Lessons learned on the zipline

Last weekend, we had the amazing privilege of going on a retreat for the weekend to Lake Atitlan. I had no idea what to expect from the weekend, but was looking forward to it after staying at the orphanage full time for four days.

There are no words to describe the beauty of this lake! We had a perfect view of the volcanoes, the earth was so green, and the sky was just beautiful!

For the most part, there was no schedule (other than breakfast and supper), so we were free to do what we wanted. This ranged from hiking a volcano to cliff jumping to ziplining to resting. While I didn’t want anything too adventurous, I did want to do some exploring, so decided to go with a couple other girls who were heading out for a day of seeing monkeys, waterfalls, and butterflies. It seemed non-threatening enough, and I also knew I wouldn’t likely have another chance to see such things during my time in Guatemala.

As we were preparing to leave, we joined up with the group of zipliners, as the ziplining took place in the same place.. We hopped on the “ferry” to cross the lake, then started walking toward town. A couple of the girls I was with decided they might be interested in ziplining and I thought, “Oh great! I’m probably going to be dragged into this too!” When asked if I wanted to go, I expressed my fear of heights and told them “no.”
As we walked along, I thought about the list I had JUST made the day before of who I wanted to be in 11 months. The list that included “I want to be able to face my fears and put aside my worries.” God, did you HAVE to remind me of that?!

We arrived at the park, paid the entrance and ziplining fee, signed our lives away, and headed down to be strapped up. I watched carefully as they strapped each person up and thought, “They look pretty sturdy, but will they really hold us.” I listened carefully to the instructions that Michelle translated for us, as our guides did not speak much English, and thought, “Ok, they seem to know what they’re doing. I wonder how many people have died here!”

After a short “practice line,” we hiked the path to the first line, where we waited and waited and waited for the second guide to join us. I watched as each person was attached to the line and let go, praying for them the whole time, “God, please don’t let them die!!!!” And then it was my turn. I stepped up and watched as our guide attached me to the line and looked at him for the “Okay, go!” He patted me shoulder and said “Relax. It’s okay.” I apparently looked as terrified as I was! When he told me to “Go,” I held on with all my might and prayed the whole time, “GOD, PLEASE DON’T LET ME DIE!” In seconds, I was at the end of the line. It was over!

Hanging on for dear life!!!

Or was it?! Nope, I had seven more lines to go!!!! WHAT?! Line number two came. I watched as each person was attached to the line and let go, praying for them the whole time, “God, please don’t let them die!!!!” And then it was my turn. I stepped up and watched as our guide attached me to the line and looked at him for the “Okay, go!” He patted me shoulder and said “Relax. It’s okay.” I apparently looked as terrified as I was! When he told me to “Go,” I held on with all my might and prayed the whole time, “GOD, PLEASE DON’T LET ME DIE!”

This is the process I followed for the first four lines.

As I waited for my turn on the fifth line, I thought, “I’ve gone on four lines so far. I’m still alive. Everyone else is saying how beautiful it is. Maybe I should try to look around.”

As I took off on line five, I turned my head to look around and was amazed by God’s creation! It was beautiful! I saw everything in a new view, in a new light. A view that I would not have seen if I had decided just to look at the monkeys, waterfalls, and butterflies from the ground. A view that I would have missed if I had decided I was going to give into my fears.

After actually enjoying lines five through eight, I thought we were finished. But, another surprise! There was a “ropes course,” of sorts. The first portion of it consisted of walking across a rope bridge that had most of the pieces missing. The second part was wooden swings that you had to walk across.

We had two choices: walk two steps to our starting location, or go through the ropes course. I considered my options, looking back and forth, and thought “If I’m going to go in, I might as well go all in.” I watched as the other girls went before me. Everyone got across the rope bridge pretty easily, but the swings were proving to be much harder. I stepped out carefully onto the bridge and walked slowly (okay, VERY SLOWLY) across. I thought, “That wasn’t too bad.” And then I stepped out on the swings. Let me tell you, THAT was terrifying. I had to keep reminding myself that I was still attached to the line and that if I fell, it wouldn’t be a tragedy. I made it across several of the swings (after a very long time) and then it happened.

I FELL!

I fell and couldn't pull myself back up. Immediately, the others in the group came forward to help me. Through their encouragement and with the help of our guide, I was able to make it to the end of the course.

The ropes course at the end