A few weeks ago when our squad arrived in Antigua, Guatemala we learned that the monstrous
active volcano (Mt. Pacaya) that looms over that ancient city was climbable. Who wouldn’t want to climb an active volcano but a bunch of crazy young adults traveling around the world? So we rose to the task one day…paid the equivalent of 10 USD and we were off for a day of adventure. I think most of us agreed to the hike without much hesitation at first…I mean, it couldn’t POSSIBLY be that bad or hard…right? Our day started with a bus taking us up about three quarters of the mountain…where we were left to tackle the last 4.5 kilometers on foot. Our guides kept saying, “Ellos es muy loco”…why on earth would they be telling us we were crazy…hmm…if that wasn’t fair warning….well….
active volcano (Mt. Pacaya) that looms over that ancient city was climbable. Who wouldn’t want to climb an active volcano but a bunch of crazy young adults traveling around the world? So we rose to the task one day…paid the equivalent of 10 USD and we were off for a day of adventure. I think most of us agreed to the hike without much hesitation at first…I mean, it couldn’t POSSIBLY be that bad or hard…right? Our day started with a bus taking us up about three quarters of the mountain…where we were left to tackle the last 4.5 kilometers on foot. Our guides kept saying, “Ellos es muy loco”…why on earth would they be telling us we were crazy…hmm…if that wasn’t fair warning….well….At first the hike was surprisingly pleasant. Yes we were climbing significantly in elevation making breathing troublesome at times-however, the night before our hike one of my squadmates prayed over my lungs (I had suffered from chronic bronchitis on and off for the last 3 months) and I didn’t 
really have much trouble breathing that day-something that surprised me. (more thoughts on this at the end)…
really have much trouble breathing that day-something that surprised me. (more thoughts on this at the end)… After almost 2 hours of hiking we reached what seemed to be the top…but in reality we still had a good 1/4 of the way to go. So we took a break and took in the view not thinking about the fact that this was the farthest you could go by horse…hmmm I wonder why? The last part of the climb proved to be one of the hardest, steepest, climbs of my entire life. We were now past the tree line hiking through knee deep ash…well I should probably say SLIDING through knee deep ash. The climb quickly turned treacherous as the knee deep ash was replaced with “lava rocks”; loose rocks that are super sharp to touch (due to the cooling and remelting of the lava). We were now hiking on all fours up an incline that was about at a 45 degree angle. Each step up on the treacherous, sharp rocks caused you to slide 3 steps backwards…and to make things even MORE fun and interesting the rock was beginning to get hot because 
we were getting close to the volcano’s crator. At one point I wanted to give up. I was tired, I had now cut my hand several times on the sharp rock, I was out of breath, and the sheer reality of how high we were and the treacherousness of the situation made me want to throw in the towel. Upon hearing me say that, a girl coming down the mountain said, “NO! Don’t give up now! You are almost there and I promise it is worth it!” SO I kept trudging along, asking the Lord to give me strength for each step. Finally we reached “the top” (really not the top but as far as they will “safely” let you climb) and we found ourselves standing on rock that was NEW, watching molten lava spill out just feet before us. (In fact you could feel the heat through your shoes). After roasting some marshmellows and taking some pictures to prove our crazy story it was time to head back down the mountain. Now if you can imagine the climb UP the mountain please try to picture how HARD going DOWN was going to be. 
I was by this point physically exausted and my fear of heights was kicking in full force. BUT the Lord was good to me, and one of the guides helped me down the whole way…a BLESSING I can promise you!
we were getting close to the volcano’s crator. At one point I wanted to give up. I was tired, I had now cut my hand several times on the sharp rock, I was out of breath, and the sheer reality of how high we were and the treacherousness of the situation made me want to throw in the towel. Upon hearing me say that, a girl coming down the mountain said, “NO! Don’t give up now! You are almost there and I promise it is worth it!” SO I kept trudging along, asking the Lord to give me strength for each step. Finally we reached “the top” (really not the top but as far as they will “safely” let you climb) and we found ourselves standing on rock that was NEW, watching molten lava spill out just feet before us. (In fact you could feel the heat through your shoes). After roasting some marshmellows and taking some pictures to prove our crazy story it was time to head back down the mountain. Now if you can imagine the climb UP the mountain please try to picture how HARD going DOWN was going to be. I was by this point physically exausted and my fear of heights was kicking in full force. BUT the Lord was good to me, and one of the guides helped me down the whole way…a BLESSING I can promise you!
For me, this adventure was more than just an adventure. God used this situation to teach me several things. First, I realized that God had brought healing into my lungs. I realized this when I noticed everyone around me breathing hard due to the elevation and severity of the hike, but I wasn’t. After struggling for 3 months with bronchitis can you even begin to believe how BIG of a deal this was? Second, the Lord used this situation to show me that HE is bigger than the fear that certain situations may envoke. He is able to help me with each treacherous step along life’s journey. Three: often times we face trials and struggles in our lives that are much like me climbing up the last part of this volcano. At times you want to throw in the towel and give up, but then someone comes along and encourages you to keep going and tells you that the top is just within reach…and something inside of you rises up. That something is perseverance and the Lord gives it to us often when we are at our weakest moments…when we think we can’t go another step. But perseverance ALLOWS us the sense of achievement when we 
reach the top and realize the struggle was WORTH it all along. So climbing Mt. Pacaya for me was about a testing and strengthing of my faith, of the determination and willpower inside of me to rise up in extremely HARD situations and trudge through to the end. It showed me the reliance I NEED on the LORD and on the community of people HE has placed around me in order to walk through some of life’s hardest journeys. And the view from the top…well there is only one word to describe that…priceless.
reach the top and realize the struggle was WORTH it all along. So climbing Mt. Pacaya for me was about a testing and strengthing of my faith, of the determination and willpower inside of me to rise up in extremely HARD situations and trudge through to the end. It showed me the reliance I NEED on the LORD and on the community of people HE has placed around me in order to walk through some of life’s hardest journeys. And the view from the top…well there is only one word to describe that…priceless.
