Lesson on the Nile

Yesterday we rafted the Nile River. As spectacular as it was to experience the vast beauty and power of the Nile, something stronger sticks in my mind. As we were beginning the trip our rafting guide, a Ugandan named De-Marco, noticed I had sunglasses on. He encouraged me to leave them behind as I would be likely to lose them on the river. I assured him they were “cheap” and I didn’t mind losing them to the rapids. He slowly responded, “You should not say such things; that you don’t care if you lose your sunglasses”. He paused before asking, “You said they were cheap? How much did they cost you?” I shrugged and said, “Oh, probably about ten dollars.” His response left me humbled and ashamed. He simply said, “I make twenty dollars a day”. (Twenty dollars a day is actually quite high for the average African.)

It was powerful. I’m not sure if reading about it portrays the significance of the moment, but something was deposited in my heart. In America we have such an abundance that we take much of our “stuff” for granted. Here, they have so little that anything, small or large, is treasured. I’m sure many of us “Westerners” are aware of this, but how often do we let it change the way we live; the way we give? I do not think we should despise the blessings God has given us; but we should value them and use them in a way that blesses God and others.

Thank you De-Marco, for the unforgettable life lesson.

The Nile River