Mountain Climbing

In our recent trip to Bolivia, Susan and I had the opportunity to observe from a distance a mountain we climbed together in the mid-80's. For years we lived surrounded by several snow-capped peaks. Somewhere along the line, with no formal training, we started to trek and, later, climb some of these Andean giants.

In 1986 we had the privilege of summiting Mururata, one of the smaller mountains at 19,300 feet above sea level. Without a doubt, it was one of the great adventures of our life together. A week before we climbed Mururata, a German three-man team lost two of its members on that same mountain. As a result we almost decided to not make our ascent. Still, we were young then, and at least one of us was not as wise as he hopes he is now.

Although we confronted several unexpected obstacles and temperatures much colder than anticipated, after two days of climbing we managed to summit. Well, we think we did. In the clouds and blowing snow it was a bit hard to get our bearings. Still, when we got to the top there was no place to go except down, and that is exactly what we did.

We are not experts, but our experiences have taught us several things about mountain climbing. It is hard work, very hard work. The sense of fatigue one feels above 18,000 feet is almost indescribable. It takes dedication and a firm vision of your goal. If you lose that you will get discouraged and never make it to the top. In climbing you want to make sure you choose your equipment with care. You want to have everything necessary, but you do not want to carry anything extra. Every pound counts. Shoot! Every ounce counts.

There is something similar between mountain climbing and being involved in God’s work. In fact, sometimes they are one in the same. In 1 Kings 18 we find Elijah and his servant near the top of Mt. Carmel. While Elijah waited, he sent his servant up to the very top to look for rain clouds. The man came down and reported there was nothing but blue sky and sunshine. Elijah sent him up again and again and again. If you remember the story, it was only on the seventh trip that Elijah’s servant saw a cloud “the size of a man’s palm.”

Susan and I have both been up to the top of Mt. Carmel. We were fortunate to be able to do the toughest part in a bus. While not one of the snow-capped Andean peaks of Bolivia, it is tall. It would take a lot of effort to go up once. To go back and forth seven times must have been very tiring… maybe even exasperating. Still, it took him seven trips to see what Elijah was expecting. Many times we have to try again and again and again in God’s work. There is nothing easy about it. Sometimes you do not see any results unless you are willing to make that seventh trip.

On September 20th, we felt like we were rewarded on our last trip up the hill. After two and a half years of construction we finally dedicated the new training building at the Multiplication Center here in San Isidro. Over one hundred people attended this service of commitment and celebration. Although the work was hard and sometimes discouraging, once again God has proven Himself to be faithful.