The Summit

At 17, I took the trip of a lifetime. Two and a half weeks in Australia flew by as my group skipped up the east coast, visiting cities like Sydney, Cairns, and Darwin. I was allowed to tour the Sydney Opera House and Harbor, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and patrol the skies in a hot air balloon. My time "down under" created many wonderful memories but the one that's clearest was a small island, Fitzroy-something-or-another. Although the name and exact location have been buried by other bits of my history, the experience of that single day is something I will never forget.

A group of 30 or so high school students were given the task of hiking "to the lighthouse." The small structure hung precariously from the edge of a ragged cliff, hundreds of feet above the waves below, and it was our job to make it there by noon. In 90 degree weather the hike was slowed by sweat and the lackadaisical attitude of teenagers but eventually, everyone was accounted for.

A short burst of celebration ensued - we could now return to the bottom for ice cream! However, before we began the easy task of romping downhill, assisted by gravity, our trip leader offered another challenge…. a second hike, straight up an enormous mountain, to a place called The Summit

Although chocolate ice cream had scarcely sounded better, at 17, it's more important to fill your ego than your belly and I wanted to impress the other members of my team. After contemplating my options and priorities, I decided the ice cream would have to wait and I joined the other 6 or so students that had opted for the second hike.

I'll never forget the experience that followed my simple, "I'll go."

I don't know how many miles that second hike was but at the time it seemed as if we were trying to reach the heavens. Every muscle burned and muscles I didn't know I had ached long before I reached the top. My canteen was emptied 30 minutes after we left the lighthouse and by the time The Summit arrived, I wondered if my esophagus would never forgive me.

But eventually, after leaning on trees, taking short rests, convincing myself that the end would never come and then moments later assuring myself it MUST lay just around the corner, The Summit stood wide open before me.

I had never experienced anything like it, nor have since. It's one of those, once-in-a-lifetime moments where your heart stands still and your next breath is caught before allowing to escape. I honestly can't describe the scene, although it's still clear in my memory. From the Summit it seemed like I could see the whole world and the view instantly removed any trace of exhaustion.

It was amazing.

On the hike down I realized the opportunity I had nearly missed. Only a quarter of the students on that trip attempted to reach the Summit that year, and after we returned, full of vibrancy and excitement, the regret of the others was evident. Once refreshed and rehydrated, some asked to try to the hike again, but they had missed their only shot - our boat was leaving and there wasn't enough time.

I wonder if The Summit is like my time here. The journey of the last six months has undoubtedly been the hardest thing I've ever endured. And it's not over yet. Everyday I continue the count down that will one day terminate with me taking a jet plane to the US...but perhaps the journey is what will make my arrival so beautiful.

On the Move

I know my blogging has slacked but I've been struggling with what to right about. The situation here has continued to deteriorate to such a degree that I've been battling daily to escape the clutch of old demons like depression and utter desperation.

I'll spare you the details, mostly because words can't express how much my soul longs to be in fellowship again, and instead, clue you in one what’s been happening over the last few weeks….

Although it’s still under construction, Jackie and Hernando have decided to move into their new house in Villa Mella because they can no longer afford their current home in Tres Ojos. And so, little by little Hernando has been transporting loads of belongings across town and stacking boxes floor to ceiling in the new house's living room. Without the dorms or dining room, the home in Vella Mella is infinitely smaller than where they currently reside, but Jackie is determined to make due with the blessings she has; During the day, the outside patio will serve as kitchen and dining room, and at night, mattresses will be strewn sporadically on the floor.

It's a very stressful time for everyone because Jackie and Hernando are trying to move out before they owe another month's rent. To make matters worse, Brittany and Hugo (Jackie's daughter and son-in-law) moved out and Wilkin (another adult) has been asked to stay in the new house to watch over the property and belongings that are delivered daily. Since Hernando spends his days loading and unloading the van, Jackie is attempting to supervise 23 children by herself....in addition to doing the cooking and cleaning!!

To help speed along the move, I was preparing the walls for a new coat of paint, mending holes, removing shelves, and dissembling some of the BIGGEST, HEAVIEST, and most indestructible bunk beds known to man. It took ALL day just to get two sets apart!! But if the jobs themselves weren’t hard enough, the hot temperatures, random critters, and lack of electricity certainly made for exhausting days.

Some nights I was left working in the dark, using only my cell phone for illumination and the noise always scared creepy creature from their hiding places. In three days I was greeted with critters like rats, tarantulas, and giant cockroaches!

Bryan, Carlos & Laura showing off their muscles after loading the truck

Magdalena using her spidey vision to help illuminate the walls!