Trip to the Mountains

One week ago, we went on a week long trip to the mountains. We climbed and hiked through the Andes, and much more! It was quite the adventure. The altitude was 15,000 feet. No cars, no water, no bathrooms, COLD (40s and 50s), sleeping on the ground with sheep skins, houses made out of stone and grass roofs, killing sheep, and eating new things, such as "sheep stomach” and “brain” soup and a hundred flavors of tea from different plants and herbs. We hauled rain buckets for water, split firewood, and slaughter lunch (sheep). I gutted the sheep and was about to throw it in the woods—like deer hunting—but the national pastor passed me a bag to but the guts in to save for soup.

It was a blessing to see the church there in the mountains. Just like a Chinese house church looks different than a State-side mega-church, this little mountain church was very different from our churches here in Lima and our churches in the States. There was no false doctrine, just different methodology. It’s a different culture and a different world. So that means the worship, prayer, and even language is bound to be different. I was blessed to see a people worship their Savior Biblically and personally in their own culture—quite different than what I am accustomed to.

Of course, I got sick one night with a light fever and stomach problems. But, even with the struggles, this trip was enlightening. We really are blessed with all our electronics, cars, heaters, etc. Although I am probably not called to the mountains, I really enjoyed the view, the experience, and the nothingness—when I say nothingness I mean for HOURS there was literally nothing to do—as we climbed through the mountains we would see people pasturing sheep, goats, and llamas. Now I know why David was a “man after God's own heart.” He had nothing to do but sit around, look at God's creation, and talk to God all day. Man was it nice to just do NOTHING, without people, cars, electronics, and other distractions. It was just me and my God and His creation. Meditation on the Word was GREAT this week. Some of my ways, desires, etc. were measured by His Word and found wanting—I lack so much to be a man after God's own heart. It is all part of the process called sanctification—God taking me from where I am, and bringing me closer to Himself.

Be in prayer for Camps. The next 4 weeks we will be leaders and helpers in different camps. Pray for safety, health, salvations, and God's wisdom and Spirit to work in the lives of those we are ministering to.