We then started our staff retreat at 9am, going until 12pm. We had a time of worship and Scripture reading, Mark led us in a sermon, we had a break, and ended with a teaching session by Mark & Sheila. It was really really good!
We are blessed to have 2 of the couples from our very first 6 week missionary training in Virginia in 2003 living here in Durban! We were able to meet up with Dave, Julie, and Laura (whose husband is out of town) for a great lunch just near our hotel! It's hard to believe 15 years have gone by, and here we still are in Africa!
Blu and Dave. And Blu's burger...
And my white chocolate, strawberry, and coconut smoothie..
After lunch, it was time to hit the beach! I didn't take my phone, but Yolantah and Aubrey joined us and loved jumping in the waves, although Aubrey says he'll never get back in because it's too salty! Yolantah couldn't stop laughing!
Mama Liz sat on the beach and watched us as she beat off the guys with a stick...
The view from our hotel
Meanwhile, some of our other staff started to venture off. They were very intimidated at first (they kept saying, "people just start speaking another language and we don't understand them!"), but finally Mulenga took a crew to a China Mall in a taxi and they were able to find a lot of things. Melvin took Hildah and they shopped for a solid 5 hours!! The funniest thing that happened is that at one point, Loveness took a seat outside to wait for the others. She noticed 2 guys following her and pointing, speaking their language. She began to feel uncomfortable, and when two other guys joined them, she decided to TAKE OFF RUNNING all the way back to the hotel!!!! She said her feet hurt so bad when she got here, and I don't know that she'll venture off again!!!
We all met at 5pm outside the lobby, knowing it would take us awhile to walk to supper, order, eat our food, etc. (and sure enough, we got back to the room at 8pm!) The walk to supper was certainly eventful!
Waiting to leave for supper
Melvin and Hildah checking out their new electronics
This girl keeps me laughing. Always.
And then Loveness and Wes had a footrace, and we were REALLY laughing!!
Hildah getting another boost. She is doing ok physically, but the medicine she is taking is really affecting her legs/feet, and they get swollen and numb very easily.
We walked down to the Suncoast mall for supper at Spur!
Table for 19, please!
We thought we were waiting for the bill that was taking awhile to come...when we realized they had all ordered massive desserts!!! We told Mama Cecilia, "We didn't think you were supposed to eat that as a diabetic!" She looked surprised and said, "But it's ice cream! Is there sugar??"
Laughing. Again!
Mama Tembo doing a dance...just because!
Melvin enjoying dessert
Mirriam too!
Mulenga & Blu
Blu & Loveness
We are having a great time spoiling our staff! Tomorrow's agenda includes staff retreat and aquarium/water park!!
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