Source of the Nile

Day 7 - Thursday

Mercy prepared a wonderful breakfast (chapati, egg, and fruit) for us; then we continued our journey east to Tororo. We spent several hours in Jinga visiting two national parks that are located right along the Nile River.
 

Jess and Shai at Nile River

We took a boat ride up river to where the Nile meets Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile comes from an underwater spring at the mouth of the river, and you can see where this spring water comes up. The boat ride was so much fun and relaxing. During the boat ride, the guide took us along the shore and pointed out birds, a huge lizard, and a Black Mamba!! That was very cool - as long as he stayed where he was! My son Ryan has been telling me about these snakes - the MOST poisonous in the world - not to mention some of the fastest on ground as well as in water. I'm so glad we were in the boat!

Afterwards,we got some ice cream and headed straight to Tororo. We passed sugar cane fields and rice fields all along the way as well as a whole family of baboons along the side of the road.

Daniel (right) with his family

When we arrived in Tororo, we stopped to see Pastor Daniel Male's mom. She lives in the outskirts of Tororo in a mud hut. None of us had ever been in a mud hut before, so this was a new experience. We had to drive across an open field and then through some brush to get to her home. Once inside it started to pour down rain. The roof is a thatch roof and no matter how hard it rained outside, and it rained heavily, we stayed dry inside. Once a year after the rainy season, they do some maintenance to the walls so that they stay dry and cool inside. Daniel's mom is 62 (he thinks - they don't really know) and she is a sweet lady. Another son, Stephen, was also at home when we arrived. After talking and praying, Daniel shared that neither his mom nor brother were saved. So, Virgil approached Stephen and shared the gospel with him asking him if he would like to ask Jesus for forgiveness - he did!! We rejoiced with the angels in heaven! Then Daniel's mom asked Jesus into her heart. What a glorious way to begin our time in Tororo!! We are very excited to see what the Lord has in mind for us here.

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10