At the shores of the Indian Ocean...

It has been so incredible to spend the last two days at the Haritha Beach Resort in Suri Lanka. The shores of the Indian Ocean are breathtaking. The peace and rest that I have come to experience in my Heavenly Father’s love was immensely intensified by the magnificent beauty of His great creation. As we arrived to the resort on Tuesday night I had set low expectations for the “beach cottage” that we were told we would be lodging in for the following two nights. But, to my surprise we were welcomed into a remarkably well-appointed (by my newly re-established Indian standards) beach cottage that sat just a few hundred yards from the waters edge. I awoke at 9:30 am to a kind gentleman offering the selection of coffee or chai. Indulging in the only way to start what promises to be a beautiful day at the remote beaches of India, I obliged in a piping hot cup of chai. It was delicious! Then I threw on some running gear and attempted to take a nice long run along the beach. I have to admit that I did far better than expected considering the drastic change in climate and humidity when compared to the familiar shores of the Pacific. Exhausted and dragging myself back to the resort, I found Suresh and Christina headed to breakfast and so I joined them for a breakfast that only Indians can pill off. It consisted of a rice & lentil mixture, and was accompanied by three sides, raw sugar, curry/spicy vegetable soup broth, and chutney. It’s no IHOP people! And it didn’t take much to fill my tank at this breakfast. After breakfast, I grabbed a towel and headed to the white sand for a tanning session under the Indian sun. I preceded to make a few phone calls to the BFF and Mom & Dad to raise a little “awareness” before drifting off to the relaxing sound of the waves. Later, we gathered as a family to have a late lunch and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
DAY TWO
The highlight of the resort was the patio, just before the entrance of our room overlooking the ocean, that had one long white lounge chair that held my attention for the better part of the second day of our retreat. Nursing my slightly burnt skin, (that Indian sun will creep up on you) I enjoyed reading my bible and journaling. As the day concluded, we witnessed Indian missiles light up the night sky as they were launched into the ocean from the military base just next to the resort. (The 700 acre base is where Indian intelligence also launches all of their satellites in to space.) It was also incredible! All in all it was one vacation I’m sure to never forget. Who would have known that a two week mission trip with my church body would end up fostering such a beautiful literal expression of the beauty and love that comes from my Savior. Only God knew!