the last possible turn.  With the help of many locals, we wove our way back to the main road and away we went!

The teenagers were away for school in the afternoon, so we got to spend time with the kids 13 and younger and teach them how to to fill out the scientific method in their lab journals.  It was a really nice time to spend more focused time with them.  It also provided time for Ms. Jenny and I to prep for the STEM lessons for the next day: bridges and the infamous EGG DROP!  Check back tomorrow for the results!

We checked back into our hotel for a quick shower and then we were off again for a home-cooked dinner from Belay and Koki at their house.  IT WAS AMAZING!!!  Chips, salsa, rice, coconut cauliflower, tomato soup, bread (gluten free of course 😉 ), and great fellowship. Some of the food at the retreat center didn’t agree with some of us, so this meal was a real treat and we ate until our bellies were full.

We got to spend time with their kids and talk about Ethiopian schooling and its challenges. Very similar issues as in the States, but with a few twists. We ended the night with about 50 requests to be “tucked in” by the kids (the ultimate stall tactic—been there, done that) and we made our way back to the hotel, tired, happy and looking forward to a good night’s sleep on comfy beds (granted not very “mission trippy”). 

Once again we saw God carry us through the day on limited sleep and continue to heal members of the team. He helped us have fun and build relationships with the kids, with the ultimate goal of letting them know they’re not alone.  They are loved by those on the other side of the world and most importantly, by God, who would do anything for them, including sacrificing His Son.

Thanks again for supporting us on this trip.  It is an experience of a lifetime!

Sean Sr.