I struggle with words and expressing myself often.But as I endured what I would say was my most difficult challenge mentally, spiritually, and physically, I expressed my frustrations clearly!
My team and I were in the beautiful city of Boquete, Panama for a few days on our rest/adventures days and we were definitely going to make the most of it!
So why not climb the largest mountain in Panama…Volcán Barú.
Yeah we climbed a VOLCANO. The “we” in that statement couldn’t be more true!
With lack of sleep due to excitement and a mix of other things, my body started feeling sick the first few steps into the hike. But climbing a volcano was something I always wanted to do. I wasn’t giving up.
I turned to my teammates and shared what was going on. They instantly offered their support by praying over me.
It gave me the strength and motivation to keep going.
At about 2 km of 13.5 km (one way) most of us thought, would this first hill ever end?
I was so ready to turn back when my teammate Zach reminded me that it’s a “mindset” and to redirect my focus on the Lord.
When I started to give my thoughts of defeat to the Lord I saw progress.
Which was hard because you only could see about a few steps in front of you with your head lamps.
This was a night hike to see the sunrise.
It would be worth it!
When we reached a little over half way, I noticed I was constantly the one furthest behind.
My good friend Kenadi and my new Panamanian friend Steve kept staying back with me.
It was getting hard to breathe. I was hit with altitude sickness.
It frustrated me because I finally had the right mindset to push through faster, but now I had to go slower.
Through that, the Lord reminded me that it’s okay to say what you need. So with frustration, I expressed to the team I once again had to slow down.
Katie instantly took my pack and added it to her load. It offered me a few moment’s to breathe. I felt the presence of the Lord strongly in the moment, physically lifting my burden.
Having to slow down meant the chance of not getting to see the sunrise.
There were several moments we all had glimpses of doubt, some more voiced (or cried) than others. Even physical things that tried to keep us from going.
When we kept giving it to God through worship and prayer we had His power to keep going. It was neat to see God each give us the strength at different times to encourage the team.
There was even one point as I was singing praise I had more breathe than when I wasn’t!
So did we make it?!
Yes! An hour before the expected sunrise. Every person we talked to said it would take us 6-8 hours.
We made it in 6!
As we shivered (because it was freezing) in anticipation for the sunrise, we were surrounded by gusts of winds (thought they’d blow me off the mountain) and cloud-filled skies.
The thought of “Could this be for nothing?” slowly creeped my mind.
But in this case, the teaching moments from the journey of the hike were far more valuable than the view of our destination. Although I didn’t see the “sunrise” I saw our faiths rise!
Special thanks to each one of my teammates; Zach, Katie, Kenadi, Oto/Steve
(our Panamanian friend) and Julius (our German friend). Also to all the rest of the members of our team back home who took care of us post hike and supported us in prayer before, during, and after!
