Durban

Before my surgery we as a family were able to get away and visit Durban for the first time. Durban is a port city on the Indian ocean and is the holiday retreat of many people from Joburg during Christmas. We went during the early spring, which is the rainy season, and got what you'd expect--it rained almost everyday--but we still had a wonderful time. Here is a day at the beach but we couldn't swim as the water was too rough from all the rain. So we invented something to do and had races with the waves.

There is a great waterpark and aquarium in Durban called eShaka and the Lord gave us a great day of sunshine on the day we went. The water park was full of slides and we had a blast using riding them. They also had a waterfall that we could go under and get soaking wet. Our funny looking faces are due to the water in our eyes.

Skyler also got wet at the dolphin show as he was one of the guests to enjoy a splash from flipper. He's the smallest one towards the right side of the group.

The aquarium was so cool as it was all inside a big ship and each huge tank was made to represent a real shipwreck off the coast of South Africa. So we were tired and decided to take a break and sit down for a few minutes.

We eventually did get to the ocean for swimming and boogie boarding. As you can see Leslie was thrilled to finally be there.

But before actually swimming, the kids had to attempt sliding down the huge sandhills on the beach. Of course they didn't get too far, but it was a new adventure.

When mommy is the photographer it is hard to get pictures of her but here is one of she and Skyler boogie boarding and enjoying the waves. It didn't last for long as those waves really beat you up.

So we thank the Lord for a wonderful time to get away as a family and see more of this beautiful country to which He has called us.

Christmas from NHCC

This year for Christmas we were thrilled to receive not a package but a box from the young people at our sending church--North Hills Community Church. Susan and I knew that something was coming but we had no idea of what was inside. As you can see we had problems fitting it into the car.

When we opened it we were shocked by the generosity and thoughtfulness of everyone. It's always a "wow" when you get something that is not available here in South Africa and I won't bore you with those details, but we did have many "wows." Many of the young people had even written notes to our kids as well as the young people in our church.

As you can see, Leslie was even more excited for Skyler as he opened the Husky puppy he wanted. Skyler's bed is covered in puppies and if we ever see a real puppy he has to go and pet it. So you can tell he was happy to have his husky.

Leslie got a leopard with some cool dresses which she was thrilled to receive. She even opened a blowup couch to put some of her dolls on. So many of these gifts were really well thought out and we appreciate that effort so much.

Kyle loves to read and his cache of books will keep him busy for at least a couple of weeks. Here he is with one of his Accidental Detective books.

One of the great blessings was to be able to give a gift to some friends of ours from the DRC. This is Katie and Karin and this was the first gift the girls had received since arriving in South Africa almost 2 years ago.

So from our family and the Mulopwe family, thank you North Hills for making our Christmas an even more special time.