A Welcomed Respite in The Gambia

We just returned from a week in The Gambia with families from Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). The Reeds have not taken a vacation since 2004, so this was a breath of fresh air, figuratively and literally. We were on the ocean with stiff cool breezes every day, all day. Hannah and Renita were actually cold several times, and I felt great. Noah and I did a lot of exploring, visiting tide pools and collecting shells. It was simply lovely.

Today, I woke up in Liberia. I discovered Henry’s funeral is next week—here they embalm the body for three weeks and more of viewing—and Mary Joyce is still clinging to life, but the doctors want to discharge her, as there is nothing they can do to help. My throat and arm infections are almost cleared up, thanks to 500mg of cefalexin every five hours.

Enjoy some shots of The Reeds in The Gambia.

Our hotel (on the right) at dawn. The winds were brisk and crisp.

Later in the morning, we met as a large group for a time of mutual spiritual support.

After the sessions, Noah and I out hunting for shells. Some days there were thousands of jelly fish stranded by low tide-- here are a few.

One of the jellies that made it to a pool, waiting for rescue from the rising tide.

Yers Trooly in the tide pools, looking for anything interesting.

At the tide pools, a western reef egret.

In the late afternoon, we return home and Noah displays the booty to Mom and sis.

In the evening, the tradition was to have a talent night. Hannah and Noah doing the sing-a-long thing.

An obligatory Reed family photo.

As we prepare to leave, Noah bids farewell to our last day, the beach, and Gambia.