Friday, December 19, 2008

Kris's Overnight Hike with Dad

This past week, Kristen and Wilf took a three hour hike to visit one of the aldeas. Kristen was really excited to be going along with her Dad!
A big highlight for Kristen and Wilf (who are both avid swimmers) is where the creek makes beautiful swimming holes.

After a long hike, these clear, cool pools are lovely for swimming in.

The pools are right below the church building. Wilf and Kristen slept in the church for the night and they said that they can hear the waterfalls as they drift off to sleep! It sounds very beautiful.
That afternoon, there was a service in the church and Wilf had an opportunity to speak. They also had a great chance to visit with the Bible teacher from this aldea and his family.

It has been pretty dry here for over a month now so the river is quite low. The walk Wilf and Kristen took follows the river for a long ways. During the dry season, people take the opportunity to plant crops on the sand bars. In the picture above, some men are burning debris in preparation for planting.
The river is completely covered with algea and the water hyacinth. The hyacinth has a lovely blue flower on it and Wilf said it looks very beautiful. It almost looks like you can walk across it!

What a special time this was for Kris and Wilf. I am thankful for the time the kids can spend with their Dad as well as having the opportunity to see different places, people and creatures :) (as pictured above).
Wilf will be heading out to the different villages fairly often in the next week for
Christmas celebrations.
Please continue to pray for the spread of the gospel in these rural villages!

4 comments:

Kevin and Carole said...

awww, kris we miss you!! (and the rest of you of course!) Mr. Vrieling would love that pic of the water hyacinth or whatever it was. I agree, it is very beautiful. and wow, that is quite the bug. So glad there are special opportunities like this for you, Shar i wish you & Wilf could go hiking together!! At least there are fun times for the whole family, one real blessing not to be taken for granted as most families have so little real quality family time. We will pray for Wilf's travels to the villages and that the people will be strengthened and built up in their faith!! We love you all!!

Maria said...

Good for you Kris! You are quite the hiker! Those swimming holes looks so neat!

Mom & Dad said...

We wish we were as good at hiking as Kris and Nate. Those swimming holes certainly look refreshing after a warm hike. Should of had one on our short jaunt.
Missing you all...LOve MOm and Dad

Sharon said...

Wow, beautiful!!! We pray that "...the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified...
the Lord is faithful..." 2 Thess. 3:1,3