Biblical Integration in Education Workshop in Hawassa
Saturday: Our day began with a 5:30 van ride to the airport for a short flight from Addis Ababa to Hawassa.
The airport in Hawassa was surprisingly nice, but when we walked outside to meet our driver and saw the “car” we would take to drive into town we realized that we weren’t in the big city anymore. This feeling was accentuated by the fact that we shared the road into town with multiple donkey carts hauling water from the lake.
Our workshop was held at the Yehiwet Berhan Church of Hawassa, a large Pentecostal church that grew out of the ministry of Finnish missionaries. We had 33 teachers from a number of schools in the area attending our training, but unlike Addis, everything we taught had to be translated into Amharic because the English level here is noticeably lower.
Even though our classroom was filled with sounds from various choirs practicing, workers building something close by, and vehicles passing by, we had a good and productive time together. Much was new to them, so we progressed slowly. Of particular interest was the discussion of the myth of neutrality in education since it is used to shut down all talk of God in schools here, even Christian schools. Pray for them as they wrestle with how to balance submission to governing authorities and faithfulness to God’s Word. Part of the closing prayer today was a beautiful song about the greatness of God (listen to the link below)
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As with yesterday’s workshop, a highlight for us was having teachers express a sincere interest in studying with us — which is exactly what we asked you to pray for! The local host of the event, Efrata (pictured to my right above), is a statistics professor at Hawasse University; she has already committed to joining the program and has recruited her husband, Daniel, an engineer. Both have higher degrees and are involved in helping local teachers and leaders, but they want something more: A distinctly Christian view of education. Pray one or both of them will be willing to serve as a Facilitator of the Hawasse PS78-TEP/MINTS—Ethiopia Study Team. (Below: Efrata, Daniel, and their children stopped by to say goodbye on Sunday.)
At the end of the day, we took lots and lots of pictures — Even though communication was difficult, God helped us break through the barriers and make real connections! And have fun!
Below are just a few pics of an extremely interesting weekend! Starting with the cows blocking the road!
Lots of historical parks and statutes to heroes in this very old city.
One of the many Orthodox churches in Ethiopia
And now for the curious among you — YES! We managed to fit the three of us, the driver, our workshop materials,
and our overnight bags into that little car! For a thirty-minute drive! Oh my!! It took us a while to unfold.
