“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Who has understood the mind of the Lord or instructed him as his counselor?
Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? … Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord’; my cause is disregarded by my God’?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:12-14; 27-31
Imposing, lonely shrines standing lifeless and cold mark the locations of worship for the ancient Mayan culture.
A once dominant culture, the worship of false gods was manifest in every area of Mayan life and the fear of divine reprisal ensconced the people in overwhelming fear.
Sacrifices to appease these gods grew to such horrific extremes (tongues, breasts, genitals, even the freshly harvested hearts of young virgin girls) that it can only be described as demonic. In fact, many believe that the sudden disappearance of the Mayan people occurred because child sacrifice obliterated an entire generation and was a travesty that destroyed the future of the entire people group.
Mayan Ruins at the Plaza de Cruces
(this is a shot from the highest temple of the King´s Palace)
An oppression lives over this area rooted in a series of generational curses, ones which affect the lives and journeys of the people of Palenque.
As WorldRacers we have not witnessed exemption from spiritual attack – ones that seem so commonplace to the people here in Palenque.
Yet, light is not absent in this darkened grotto.
Sunday we visited Central Christo Maranatha Iglesia to celebrate “Three Kings Day” with the congregation there.
This holiday is a close relative to Christmas and is yet another celebration of the coming of “Jesucristo” to earth.
A fattened cow is slaughtered in celebration and any and all are invited to attend – and attend they did.
Not only did sixty Americans armed to the teeth with digital cameras, Nalgene bottles and sunglasses attract enough attention, but the blaring music and succulent aroma of roasting beef brought inhabitants from all around the area to the celebration.
And celebrate we did.
This week, in general, has been a time of sifting for us as WorldRacers.
Sickness has brought a significant amount of discouragement and reflection for many of us.
The traveling lifestyle has robbed us of creature comforts and securities we have taken for granted.
We are learning what it means that “the Son of Man had no place to lay his head.”
It has been a week of struggles, battles, victories, tears and confirmation of God’s call to this experience.
This is but the first stage of the sanctifying work this experience has to offer.
It’s harder than I ever thought it would be, but I have never been more sure that I’m here “for such a time as this.”
Team 61 at the highest point of the highest temple of the Plaza de Cruces
(Left to Right, Top to Bottom) Becca, Jennifer, Katie, Stacy, Josh, Jimmy (Hannah not pictured)
