Trent Renner

What a day. It was still mostly a heavy travel day. We rode in a bus for more than 5 hours today. We had some cool stops along the way. We drove for about 2 hours before we arrived at what is known as the source of the Nile River. It is in the town of Jinja, Uganda. The Nile River is the only river that runs North. It starts in Uganda and runs up through Egypt…where Moses was placed in the Nile as a baby…and then pours into the Mediteranean Sea. The source is beautiful. I am deeply sorry that I can’t post pictures on the blog…it must have something to do with being in Africa. So I will try to email my wife some pictures and you can check them out via Facebook. If it matters to you to know little trivia facts…Ghandi had his ashes placed in the Nile river at the source in Jinja. The Nile is also the longest River in the world. Pretty cool to see the source. I have some pics of it. There is a little island they took us to in the middle of the Nile and when we got on the Island a sign reads we are not allowed to Urinate anywhere. I’ll post it on facebook.
After leaving the source we drove by bus for another couple of hours and we pulled alongside the road and about 50 Africans came running to the bus carrying Chicken on a stick and Chipata (think big, thick, tortillas!) and Goat on a stick and bottles of water and soda. I ate the Chicken on a stick and chipata and passed on the goat. It was good. The Chicken on a Stick tasted…well…like Chicken! It was thoroughly cooked and I didn’t have any stomach pains when I was finished. Lunch was served.
As we pulled back on the highway we drove about 20 more minutes before we were forced to pull over because of a group of baboons in the middle of the road. They are bigger than the pictures show. We threw them some bananas and leftover chicken on a stick and they ran right up to the bus and grabbed the food and looked up at us as if to say…”Man…Trent…thanks for the food…you are the man!” At least that’s what I think they said! So wierd to be in a place where monkeys roam like cats in America. They are everywhere…big and little ones. Pretty cool. I haven’t tried to pet one yet…I’m sure it’ll be interesting when I give it a shot! Hey…I may never get to Africa again…got to take some chances!
After our monkey escapades we drove for about another hour and arrived at our hotel where we will stay for most of the remainder of the trip. You can look the hotel up online. Its called The Rock Classic Hotel in Torroro, Uganda. Its not too bad a place. There is a huge African Thunderstorm rolling through and its raining so hard it has knocked the electricity out twice now. AFter we check into the hotel we loaded the bus again at about 5:30pm and drove just 15 minutes to the True Vine Ministry Property where hundreds of kids are supported by people in America through Hope 4 Kids International. What a beautiful property. CCV donated some money to build a church building that seats 2000 people at one time. I will be worshipping at this facility this Sunday. I hear the African worship music and energy would make Andy Sonsky’s worship look tame. (Its gonna be wild!) While at this ministry center the kids came running and they want to touch you and hold your hand. I had a young kid grab my hand and walked with me the whole time we took a tour of the place. When the tour was over I grabbed a basketball and played with the kids. Took my iPhone and captured a bunch of the kids on video and let them watch themselves in thier own little movies. Their laughter is contagious. Their energy is thrilling. My daughter Madison wants me to grab one of the kids and bring him/her home. My heart aches for these kids…but in reality they are very well taken care of. H4KI is doing an amazing work. There is such a huge need in Africa. I’m glad I’m here. The traveling is tough…but once here…you’ll never be the same. I hope you can make it some day. Well…that’s enough for today. I’m beat. I’m looking for my first full nights rest in 3 days.
By the way… It was pretty cool today…I skyped with my wife…Arizona to Africa. What a cool time we live in. Be joyful and thankful for the good you have in your life. Standing in Africa makes me pause and think about how good I/we got it!
Sweet Dreams.