Before our regular summer activities, including Vacation Bible School (VBS) and tutoring, we wanted to give the children and young people something they deeply needed: a chance to pause, breathe, laugh, play, and refresh their minds after a long school year. This year, we organized day trips for children ages 6–10 and 11–15, and overnight retreats for 16–19-year-olds and young adults over 20. Each group had its own experience, planned with their age, interests, and needs in mind. Although each retreat looked different, they all began in the same way. Before the trips, fun, and laughter began, we gathered together and committed the day to God.
Round One: A Day of Wonder, Laughter, and Play
For our first retreat, we took children ages 6–10 to visit an amusement park. It was a day to explore, to laugh freely, and to enjoy experiences they might not have often had. The children enjoyed swings, a merry-go-round, a chain of cars that moved like a little train, different games, and VR (virtual reality) experiences. It seemed that every time we thought they might be ready to stop, they found another game they wanted to try.
One of our talented children used her creativity to paint beautiful designs on the children’s faces. Soon, the children were transformed into their favorite characters and designs. Some became Spider-Man and Batman while others proudly wore butterflies, Mickey Mouse, and many other colorful designs. The face painting added another layer of excitement to an already joyful day.
After spending the morning playing and exploring, it was finally time for lunch. We went to a restaurant where the children were served pizza, burgers, and soft drinks.
The restaurant also had an indoor play area, and the children went from one activity to another, jumping on trampolines, playing different indoor games, running around, and challenging themselves. Eventually, tired but happy, they gathered together for one final treat: ice cream.
Round Two: Learning, Exploring, and Making a Splash
The second retreat was for the 11–to-15-year-olds. At this age, children are beginning to discover their interests, imagining what they might become in the future and asking more questions about the world around them. So, rather than making the retreat only about entertainment, we created an experience where they could learn, explore, and have fun at the same time.
Our first stop was Bishoftu Engineering, where the children had an opportunity to see trucks, cars, boats, and other vehicles being assembled. The children could look closely at the different components and begin to understand how separate pieces eventually become one functioning vehicle. For some, it was their first glimpse into the world of mechanical and industrial engineering. The experience allowed the children to meet people working in different fields, ask questions, observe their work, and imagine possibilities for their own futures.
After a delicious Ethiopian lunch, it was time to play at the water park. There was plenty of laughter, playful competition, and the occasional scream of excitement as the children went down the slides. They especially enjoyed the wave pool where they could experience the feeling of being carried by the waves. For many of them, it was one of the highlights of the entire retreat.
One of the girls had an especially memorable reaction after trying one of the bigger slides. After coming down, she looked both excited and overwhelmed and said, “I thought that I saw death eye to eye!” Her dramatic words immediately made everyone laugh. For her, the ride had been far more intense than she had expected, but she was also proud that she had taken the challenge.
The retreat had achieved both purposes we had hoped for. The children had learned something new about engineering and the world of work, but they’d also had the freedom to play, laugh, get wet, and simply enjoy being children.
Round Three: Rest, Reflection, and Lasting Memories
The third retreat was a two-day trip for our 16–to-19-year-olds. At this age, the young people are growing in independence, thinking more seriously about their futures, making important decisions, and beginning to understand more deeply who they want to become. We wanted this retreat to be more than a fun trip. It was an opportunity for them to rest from a demanding school year, strengthen friendships, reflect on their lives, and draw closer to God.
After a delicious brunch, the group headed to the water park! They laughed, competed, encouraged one another, and made the most of every activity. After spending the day at the park, we travelled to our accommodations. There was a beautiful view of the lake, green surroundings, forest scenery, and a peaceful atmosphere that felt very different from the busy rhythm of life in Addis Ababa. The children immediately fell in love with the place.
After dinner, the group gathered around a campfire. Our volunteer, Mesay, shared his life journey, using his story to encourage the children to think seriously about their own lives. He challenged them to regularly ask themselves an important question: Are the choices I am making and the life I am building pleasing to God? The young people listened, shared, and considered the kind of people they wanted to become. By the end of the evening, they made a personal commitment to seek God as they make decisions about their future.
On the second morning, the teenagers came together to hear our volunteer Tsehay share the biblical image of the potter and the clay. The message reminded them that their lives are in God’s hands, and they can allow God to shape and guide them.
Then the children participated in group games, filling the morning with laughter, friendly competition, teamwork, and encouragement. After lunch, they rested for a while before beginning the return trip to Addis Ababa. On the way back, there was one more surprise: a stop at a pizza restaurant! The group enjoyed pizza and soft drinks of their choice, ending the trip with another meal that felt like a special treat.
Round Four: A Journey to Wenchi
The fourth and final retreat was for our college and university students. Our destination was Wenchi, and as we travelled, the busy surroundings slowly gave way to mountains, valleys, green landscapes and open spaces. When we finally arrived, our tour guides welcomed us and took us through the experiences planned for the day. We tasted natural mineral water, went horseback riding, and visited a mud bath. Everywhere we went seemed to offer another beautiful background for photographs.
As evening came, our guides took us to our lodges. After settling into our rooms, we gathered around a campfire. Our partner from Ambo, Mat, led the devotion that evening. After a relevant introduction on the topic of education, Mat moved from knowledge to understanding and from understanding to wisdom. He pointed to God as the true source of wisdom. The message reminded the group that true success is not only about what we achieve but also about who we become and what we do with what God has entrusted to us.
On the second day, we headed to Crater Lake for a boat ride. The mountains, greenery, water, and open sky created a beautiful setting that made everyone want to capture the moment. After the boat ride, we gathered for coffee and tea, giving everyone another opportunity to rest, talk, stay warm, and enjoy the morning before beginning our journey back.
With the Wenchi trip, our fourth retreat came to an end, bringing the series of trips and retreats to a close. Four groups. Four different age categories. Four different experiences. The youngest children experienced the freedom and wonder of play. The 11–to-15 year-olds combined learning with adventure. The 16–to-19-year-olds experienced friendship, recreation, reflection, and deeper spiritual conversations. And the college and university students were given space to step away from their academic and career pressures, reconnect with nature, and think about the foundation of their lives. In different ways, each retreat carried the same purpose: to refresh young minds after a long school year and prepare their hearts for the summer.
Thank you for your support that made these retreats possible!