A Little R&R

In all honesty, working with the program has been a little tough these days and we were starting to feel a little tired.  We decided that a day away from town for some rest and relaxation was definitely in order.  We've been plagued with weariness, sickness and not a small amount of discouragement, even though there are MANY positive things happening as well.  So, we decided that a day at the beach might be the ticket.  We left early in the morning on Mother's Day and headed toward Freetown.  Two and a half hours later, after a great sermon and some worship music in the air-conditioned van, we arrived at Kent Beach.

We had a great time swimming and playing soccer on the beach.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  The water temperature was superb - warm, yet refreshing.  The scenery was gorgeous.  The best part was, we had the entire beach to ourselves for the morning. 

As a Mother's Day treat, we decided to have dinner on the beach, prepared by the people in the nearby village.  There was fresh grilled fish, fresh caught lobster, African-style fried rice and sweet potato chips with ice cold drinks.  These were no grilled lobster tails, however.  This was the whole entire lobster, sitting there looking like it was about to attack! 

Attack of the Killer Lobsters!

By the time we finished dinner, the beach had been invaded by a party of about 150 people complete with generator, giant speakers and a sound system.  We decided it was time for Part 2 of our day of fun and relaxation.  We boarded a tiny ship called the SS Minnow and set out for a 3 hour tour.  (just kidding!)  Here was our boat...

And it was really just a 30 minute ride out to sea to Banana Island, a small banana-shaped island (go figure!) off the coast.  

The island was a former slave holding area during the days of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and there are still vestiges of those times on the island; cannons where the look-out fortress was, 300 year old well dug by slaves (still in use today!), etc.  There were also quaint villages with old colonial-style homes and churches.  We landed at a secluded lagoon and swam for a while and then hiked across the island through the jungle to rejoin our boat. 

 Hiking through the jungle

 

300 year old well dug by slaves held on the island

Old Anglican church recently refurbished - with original bell hanging in foreground

 

Boys sitting on cannons pointing out to sea.  Huge termite home next to them on right.

After we hiked back across the island, we got back on our "little ship" and headed back to the mainland.  Storm clouds were building on the horizon and the sun was beginning to sink into the sea. 

We were given buckets of water to wash off the salt and sand and then headed back upcountry.  Night falls quickly on the equator and it was soon dark.  Shortly after that, we were caught in a monsoon-like rain storm which made driving very difficult, but Kelsey weathered the storm and we all got home exhausted by refreshed later that night.  It was a practically perfect day!