2/17/04--For three long hours this afternoon, our team trekked uphill through the
Andes Mountains. Hiking through thick mud, dirt, streams, rocks, and manure, we carried our backpacks, pausing from time to time to rest and take notice of God's magnificent creation; lest we walk through the beautiful
Andes Mountains and walk right by its powerful, enchanting beauty.
Cold wind, wet rain, and crocked paths laid challenges and obstacles at the foot of every turn. Shoulders sore, legs burning, body shivering, wet clothes clinging, strength fading, I climbed. An adventurous life is not necessarily an easy one. Lying in my tent right now though, I note that it was worth it.
Marcello, Chris and I just finished sharing God's word with two men and four kids in a place so remote that the gospel of Jesus has been all but forgotten. The Father, through His grace, allowed us to make the climb today. He brought us a contact that entered the community with us and introduced us to the man of peace, Santiago, whom God ordained beforehand.
Praise be to the holy, ever-providing God who equips His servants to go to the ends of the earth to testify to the gospel so that His fame may be known. May all peoples hear, bow down, and worship the one, true, living God. May His name be exalted higher than the highest mountains and beyond the most grandest of seas.
2/18/04 On a rock, by a river, surrounded by mountains on all sides, under the shade of the greenest trees, within ear-shot of at least ten waterfalls, I now rest.
David once wrote a Psalm that leads with the line, "The heavens declare the glory of God." I imagine that such revelation was inspired by a place similar to here. For the untouched, natural beauty of this place shouts God's glory and splendor and echoes throughout every valley.
Earlier this morning, at about six o'clock, we woke-up, packed-up, and then talked outside for awhile with Santiago. Just before leaving the community, we sat down inside Santiago's house for a hot cup of coco. It had a bit of a coffee taste to it as well, but on a cold morning like today, it was perfect. We prayed with Santiago and then began our descent down the mountain.
We are now only about 15 minutes away from the bottom, but since we're an hour ahead of the rest of our team?they got a later start this morning and were in a community a bit higher up?we figured it good to rest.
