Today I had a mountain top experience that left me so FILLED with JOY I can’t describe. As I was climbing back down the mountain I couldn’t get rid of the stupid grin on my face. As I left the base of the mountain I had tears as I realized how close I felt to God in that moment.
STOP before you think this is going to be a metaphor for a “holy mountain top experience” and a cheesy christian-ease blog…hold on. Today I literally was on a mountain. I went hiking in the Carpathian Mountains with 16 of my squad mates. It may still be a bit cheesy, but you’ll have to work through that on your own.
As we climbed up the side of a mountain we met two older ladies. We quickly discovered we had no common language, but realized through hand gestures, they had to go to a different part of the mountain to get cell service. They invited us to hike along with them up the mountain. We agreed. Along the way we saw their mother’s grave, Maria lit a candle, then moved to the nearby well and filled her 2 liter Coke bottle. She offered the metal cup tied to the well for us to get a drink of the fresh water. Her sister was a bit further behind, other squad mates waited for Ana to catch up and helped fill her 2 liter bottle. My squad mates carried their heavy bags. I can’t imagine hiking up a mountain carrying anything, let alone these heavy bags.
We hiked along behind Maria. I was constantly overcome at this chance meeting. My life in that moment felt like fiction. Walking along a Carpathian mountain behind a Romanian lady, who was short in stature, had rosy cheeks and a smile that could take a room. My heart was pounding, and not just because I was hiking a mountain. As we rounded the hill we could see a small roof just up the path. We had arrived at Maria and Ana’s home.
The view of the mountains was breathtaking. Maria invited us in to see their home. I literally wanted to squeal in glee. It felt like a picture book. From the blankets on the bed to the gas lamp that hung in one of the rooms. This was Maria and Ana’s life. She talked, we smiled, we nodded, and somehow through the language barrier, even joked with her.
Maria and Ana have sheep. Maria has 3 sons. They have lived on the mountain all of her life. They loved these American strangers and the one Canadian. For just a few brief moments they shared their lives with us.
We stayed for a few minutes, departing too soon (but late to get back down the mountain to meet our driver). I should have liked to stay longer and experience their lives. To follow Maria around the homestead and see the life in her eyes as she talked in Romanian about her life. We prayed for her, hugged, kissed, and departed.
This encounter was so simple. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t really momentous. But as we left I realized I had just had the highlight of my race. Meeting these women, seeing their lives, experiencing God in that moment was breathtaking. The lord cares for us so deeply, He didn’t want us to just experience Him through His creation. As a nature person I would have been amazed and felt so close to God through the hike, no matter what happened. But He wanted to show us His face. I am constantly amazed at His love for us and how tangibly He shows it. The lord had a purpose and a plan for us that day on the side of that Carpathian Mountain. I pray we loved our new friends well in those moments we shared. They certainly loved us well.
A piece of my heart will stay in Romania. I think, perhaps, I left a piece up on that mountainside in the quaint, cozy home of Maria and Ana.
