Lake Victoria

So on Thursday of last week I was told that we were going for baptisms. The church has it set up that kids take a foundation class then are asked if they want to be baptized. So we prepared on Saturday to go to Lake Victoria. I was told the we were going to have an opportunity to swim for a little while. So I got out my swim trunks that were packed way back in my dresser and prepared for a new adventure.

We drove down toward Gaba then venturing off to Munyonyo...that's where the 5 star resort is here. It's a nice place, but how can you possibly come here to serve and stay at such a place? I've already asked to be forgiven of that sin as it is where I stayed my first visit...but it must be noted that I didn't make any of the plans or accomodations for that trip. Anyway, I digress. We pass there and go to a place where there was a gate to the beach we were going to. We were promptly met by a young man demanding 15000 shillings to enter; we gave him 10000. Then he disappeared somewhere... probably wasn't even connected to that land. Anyway, I digress again. We drove down to the beach where we found trucks being loaded with sand. Apparently small boats go to different islands to get sand to use on the mainland...interesting. Many of the kids began to change attire for going in the water. Was their a place to change...of course...the bushes...where else in Uganda. We went down and proceeded to watch kids get baptized. Hallelujah. I think about 40 were baptized. Awesome.

Now the fun part. I wanted to go swimming, but wasn't quite prepared for what I found. That water was more disgusting than the pond at Hume Lake and I NEVER go in the pond unless it's required during competition. You could see all kinds of nasties in the water. I wanted to swim, but at the risk of getting some crazy disease? I wavered. Finally, I gave in. Too bad few of those Ugandans can swim. There were a few small islands not too far away that I would have loved to swim to. Anyway, it was a fun time to see the kids get baptized and have fun in the water. Even traveling that far down the road is very unusual for them. (a few miles)

However, the story doesn't end there although I wish it would have. I'm not sure the incubation time of a virus that you contact in the water, but come Monday at 2am, pain in the stomach...gut wrenching pain. I thought I was going to pass out. Let's just say that I was in the bathroom a lot and didn't sleep from 2 until 7:15 am. At which time I got about an hour of sleep before someone came to ask me a question about something. Oh the joys and pains of swimming in Lake Victoria...maybe it wasn't from the lake, but I can't help but look at the timing and wonder!