We had set up camp last night in a layer of clouds, so we did not realize what an amazing view God provided for us until we woke up early this morning to the sounds of birds and waterfalls.
We took some time to enjoy the view then headed up the mountain to find the Incan ruins. The entrance to the ruins was hidden behind overgrowth and vines, but once we entered we found rooms, tunnels, archways, and windows. I was exploring while Ginger and Candice were crawling through one of the rooms. I stepped on a patch of vines and felt rocks underneath; I took another step and the rocks gave way beneath me. Out of reflexes I flung my arms out and caught myself on the sides of the rock walls, but I was slipping and my legs were dangling. It seemed like a scene from Indiana Jones. The vines held me up long enough for me to scramble up the side of the wall. I looked down into the hole and saw that I would have taken about an 8 foot plunge if the vines had not caught me. Once again the Lord had provided for me and this time He provided safety. I was so thankful that I had not been hurt other than a little scrape that I did not even think of the damage I had caused to the ruins. Now I feel guilty about the destruction I caused to the ancient structure.
The ruins sit at 12,550 feet. Candice, Ginger, and I decided that we could not go back down the mountain until we reached 13,000 feet. Against our better judgment we went off the trail and went straight up the mountain. Thirty minutes of climbing through cactus, itch-weed, and rocks took us to 13,105 feet; that’s 4,305 feet higher than we started. Then came the tricky part; climbing back down to the ruins without a trail. God continued to provide safety for us, but allowed a few slips and tumbles along the way. I could have done without the itch-weed that burned our arms and legs on contact, but was grateful to make it back to the trail.
The descent back down the mountain through the clouds took about 3 hours and a lot of impact on the joints. I prayed that we would make it to the bottom without rain and that we would make it back to Lima in time for our mandatory Squad dinner. We were right on schedule as we reached the steps at the base of the city. A little old lady was about half of the way down the stairs when we passed her. I greeted her, “Buenas Senora.” The petite lady with a big smile grabbed my hand, continued making the arduous trip down the stairs, and started talking. She told me that she was going to ride a car to the city below, but there were no cars available. She has arthritis, so the steps are very painful. “I’m so grateful that you came to help me, you must be in a hurry, you should leave me.” I knew we were pressed for time, but she kept holding on to me so I continued the very slow walk down the stairs with her. Finally she let go of my hand, “Your time is precious and your friends are waiting. Just leave me here.” But, she grabbed Ginger’s hand and continued to walk with Ginger. So I grabbed her unusually muscular arm and the three of us descended the stairs together. She insisted that we go so she could rest at the bottom of the hill while she waited for a car, so we said goodbye.
It just started to rain as we made it into the village where we waited five minutes under an awning to catch a shuttle to the bigger town of Canta. Just as we pulled into Canta a bus back to Lima was loading. We grabbed some crackers for lunch and climbed on the bus back. Three and a half hours later we were back in Lima where we caught a Combi van back to the church just in time for dinner. The Lord had provided for our transportation needs and kept us dry. The small plate of rice and a chicken patty did not fill me up after our two physical days and meals of crackers. My team went to a cell group meeting and afterwards at 10:00 at night the leaders treated us to a meal of chicken and French fries. What a great end to the day of the Lord providing for my needs and desires.
