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| So beautiful |
On the way up the mountain, it was around a 4 hour drive to the village. For about 2 hours, we drove a winding paved road. It was relatively smooth, but very curvy and quite a few of us were nauseous from the constant movement. As we drove higher and higher, the clouds got closer and closer and many times, we could only see about 10 feet in front of the car. Then at a little over halfway to the village, I truly understood what our dorm dad meant when he said that we needed to take the trucks that "could make it up the mountain". All of the sudden the paved path was gone and in its place was mud and rocks and sometimes maybe two strips of cement where the tires could go. The hills were so steep, they were almost vertical. I'm not quite sure how we even made it up some of the hills. Climbing one steep hill we would see a steep path down, then a sharp turn and another very steep hill. It was the bumpiest ride I have ever been on - even bumpier than those old wooden roller coasters at amusement parks. But, just in the ride up the mountain, God showed me some things.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
The ends of the earth are not easy to reach - we're not always going to feel comfortable. Sometimes we may get sick on the way and be very nauseous as many of us where on the car ride up the mountain, but those people on the ends of the earth need to hear. They are just as important. God wants all to be saved - sometimes, we have to sacrifice our temporary comforts so that more may hear of the sweet name of Jesus and the gospel message.
"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'" Psalm 32:8
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7
Just as we traveled on the bumpy road up the mountain, we also each travel a path as we journey through this life. Sometimes, it may be smooth (as the paved road was), other times, the path we're on may get pretty rough (as the path up the mountain was with only the mud and rocks). Even though the path changed, it was still the same person driving us up the mountain. In the same way, even though our path in life may be smooth sometimes and in the blink of an eye become so bumpy it seems out of control - we need to remember, the same God is still leading us on our path. He is with us in the good and bad times. He is faithful and will guide us and see us through. What a comfort. What a wonderful, loving God we serve.
So I will leave you all with this - take comfort in knowing God has you in the palm of His Hands and He will guide you and He will not let you fall - take comfort and....
"Don't be dejected or sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10b
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| Hiking up the mountain (after we drove, we had to hike to where we were staying) |
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| Cooking dinner |
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| Twins! |
Please pray for us as we begin to say goodbye and wrap up our time here. Thanking our Father for the wonderful blessing this trip has been - I wouldn't have wanted to spend my summer any other way.
- Alyssa