family ties

This past week has been a very special one,
with the long-awaited advent of our first guests from home.

Mark's sister, Amanda, her husband Chris, and their son Marcus came for a 10-day, all-too-short visit.

We've loved the time together with them; playing games around the table,

push-starting the vehicle we're currently car-sitting,
and all the fun activities we've been able to enjoy together.

Marcus meets the boa at the Crocodile Park, and Mandy meets the monkey!

The Butterfly House was packed with fluttering wings,

and gorgeous chrysalises.

We enjoyed some good meals together...

including this one at the Riverwalk, where you could order all different kinds of crocodile meat.
We stuck with the chicken!

We visited a display of indigenous people's homes...

and ate at Majid's, one of our favorite spots downtown.

Chris and Marcus joined in a game of Ultimate Frisbee,

and we took an overnight trip to Eden, where Mark and Amanda, both not keen on heights, took the plunge and rode the zip-line.

I love the look on your face, Mandy!

Marcus caught his first fish there, a delicious tilapia.

The cousins found ways to play together wherever they were.
"Rubbish" even works in the back seat of the car!

And on their last day here, a trip to Paradise to snorkel and mess about in a kayak.

What a blessing to all of us to spend time again with family. We are so thankful for the opportunity, so thankful that they were willing to make the time and effort to come.

Thanks for a great visit guys! We'll miss you.


"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life."
Matthew 19:29