The Gills in Malawi

This post is a lot longer than normal but I hope you enjoy reading about Gods love, favour and blessings.

Well it has been a long time!  Too long!  We left Malawi on the 15th October thanks to God's amazing provision for a holiday for our family.  

 We decided to drive down to South Africa which we had never done before, we travelled over 5 days and we were glad we did as the drive is long.  We prayed every day for our journey and that we would not have any trouble with the police on the roads (we had heard that they could be difficult).  The journey went very well and thanks to some advice from friends we stayed at some beautiful places along the way.  We had the most amazing fish platter with lobster which only cost £45  for us all and it had about 8 lobster on it.  We had not seen anything quite like it!!!  All the way we just kept thanking God for this opportunity.  It was just what our family needed.

A special thanks to our heavenly father and also to the wonderful people who made this possible.

This was the amazing fish platter we had at Morrungulo in Mozambique.

We arrived at my parents house on the 20th October.  We were tired but excited for our up and coming trip to Mauritius. 

On the 1st November I celebrated my 40th birthday.  It was wonderful to be here with my family.  I was spoiled!  Paul arranged for me to have a massage along with my mum and Chloe.  I also had a pedicure and a manicure.  It was bliss!  We all went out for a special meal at a wonderful restaurant.  When they brought me my cake they also presented me with a bouquet of flowers.  It was a night to remember!

On the 5th November we left South Africa to go to Mauritius.  We were so excited.  This was our first family holiday in a long time!  When we walked into the Le Cannonier we were blown away, it was stunning in every way.  We were given a cool towel to refresh ourselves and a welcome drink and then a porter took our bags to our room!

There are so many things I could write about here, it is hard to choose.  One of the top highlights has to be Joel getting baptised.  He asked Paul one day to baptise him in the ocean so we all headed on down, it was a moment we will never forget and the sky was incredible.  Another highlight was a trip to a Crocodile park where we saw giant tortoises, they were so cool.  The kids also got a chance to go parasailing which they loved.  We went kayaking, on a catamaran trip to a small island, a glass bottomed boat trip (which made me feel sick lol), windsurfing, snorkelling, swimming, had a go at archery, tennis and everything the hotel had to offer.  It was a holiday we will never forget.  The food was amazing and I am sure we gained quite a few pounds!  The day before we left one of the waitresses we had befriended arranged for a little surprise to be put in our room, see picture below.  The day we left we walked around taking photos the tears began to flow as I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this amazing time away.

Joel being baptised.

Don't you just love him!

 What a lovely surprise

Goodbye Mauritius....what an amazing time we had!

On arriving back in South Africa our holiday was not over, my parents had a time share week that we were able to use so off to Durban we went.  We stayed in a self catering apartment overlooking the sea.  We were on the 7th floor which was quite high up and it made my legs wobble. 

We visited an indoor climbing wall.  Chloe and Benj climbed half way and Paul and Joel climbed to the top.  I took photo's!  They loved it.  We also visited Usharka aquarium and watched the seal and dolphin shows.  We loved the dolphin show so much that we went back to see it again.  I was sitting in the crowd praying for favour and that one of the kids would be chosen to meet the dolphin and I was chosen.  I couldn't believe it!  It was an experience I will never forget, I got to feel its heartbeat, kiss it, feed it and wave goodbye.  God is so good to us!

It was high!!!

A special moment

One of the main reasons for this time away was because Paul has had quite a few health problems this year.  We thought that the break away would ease the pains he keeps getting in his chest but it didn't.  Thanks to Elim arranging for an appointment at interhealth, Paul few back to the cold to have a full medical check up.  If you would like to know more on how you can pray for him in this area, please get in touch.

Paul enjoyed seeing family and friends whilst in the UK and especially having some time with Lauren.  He was freezing at times as it has been such a long time since he has been in such cold weather!!!

On the 23rd December we were surprised by the arrival of my brother and his wife from Scotland.  We had suspected something but it was still a lovely surprise.  We have not had christmas with them since 2006.  On Christmas day they came over in the afternoon, it was so special to be together.  A perfect christmas, the only thing that could have made it better was if Lauren could have been with us.  She spent christmas with her boyfriends family, we are thankful that they welcomed her in.

All together again!

After christmas, Chloe had the idea that we should have a bit of fun and all take turns to do a come dine with me style meal and competition.  Unfortunately there was no £1000  up for grabs but it was fun all the same.  My Dad did one evening, I went next, then my Mum and finally Paul and Chloe. 

We had some delicious meals and everyone made so much effort, it was a lot of fun.  Paul and Chloe won and well done to them, not only was their food delicious but their table was stunning.

My fancy name tag made by Paul & Chloe

 Paul & Chloe's impressive raspberry souffle.

So after a wonderful rest and lots of special memories, far too many to write down, we are heading back to Malawi.  We will be leaving here on the 9th January and arriving back there either the 13th or 14th.  Please pray for our journey back and that we will not have any problems at customs.  Also pray that once back in Malawi we will be able to get some fuel.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  We really appreciate you and thank God for you.  We pray for a blessed 2012 for you all with much favour and good health.