Slow to Go With the Flow Near Manaus, Brazil, the sandy-colored water of the Amazon River and the dark water of the Rio Negro converge, flowing side by side – yet both keep their own color for nearly four miles. They manage to stay distinct so long because the Rio Negro is about 6 degrees Celsius warmer and flows much slower than the Amazon. – atlasobscura.com
You read it first in this week’s The Factory in Guide magazine.
If you ever travel to Brazil to see the beautiful rainforest, there is another famous site you must see! It is a popular place for tourists because of its natural wonder. This place is near Manaus, and the site is the joining of two Brazilian rivers. The natives call it, “Encontro das Aguas” or “the Meeting of the Waters”.
The Amazon river, also known as Rio Solimões, is produced from the flow-off of the Andes Mountains. As it flows down and picks up speed, it carries along sediment from rock, gravel and sand. By the time it reaches Manaus the water is colored a butterscotch-tan.
At this point the river is met by another river, the Rio Negro. This river is flowing more slowly and is, therefore, much clearer. However, it appears like a dark tea color because it flows from the Colombian hills and carries with it decayed plant matter from the rainforest, darkening the water.
The amazing thing is that the two rivers run together without mixing for about four to six miles! This happens due to different pH balances, the speed in which each one flows and the temperature difference of each river. The Amazon River is much larger and about 10 degrees Fahrenheit colder than the Rio Negro, and flows much faster.
The rivers are great in size. The Amazon River is said to be about the size of six Mississippi Rivers’ wide side by side; and the Rio Negro, about two Mississippis’ wide. So, when they finally merge together they become the Lower Amazon River, and the size of eight Mississippi Rivers’ wide! A beautiful sight to behold!
Just like the two rivers flow together for a long while without mixing, I am reminded of a lesson in Bible class that we should be “in the world but not of the world”. Or, how the Lord would have us live according to 2 Cor. 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” NKJV Scripture taken from the New King James Version, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
So just like the two rivers, God would have us keep ourselves pure and holy and not mix with the flow of the world or do what others are doing just because most people are doing it. He wants us to follow Him and do what is right because He loves us, and we in turn love Him. Keep exercising your faith!
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