The Source

Saturday, Sept. 17

It doesn’t take long to notice the change.  The road out of Bujumbura heading upcountry winds through neighborhoods, increasingly inching upwards towards the mountains.  Soon small houses are replaced by the shimmering silver of eucalyptus trees lining the road; spaces open up to views over the capital city and the air is decidedly cooler.  Instead of cars you see people walking…..all along the road men, women (often with baskets on their heads) and children travel by foot one wonders to where, and they look surprised to see us as we pass by.  After more than two hours we finally arrive in Matana province, the area where Peace grew up.  Its sprawling red African clay holds banana trees and terraced tea plants where people try to survive with subsistence farming.  We stayed at a small inn where we’ve stopped before, but never had the chance to stay.  After having lunch, we got to visit Peace’s husband’s village home.  Family is important here, as well as their village roots.  After greeting family members, they showed us their goats.  It was such fun to watch them scamper around, beautiful little animals that are so valuable to them.  As we were about to leave, the “Burundi Longhorns” were coming home……they rather unexpectedly met us at the opening to their home; let’s just say we quickly made way for them!

We’ve always been told about the source of the Nile that originates just outside the Matana area, so it was a treat to actually go to where the great river begins.  Steps lead down to a quickly descending valley where a small stream falls into a tiled pool built some time ago.  It seems that the first European explorer to see Lake Victoria, John Hanning Speke, followed the Nile water to the lake, but in 1934 German, Burckhard Waldecker, discovered that the source extended beyond the lake to this mountain.  To memorialize the discovery, he built a pyramid above the river source – not quite as large as those in Egypt, but recognizing where this water would emerge as the White Nile converges with the Blue Nile to form the great Nile.  Such an interesting part of history.  We took time at the top of the mountain by the pyramid to take in the beauty of the incredible view before us – the Burundi mountains, majestic and tranquil with only the sound of the cooler breeze.  It was an incredible sight and great time to pray over this country.

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.”

       Psalm 121:1,2

Help indeed from THE SOURCE of love and life!