We made a trip out to the bridge with the plan of visiting one of the aldeas. We certainly got a good idea of what it is like for Wilf to hike to these villages!! We chose to hike to the closest village-a hike that takes Wilf about 45 minutes. We started off wonderfully....after we crossed the bridge that is! I think Mom and I were the most nervous :)
I had Lauren on my back and I was pretty nervous that she would jump out somehow!
It was a beautiful hike, but of course a lot of climbing! We started out under a cloudy sky, but when the sun came out, it sure got hot! And this is the coldest time of year. Most often when Wilf hikes, it is REALLY hot and a lot of the hiking is in the bright sun.
This is a look back at the bridge. You can see the road we came in on on the left. The bridge is over the river, which is a bit difficult to see because it is totally green! The river looks almost solid on the surface because of algae and a water hyacinth.
After an hour of hiking, we were only halfway, so we elected to have a picnic lunch on a hill top and head back. Not a bad place for a picnic hey?
I took this picture and the one following, to try to show the trails that Wilf takes to visit some of the other aldeas. It was amazing to get an idea of how far they travel! It is difficult to see when the pictures are this small, but you can see the trails leading through the hills if you enlarge the pictures!It is just amazing that people live in such remote places.
Nate having a little snack :)
This was my first time hiking with Wilf and it was exciting for me. I would like to go with him more often, but it is diffiuclt with little ones. Wilf carried Ryan on his back and marched along, while the rest of us struggled behind him :) Actually, I should say that Nate and Kris are marvelous hikers and easily beat us all back to the truck!
Mom and Dad made it!
Monday morning we headed back to the city to show Mom and Dad a few last sights before they headed home on Wednesday. We went to Antigua on Monday afternoon. 
In the artisan market. I think I took this picture four times and every time one of the kids was doing something funny. This one was the best of the lot :)
This place was a highlight for the kids. This is the ruins of an cathedral and monastery. They were destroyed by an earthquake years ago. It was a marvelous place to run around and explore!
It is pretty awesome to see how the Lord can shake the earth!
Although she is still a Mommy's girl, Lauren did love her Oma as well!
And her big sister!
Tuesday we went to the zoo. The kids were so excited to show everything to Oma and Opa. It was so special for us all to have them here!
These hippos were fascinating and an awesome reminder of a wonderful creator.
We finished off with a little train ride through the zoo. Afterward we headed back to the seminary we were staying at for a farewell dinner. A special thank-you to my parents for making the trip down. And for the help around the house, cozy coffee times, words of encouragement, and endless games, love and attention to our children. It was such a blessing and encouragement for us to have you here!
Any other visitors are welcome :)
12 comments:
ohh sharon so many beautiful pictures!! i loved to look at them. :) the one of your kids in the arch of those ruins is AMAZING, you should enlarge and frame it when you get back. too bad baby lauren isn't on it, btw she is looking so cute. i love the pic of her & kris. at the picnic your dad is looking like he could hike for many more hours, very fit and spry-looking. They seemed to really love the visit with you and encouraged us to go :)...glad to see that more visitors are welcome. wouldn't that be amazing??!! we miss you!! hope that church was encouraging and well attended today! maybe we can talk next week, Shar, it's been a while again & we need to talk.. :) love & hugs to you all!! Carole
Hi! I also loved all those pictures - so incredible to see what you guys are experiencing there. Amazing, too, to see a little more of God's creation - I loved your picnic spot! I enlarged the trail pictures and my heart started pounding just looking at the trail - Wilf must be in great shape! (or I'm just pathetically out of shape if just a picture can make me breathe hard....;) Love to all! Cher
Thanks for sharing your family's adventure and the time with your parents. what precious pictures and great memories for your family. Keep up the good work, its a nice way to see what you are all up to over there.
Take care
elaine and gang
Opa and Oma sure love and miss Lauren and all the kids as well and we sure enjoyed your wonderful hospitality. It was a real blessing to be able to share in your life there and enjoy some of the amazing scenery. We were able to go places that the average tourist would never see including "the bridge" and beyond. It gave a freah appreciation of what Wilf and Nico have to do. Thanks again. Miss you all. LOve, Opa and Oma
Hi Shar--great pictures! We got to see all of mom and dad's pictures yesterday as well when we were visiting yesterday, and I feel like I have a much better idea of your surroundings. Pictures are really worth a thousand words, eh? It was nice to see more pictures of you...you're looking great!...and Lauren, who looks so much like you--such a cutie. It was great to hear all about it from Dad and Mom--they really enjoyed their time, and we're all missing you!
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15: 58)--this was the verse Pastor Vogel preached on for Arlene's funeral service, and I also thought of you and Wilf when I read it...we pray you will keep "abounding in the work of the Lord" in G. and wherever He leads you next!
So glad that you could have a wonderful time together!! I love the pictures and would love to come and visit! I think hiking would be amazing..although, I am out of shape!! I too love the pics of the kids in the arch! We hope you are doing well and that you are renewed to go back about your daily labors! Oh, and the boys were sure that it was a hippo and not a rhino at the zoo... We love you and miss you!
Hi Guys!! Well, we have really enjoyed reading and looking at your Blog. What a great experience it must be for you guys.I'm sure it was nice to have a visit from your parents,and sad to see them go too:( The pictures look wonderful and you guys look like quite the fit family!! Enjoy your time there and we pray for guys often. From Josh, Steph and Family
The pictures look really nice Sharon! I love to see all of your adventures - looks like the kids are loving it!
Missing you here!
My kids were quite embarrased that I called it a rhino when it is indeed a hippo!! Sorry about that :) Thank-you for all your wonderful comments. We love to hear from you all!
I didn't even notice that little faux pas... :) Great pictures, Shar! You look great, and your kids are growing up! Nate looks tall! I'll have to see how high Jess comes up to me....! Lauren is a cutie. It is so strange that she is growing up without my being able to see it! .... and you have never even seen matthew! :( Love you guys!
Wow, thanks for all those great pictures! What a blessing & encouragement to have that time with your parents! It was neat to hear firsthand from them how you are doing. May the Lord continue to uphold you with His everlasting arms, in that beautiful (but primitive) country!
Hi! Wow, great pictures, and I love to see families truly spending quality time together, loving each other, and keeping God center in their life. I just came across your blog, and I am thankful I did. May God continue to Bless you and your family.
Michelle
www.betterhealthandnutrition.blogspot.com
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