Retreat on the Coast

We were blessed to have a retreat at Diani Beach on the coast of Kenya with our FIC directors, Howard and Aileen.
Honestly, the whole trip could have been a disaster but we chose to make it a blessing.  The girls were recovering from serious colds, I got it and had plugged ears the whole trip from flying, and the others all got it too to various degrees.  And it rained every day!  We were told it never rains on the coast - until we came.  Some day were cloudy with occasional showers and some day were all day rain.  It really could have spoiled our time, but we have amazing kids and positive directors and we were able to have a great time.  We swam in the rain, walked the beach while it sprinkled, played games, eat great food, and chose to be thankful for our VERY MANY  blessings!  What an attitude change when you focus and how blessed we are.  God is with us and so we are blessed.  His world is amazing, creative and big - and we get to see and experience it.  I have a loving husband and we have thankful, fun kids to be with.  Our director and his wife shower us with encouragement and we enjoy being together.  We had a great time in a beautiful house with a pool and a great cook who make us lobster, shrimp, fish and other Kenyan treats.  The kids loved playing on the beach - and we loved playing with them!  We collected sea shells, make sand castles, and swam in the Indian Ocean.  The tide is crazy there, the beach is beautiful white sand, and the water clear.  The dark clouds make the sand and sea even more beautiful with the contrast.  It was low season and with the rain we had the beach to ourselves.  Lots more I could share but I will let the pictures tell our story.  I praise God for His world and my family that I get to share it with.       

Howard and Aileen are our kids African grandparents.  They love and encourage our kids so much!

Our house for the week - across the street from the beach.

Kenya beaches are different from other places.  You have lots of people sell you things, ask to take you on boat rides, or camel rides.

Masai sellers and now friends

We had so much fun swimming with our kids!

Swimming in the rain!

We had fresh lobster being on the coast (and affordable).

Fisherman (snorkel and spear gun) came in with blow fish and octopus! 

Grace found this adorable turtle she really wanted to pay to take with her on the plane

We really enjoyed our meal times together!

We went on a tuk tuk for some fun on our rainy days

Even had hermit crab races

Rain, rain go away come again in Obulle!
You just had to laugh so you could enjoy.

Thanks be to God!