day 81: Christmas in JUNE

today we had an incredible time of fellowship with some our of team family. we drove about an hour & a half through gorgeous, mountainous vineyard countryside (how's that for a description?!) to tulbagh valley. there each year they hold a "Christmas in Winter"festival. such a much-needed, sweet time of fellowship :)

- tulbagh is home to the oldest church in South Africa (center)
- the handle to the front door (center left)
- our xhosa youth ministry leader, bruce, sneakily ringing the bell outside the church...& running! (center right)
- historical graveyard crosses behind the church (bottom center)
- a quaint chocolatiere where i indulged in caramel coffee chocolates!! :) (bottom left)

- little "m" who is 7 got to enjoy a "pony" (very large horse) ride (top mid-left)
- we experienced a 1.5 minute parade led by a fun, Africa-style marching band (top mid-right)
- like mother, like daughter (bottom far left)
- santa in the "parade" atop a tire truck (bottom mid-left)
- bruce "surprising" his oldest daughter w/ a bday present (bottom mid-right)

needless to say, a great time was had by all! love these people...SO BLESSED to have such an incredible team of leadership pouring into & working alongside of us!