As my squadmate, April, and I were climbing up the mountain to lake Humantay, we realized how difficult it was. It took us about one hour and forty minutes to make it to the top (incline the whole way). Allow me to paint you a picture:
- There were many rocks and it was drizzling, which made the ground slippery. We had to make multiple stops along the way to catch our breath.
- Right before the Lake, we decided to treat ourselves with a little snack. There was one hut with an older man named Marino working it. We told him we were missionaries and he gave us a free bag of chips.
- Then when we reached the top, the view was absolutely stunning and worth the climb.
- Going down, we prayed with Marino and he gave us two more free bags of chips. We tried to decline but he insisted.
- We practically ran down the hill because we had to use the restroom and I only slipped and fell once (Praise God!). It took us about 50 minutes to make it down.
I’m beginning to realize many lessons can be learned from climbing mountains. The Lord definitely speaks through nature. At first it felt a little defeating to continue stopping but when we did, we had the opportunity to look behind. I saw how beautiful and creative God is in each crevice of the mountain and the natural waterfalls flowing through some of them. When I saw the fog on the mountain, I was reminded not to haze over the beauty of the Lord. I can be so fixated on the destination that I forget to see how God is working in the journey. Maybe the destination isn’t the purpose of why I was there at all. The purpose can be found in what God is doing along the way.
There was one snack stand at the top of the mountain, a clear indication that the Lord had a plan for us to stop there. As we were getting our food, I noticed the man did a Catholic prayer after he received the money. I told him we were missionaries and he thanked us and gave us a free bag of chips. Something small but definitely not to go unnoticed. Once we reached the lake, we were in awe of the beauty. The snow at the top of the mountains down to the warmth at the bottom reminds me of God’s diversity. In one view, we saw a vast range. I started thinking why He created such beautiful sights. And He whispered it’s because He loves His kids a lot. Up at the top of this mountain, I couldn’t feel the hurt and pain of the world that was happening at the bottom. A few moments I was still and felt a deep appreciation and love for my Father. I was at peace.
On our way down, we stopped to pray with Marino. He was a sweet man filled with a soft smile that brought joy to my heart. Then he gave us two more bags of chips for free! Another small gesture that meant more than the bag of chips. I felt the love of God break through language barriers once again. As we were running down the hill, I was impressed at our ability/endurance to be able to do such a thing. Especially being able to get up there. God created us so intentionally and uniquely.
It’s important for me to take moments to be still with the Lord and open to hearing the whispers. The pains of the world can feel heavy but God is sovereign and always good. He wants me to have so many moments of sitting in His presence and feeling His deep deep love. It can be on a mountain, at a table, or on a street. God will meet me when I seek Him. The journey isn’t always easy. Asking God to break my heart for what breaks His comes with pain but He gives so many pockets of light in it. The walk up the mountain was tough but when I took a moment to look around, I saw so much beauty. Enduring the pain is a part of finding the beauty.
Much love,
Anna 🙂
