Day 07 - Aswan and the First Cataract: Sehel Island, Elephantine Island, Felucca

It was an extraordinary day in Aswan that began on the sundeck of our boat with a devotional study on ancient sailing techniques and living by the Wind or the Spirit of God. We then boarded river taxis and motored our way to the first cataract of the Nile where granite outcroppings restrict the flow of the waters creating narrow channels and areas of rapids. We found a quiet channel full of Nile River reeds and bulrushes where we discussed the life of Moses.

We continued on to Sehel Island, an ancient place of offerings and thanksgiving. Here, we paused for a moment of personal reflection and prayer before climbing to the top of the island with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. We stood by the Famine Stele, a 4th century BC inscription of an Old Kingdom story about an Egyptian famine. The story led to a discussion of Joseph and the conditions that led to the Israelites sojourn in Egypt.

The Isle of Elephantine was our next stop. This island is the ancient settlement with mud brick residences and stone carved temples to Khnum. We learned that there was also once a Jewish settlement of mercenaries and merchants here who built a temple to Yahweh. Jerrell led us in a discussion of ancient creation stories and God’s creation of Adam from the dust of the earth. His moving presentation in the sand led us to consider the deep relationship God shared with Adam at the moment of creation.

We returned to the boat for lunch and the spent the late afternoon again on the water with a felucca sail to the Botanical Gatdens. Here, we strolled through the beauty of exotic trees and flowers before gathering at a cafe where we passed the mic around to hear personal impressions about Egypt from our guests on the tour. We then boarded our feluccas for a sunset sail back to the ship. The evening ended with a Nubian musical show and dinner. What an incredible last day in Egypt this was!