We just returned this afternoon from an incredible adventure climbing Iliniza Norte - the 8th highest peak in Ecuador. A very significant team-bonding moment happened a day before departing for the climb with all the students making the qualifying time of 48 minutes to hike up 1,500' to the top of the mountain on the El Refugio property. Some of the students were having serious doubts if they would be able to get under the time needed so to see them all make it with the incredible encouragement and teamwork was a time of strength for LIFT 33 - knowing it was all coming from God. That attitude continued to the summit day when everyone was divided into 5 climbing teams, working their way up from basecamp at 4 a.m. to the refuge (climbing hut) at midpoint to the small rocky peak in the clouds about 5 - 6 hours later.
We were blessed with gorgeous weather, starting under a clear starry sky then under the warm beam of the rising sun backlighting Cotopaxi and other close peaks nearing 20,000'. Stunning scenery was slowing the progress of a few groups as they were "compelled" to keep taking once-in-a-lifetime pictures. This lasted until mid-morning when the valley clouds rose to engulf the mountain.
Climbing at high altitude is unpredictable in how it affects the physiology of each person. Five of our women had to turn around when reaching the refuge because of feeling ill and losing coordination. Each team reached the summit about 20 minutes apart, exchanging high-fives and hugs as they passed each other where teams typically get congested having to share fixed lines for safety when going up and down the final pitches. There was a lot of emotion as many reached a goal they set 2 1/2 months ago, not knowing if it was really possible.
We hiked with the Latin students who are Alturas, a the discipleship program of El Refugio, inspired by LIFT three years ago. It was the first time for some of them to climb a mountain and be in snow. It was a lot of fun to work together with a number of Ecuadorians, and students from Columbia, Honduras, and Costa Rica - all brothers and sisters in Christ desiring to grow in their faith. Strength came from the teamwork of each other but even more from God. Praises were being lifted up all throughout the day to our amazing and majestic God and creator by a variety of tongues and nations represented - kind of a foretaste of things to come in the new heaven and new earth.
We finished debriefing the two-week LIFT experience in Ecuador this afternoon and what God has been teaching us. As we wrap up our time here, the students are packing and having some personal time of reflection and worship.
With the grace of God, LIFT arrives back at Camp Thursday (3/26) morning around 9:45. LIFT will be hosting a forum about their Ecuador experience on Wednesday, April 15th @ 7:00 p.m. in the Buirkle Center at CAMP-of-the-WOODS. If you can find the time and make the drive, we would love to see you there to hear from the students about the heights God has brought them and what he is doing in the lives of many in Ecuador. There will also be some tasty samples of Ecuadorian food to try.
To see the latest photos please visit the LIFT Discipleship Program Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram
Jim Olsen from El Refugio staff just recently added a post to the El Refugio blog about our time in Oyacachi. Check it out:
http://www.haciendaelrefugio.com/blog/
We were blessed with gorgeous weather, starting under a clear starry sky then under the warm beam of the rising sun backlighting Cotopaxi and other close peaks nearing 20,000'. Stunning scenery was slowing the progress of a few groups as they were "compelled" to keep taking once-in-a-lifetime pictures. This lasted until mid-morning when the valley clouds rose to engulf the mountain.
Climbing at high altitude is unpredictable in how it affects the physiology of each person. Five of our women had to turn around when reaching the refuge because of feeling ill and losing coordination. Each team reached the summit about 20 minutes apart, exchanging high-fives and hugs as they passed each other where teams typically get congested having to share fixed lines for safety when going up and down the final pitches. There was a lot of emotion as many reached a goal they set 2 1/2 months ago, not knowing if it was really possible.
We hiked with the Latin students who are Alturas, a the discipleship program of El Refugio, inspired by LIFT three years ago. It was the first time for some of them to climb a mountain and be in snow. It was a lot of fun to work together with a number of Ecuadorians, and students from Columbia, Honduras, and Costa Rica - all brothers and sisters in Christ desiring to grow in their faith. Strength came from the teamwork of each other but even more from God. Praises were being lifted up all throughout the day to our amazing and majestic God and creator by a variety of tongues and nations represented - kind of a foretaste of things to come in the new heaven and new earth.
We finished debriefing the two-week LIFT experience in Ecuador this afternoon and what God has been teaching us. As we wrap up our time here, the students are packing and having some personal time of reflection and worship.
With the grace of God, LIFT arrives back at Camp Thursday (3/26) morning around 9:45. LIFT will be hosting a forum about their Ecuador experience on Wednesday, April 15th @ 7:00 p.m. in the Buirkle Center at CAMP-of-the-WOODS. If you can find the time and make the drive, we would love to see you there to hear from the students about the heights God has brought them and what he is doing in the lives of many in Ecuador. There will also be some tasty samples of Ecuadorian food to try.
To see the latest photos please visit the LIFT Discipleship Program Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram
Jim Olsen from El Refugio staff just recently added a post to the El Refugio blog about our time in Oyacachi. Check it out:
http://www.haciendaelrefugio.com/blog/
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