Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Coastin'




Our family was blessed to attend the All Africa Mission Conference last week, held at Turtle Bay Resort in Watamu, Kenya. We decided to go some days ahead to enjoy the beach as a family, then attend the conference.













We had a great trip.



The waters of the Indian Ocean are warm…making for great boogy boarding and ocean fun. The low tide provided unending opportunities to walk across the reef, examining every tiny pool of water for fish, eels and crabs.







Silas and Isaac were enthralled with the Biggest Sand Pit ever…aka the beach and happily spent hours, digging, burying and burrowing through the white sands.




We went for long walks.

We laughed.



We rested.



We played.



And we braided...







The conference began on Monday evening and was a great time of fellowship. We were blessed to be with missionaries who came before us and led us through our first years of adjustments and settling in. We met new friends whose stories make us proud of how they have chosen to serve here. We shared with our peers about life on this continent…
And we met some amazing souls serving God in some very difficult places.



Our kids were thrilled to enjoy activities organized by volunteers from the Northwest Church in Seattle Washington. They painted T-shirts, went on walks, played games and enjoyed DVD’s. We were showered with fun gifts every day…taco seasoning, American shampoos and soaps, lotions, art supplies for the kids, koolaid…etc.









We praise God for safe travels, rich fellowship, fun memories…





And home. It feels nice to arrive back home. I’m thankful for that.

We, unfortunately, brought more home with us than fun souvenirs. Our family is cycling through the Mandatory End- of-Vacation sickness. This time in the form of cough and high fever. Thankfully, it didn’t hit us at the beach, but has been at its worst since arriving home.

Thanks to all who prayed for us this last week. Our travels were…eventful (more on that later)…but safe. And we are so thankful we were able to make this trip and participate in the conference.

4 comments:

Lori B. said...

I'm so thankful you guys had such a wonderful trip! So sorry you've all been so sick with many sleepless nights. We're praying for healing & much needed rest! Have an awesome prayer walk through the Kagote housing district tomorrow! May God be honored as the Holy Spirit prepares hearts & souls for the new church plant!

Love you guys,

Lori :-)

Lori Ann said...

the pictures are great. i hope you are all feeling better by now. Kinley looks like a teenager. i love her hair in braids!

Kelly Vaughn said...

I love seeing these pictures! I miss you! I can remember so easily such sweet times with you in Kenya last March! Glad you had a wonderful time with your family and glad you are home safe. You are always in my heart's thoughts and prayers. Love you dearly!
Kelly

Jim Coffey said...

Northwest Church in Seattle.
Is this the one with Milton Jones?

I'll quote from their web site

In 1978, the Northwest Church of Christ established a campus ministry at the University of Washington. This ministry was led by Milton Jones and William Lawrence. They, along with 16 others, moved to Seattle from Lubbock, Texas.

Milton was one of many ministers that Broadway in Lubbock sent out to plant campus ministries.

He and I were Saddle Tramps at Texas Tech.

Great Guy, Great Church. It's amazing the ripple effect that Lubbock Texas has had in the world for Christ.

Jim "humming It's a small world" Coffey