8 1/2 hours!! That’s how long it took us to hike up Acatenango volcano. I was one of the hardest things I have every done physically. It isn’t something I want to repeat in the near future. But there are multiple lessons that can be learned from the experience:
- So much of life involves your mind. Do you think you can do something? People often say you’re right whichever way you think. It is not only a physical battle to climb a volcano but a mental one as well. We need to have the right perspective. We often believe lies about ourselves and doubt that we can do things. We need to believe the truths that God tells us.
- We fail a lot in life. I fell 10 times or more on the way down the volcano. Some of the soil was slippery, and my legs were so tired they were giving out over and over. People talk about getting up after you fall. It can be hard, and sometimes you might not want to. You might get frustrated with how many times you stumble or fail, but it really is important to get back up and keep trying. (I successfully made it down the volcano with a scrape on my knee and several scrapes/scratches on my hands from trying to catch myself.)
- There are some things in life that people can see in different ways. There were a lot of roots and rocks on the hike. Some people might see them as a hindrance and something to avoid. Others might see them as a tool to use to climb more easily. However, you need to be careful. Some roots are sturdy and can help, while other roots might look sturdy but are actually loose. We have a choice. We can view and use things as boosters or obstacles.
- We need support. I had multiple people encouraging me as I went up and down the volcano. Sometimes I might slow them down, but they still supported me. They would encourage me to keep going, make sure I was okay, and be patient when I struggled. That support was so helpful on that volcano! Could I have climbed the volcano without anyone’s support (not including God)? Yes, but it would have been much more difficult and likely would have taken me a lot longer (if I didn’t give up). Support is so important to both receive and give.
What an adventure!! While that was a big adventure, there are so many more adventures happening every day. Please join me in spreading God’s Word and His love around the world. A little under $4,000 to go!
