Many of our friends and family already know about our decision to return to the States in June 2015, at the end of this school year. We don't want anyone to get the impression, however, that working at Bingham is not fulfilling or that spending this year in Ethiopia is not an amazing experience. Thanks to your continued prayers and giving we get to be a part of the story God is writing in this corner of the world, even if it will only be a short chapter of that book...
Students on Bingham's soccer field for a school photo.
Ati's classmates celebrate Ethiopia Day Ati's KG2 class celebrated Ethiopia Day by wearing traditional clothes and experiencing their very own coffee ceremony (minus the tasting!)
| At school, I work as the Learning Support Coordinator and as the 6th Grade English teacher. We've recently been studying the novel, Tuck Everlasting. We've been reflecting on the cycle of life and death, tying in truths from Ecclesiastes 3: "For everything there is a season." Pray for the students to learn to make the most of each day of their lives by taking hold of that life which is truly life, found only in walking with Christ. |  Mark's 6th Grade English Class |
One aspect of Bingham I absolutely love are the opportunities the school plans for students to learn outside the classroom walls. In October, I had the joy of joining my 6th grade class in the beautiful forests of Suba National Park, about a 90 minute drive from Addis. Camp fires, baboons, and hikes were all part of our experience as we learned what Creation has to tell us about God.
6th Grade enjoyed two nights in Suba Forest.
You can imagine how happy I was, a month later, to be invited to join the 9th and 10th Grade PE Class on their overnight hike in the mountains of that same national park. Captivating is the best way I can describe the experience of hiking through majestic hills of golden wheat fields, rugged cliffs, and cozy village compounds.
9th & 10th Grade PE Class in the mountains outside Addis.
Meanwhile, Charis spent a grueling six weeks of intensive Amharic lessons at language school. Inspite of the language overload, she really enjoyed her teacher and classmates.
Charis with her language school classmates and teacher
Now she volunteers once a week at Strong Families, a Christian day care that works at orphan prevention by enabling mothers to work during the day while their children are cared for.
Another unique opportunity for our family was visiting Ati's old orphanage. Unfortunately, the children have been moved to a facility outside the city, and the location is just too far for us to visit regularly. But we did enjoy a morning of loving on the children who are still there. We couldn't help but think that one of those children might still have been Ati... Pray for the little ones at Faith Orphanage and for the millions of orphans all across the country.
Ati's former orphanage
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Pray for our family, that we'll make the most of every opportunity while we're here.
This shows where just a handful of students at Bingham are from. This map illustrates the unique place that is Addis, and specifically Bingham Academy. The map represents only a handful of my students. They come from all over the world. Imagine the potential impact!
And students represent only a small part of the Bingham family, as I found out just yesterday at the school's Christmas "Gibsha." It was amazing to see all the beautiful families represented by Bingham's Ethiopian staff. It's an understatement to say that Bingham's ministry could not be carried out without these faithful co-workers.
Bingham's All-Staff Christmas Party
Pray for the ministry here at Bingham and in Addis: that in the hands of the Master, our broken attempts at touching lives will be like the broken bread that fed thousands. That the result will be multiplied praises to the Author of Life.
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