Hike to Turure Falls 🌱

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." 

-Revelation 22:1-2

Hello friends, did you know that one of my passions is hiking? It is something I discovered over a decade ago. I was invited to a hike in 2012, after and during a stressful period in my life, I was a bit doubtful about it, because I didn't know what to expect, wasn't fit at all, and really wanted to be by myself. Interestingly enough though, I did manage to complete it, and on sensing my new found interest for more, the hike leader introduced me to his hiking club. It was my first time hearing about something like a club for persons who hike, and I am so glad I found out about it. It quickly became my sport of preference and I have never stopped hiking since. 

Throwback to my first hike
Turure Watersteps, March 2012

Some of the group of friends on the Turure Hike in 2012

Hiking for me back then started off as a form of exercise because I wanted to achieve some weight loss and fitness goals. However, in the process, in addition to the exercise, I found being in nature and on the trails so therapeutic, so healing, so enjoyable, fascinating and reviving. I enjoyed building up a good sweat, feeling the sweet body pains of accomplishment after a good challenging hike, the memories of beautiful views and cool river baths, chasing the perfect photos capturing as many precious encounters with nature as possible, the comradery among the hikers, and exploring the many hidden treasures in the mountains, valleys and in between on God's blessed green earth. 

"In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land."

-Psalm 954-5

I was able to make new friends despite my intense introversion at the time. I found a space to just be, free to be in my healing state, grow spiritually, and to emerge into someone who was seeing life as worth living. It built some much needed confidence in myself also, seeing myself developing new found capabilities of completing hiking trails, and even transferring this confidence to other aspects of my life. I became someone I was happy with - healthy, fit, brave, more in tune with the practice of gratitude, growth, and enjoyment. I was happy again, praise the Lord! 

"...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."

-Psalm 30:5-6

Fast forward to the year 2023 and my hiking club embarked on the trail to Turure Waterfalls. Being back on this trail a decade later held special significance for me. This was the very trail that got me started into hiking. Many of the memories came back to me. The rocks I held on to, the banks I climbed up on, the streams I crossed, the flowers I saw, the limestone water-step formations, parts of the conversations, and the photos I took back then. It is indeed a special thing that we can look back, not only to relish the nostalgia, but also, to be encouraged by how far we have come since then.

The scripture I quoted at the beginning, seems to hold special relevance to this experience of mine. The view of the Turure Watersteps, and the water flowing over them, brought to mind the image of the throne of God mentioned in God's Word. It also happens to be taken from the last chapter of the last book of the Bible. This chapter is special. It shows us how the story of redemption ends, with snapshots in vision of a very real heaven. It describes the tree of life and God's eternal provision and healing for His people. This is encouraging to me because it reminds me that nothing on this earth lasts forever, none of our troubles or sorrows either. Friends, nothing on this earth lasts forever! The story ends, and what a beautiful scene awaits us, with God present among us. It is an encouragement to stay faithful to the end. I want to make it there. Do you? 

This hike to Turure in 2023 has come around full circle again, during a time once again of personal struggle and healing. I thought it would be fitting to create a video this time, to capture this experience. If you happen to find this post, and have read straight to the end, thank you for reading. I also hope you enjoy the video I gladly put together. 

Hike to Turure Waterfalls - February 26, 2023