(This is a little long but totally worth the read & there are some great pics so read the whole thing (: )
This past weekend I climbed the third highest volcano in central america, Volcano Acatenango. It is no longer an active volcano but Volcano Fuego (means fire in Spanish) is right next to it and is still active. In fact, it was erupting like crazy the whole time we were there. Volcano Acatenango is 13,045 feet high and the hardest thing I have ever done. But the views at the top and along the way were so beyond worth it. God is an incredible creator and we are living in his masterpiece of creation.
3 of my teammates and I hiked the volcano and slept overnight on the top with a tour company. We were with 14 other people from all over the world and with all different beliefs. On the race you are constantly in Christian community so this was a step into the “real” world. My teammates and I immediately noticed the difference and called each other to the highest of standards to be ambassadors of the Gospel and the amazing God we love and serve. As we stood at the base of the volcano Kat, Kendall, Ans and I stood together, hands held and in prayer for the hike, experience and everyone on the volcano. I peaked my eyes open and saw people from our group staring at us but hey it’s chill. Throughout the hike I was constantly asking the Lord for energy and strength. Climbing up volcanic rock is not easy-at all. Ans gave us the verse Philippians 2:13-16 in the message version which says this, “That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully- no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and the living God. Carry the light-giving Message not the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.” I repeated this verse over and over throughout the amazingly intense hike up. 6 hours later….. we got to the top. OH MY… we had fuego erupting to our right, all of Guatemala we could look out on and an amazing blue sky.
We sat there in absolute awe of creation and thanking the Lord for his fancy hands which created this amazing view. It was hard and sad to sit there and listen to other people in our group reactions to the view which usually included swearing up a storm. The next morning we woke up at 4 am to hike to the summit of the volcano. That was the hardest thing I ever done. I wanted to quit so many times but God continually gave me the strength to get to the top to see the incredible sunrise
I saw that and literally fell on my knees in tears. I had done it. I had made it to the top not by my own will but with the strength of the creator of that sunrise. On the way done from the summit I got to ski down the volcanic rocks and it was one of the coolest things. We packed up and headed down. I was in front by our guide and just talking to him about the volcano, his life, etc. At a water break he saw my tattoo and asked what it meant (my tattoo says Difference Maker). I gave my little explanation that I give when people ask. “I got this tattoo because the saying difference maker is the mindset I want to have for everything in my life. I always have the opportunity to make a difference whether small or big in any situation to anyone.” I could see him take that in for a second and he goes “yeah, I would agree with that. There’s definitely something different about you.” Then the rest of our group came and I didn’t have the opportunity to dig deeper. Later on the way down I was a little more ambitious than the rest of our group so our guide told me where to go ahead to wait so I kept going by myself. I got stuck behind this other group of 4 Australians. They were talking about their views on certain topics specifically coincidences, creation, etc. I couldn’t pass them because the trial was very narrow so I ended up listening in on their whole conversation and it was painful to hear. It was sad to listen to how lost people are. While walking behind them, God said to me, “This is why I need you. This is why you are in the world. People are lost everywhere you go and need to hear my name.” I didn’t get to talk with them and I was disappointed but looking back I know why the Lord showed me that. I’ve continued to struggle with our set ministry. Especially these past weeks, I haven’t felt like I have been doing much but I’ve realized that’s not the point. The world is incredibly broken and lost. People desperately need Jesus. It can be the people I am on the top of a volcano with or the tour guide that got us there or the person sitting next to me at a restaurant or the waitress serving me. The World Race is an opportunity to meet people from all over the world who are usually searching for something- they might not know it but it’s usually God. As time is wrapping up in Guatemala (5 days to be exact) I look back and realized I missed out on a lot. A lot of people I overlooked. As I move onto South Africa , I have a new mindset and am praying for God to use it in amazing ways. That being said I am still about $1,800 short from being fully supported. Please Please playfully consider financially supporting me so I can continue on the race. You can donate at the top of my blog (:
Here’s some more pics from the volcano because God is beyond rad and creation rocks.
“Just because creation gives God great delight, we cannot say that He is worshipping it; rather, He is worshipping Himself as He sees His goodness bringing such blessing to people that they give their heartfelt thanks and praise to Him for the benefits He imparts.” -Daniel Fuller
Until next time & incase any of you miss me, my horrible jokes, loud laugh & smile- here’s me alive, well & incredibly in love with our creator God…..
Brump (Bri Stump)
