Cuan Grande Es Dios!

We are back at El Refugio for our final full day in Ecuador.  Everyone will be serving in various work projects today and packing, then debriefing their experiences tonight and tomorrow morning. 

This past weekend we transitioned from the life-changing missions/ministry focus of the trip with the churches in El Chaco and Oyacachi to the adventure-side of the LIFT program by camping two nights and climbing one of Ecuador's big peaks - Illiniza Norte (at 16,818' it is the 8th highest). Early Sunday morning, starting out at 4 a.m. with headlamps, and hiking in 5 different groups, everyone was able to reach the summit between 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.  The groups moved slow and steady as they dealt with the effects of altitude and lower oxygen levels in their circulatory systems.  The last hour required each person attaching with their climbing harness to fixed ropes to ensure safety in high exposure areas. We were grateful that the conditions were amazing when we hiked and very rainy when we camped. 

The climb was a physical and psychological challenge for many as it was the first time to climb such a high mountain that is primarily rock and snow.  All the LIFTers who have been nursing tendonitis, ankle sprains, and knee injuries did fantastic.  Kate Trezise was also very thankful that she was able to climb again after two hip replacements this past year. We had 5 LIFTers that unfortunately could not climb due to illnesses (colds and stomach issues) that they acquired during the previous two weeks.  One LIFTer had to turn back within 15 minutes from the summit due to altitude sickness, but he maintained a great attitude through it all.  Overall, we had 40 people reach the summit - a pretty major undertaking of a combination of LIFT students and staff, El Refugio staff and students, and professional Ecuadorian guides.  We had the best sunsets and sunrises I have seen in Ecuador - being able to see the Andean skyline of all the big peaks of Ecuador within 150 miles.  The Lord was displaying his glory, majesty, and power throughout the whole experience.  "Cuan Grande es Dios!" (How Great is Our God) followed by "Let Us Adore!" was sung /declared out to the mountains and the valleys below as we departed basecamp on Monday.

 

After the successful mountain experience, of which they have trained hard and prepared for during the semester, the students were filled with joy, awe and humility from the experience.  God has been answering many prayers and lavishly giving us "good gifts" that show us his amazing love and concern for the smallest of details in our lives.  Last night, Asha lead the group in a devotional time after dinner, focusing on the coming of Jesus, our great and mighty king, and the promise of a new earth and a new heaven from the book of Revelation.  This spurred a time of more wonder and amazement of the greatness of God. We continued in that mindset and started celebrating our time in Ecuador with all we have seen God doing by having a worship service around the campfire (smores included).  Tonight we continue to celebrate as we feast on Cuye (Guinea Pig), a typical rural Ecuadorian meal.

 
If you would like to see photos of the Illiniza climb you can visit the LIFT XXXI group page on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/438782246221589/


We will be posting pictures of our time in Oyacachi and El Chaco on the LIFT XXXI group page once we return later this week.  The pictures we would like to post will need to be edited and reformatted and will take a little time, but they are beautiful and a great representation of the experience.

Thanks so much for your prayers.  It has been evident in how God has been touching lives.  Please continue to pray, especially for safe travel as we depart Wednesday from Quito around 3 p.m. to arrive in JFK airport, NYC by midnight - then drive to Camp-of-the-Woods to arrive around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.