Under Canvas

Got back yesterday from a short camping trip with the four oldest kids
on the ship. We went and camped in the grounds of some rich guy in
Barbados. The bodyguards arranged it all for us and hosted us.

We had a great time with the kids; Andrew, Samuel, Bethwyn and Aneka.
We arrived Sunday afternoon, set up the camp and then went to the
beach. The waves were rough but the beach was lovely. We came back to
camp before dark and collected firewood, built the fire and started
toasting hotdogs and dough.

Steve lead some devotion time around the fire, looked at Philippians
2:1-12. The kids learnt how we are to be humble because Christ was humble.

We stayed up until midnight and then everyone crashed. The weather was
stormy overnight and it was fun to lie in the tents and listen to the
wind and raining (and distant waves) it took me back to camping as a kid
myself.

Next morning we rose with the sun (well almost) and had morning
devotions - this time girls and guys separate, following on from where
Steve left off the night before. The kids discussed ways in which they
could shine as stars for God and how it is through our actions that we
glorify God and lead others to Him.

We ate breakfast, packed up camp and headed off to the beach again. The
waves were even rougher and the kids enjoyed having fun on the boogie
board lent to us by one of the bodyguards. It rained intermittently but
this didn't matter as it helped to cool us off from the sun.

We left the beach for a late lunch and clean up time.

As we were playing some last games whilst waiting to be picked up, we
spotted some wild monkeys that had come to take a look at us. We threw
them a bit of banana to encourage them closer. More and more appeared
and we watched them, thoroughly enjoying seeing monkeys in the wild.
They eventually left us, scampering back into the brush.

We arrived back on the ship dirty and tired but with happy hearts,
seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids.