“…palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy” No, those are not the lines from a popular early 2000s rap song. On the contrary, those words are the finite description of the wearisome reality I landed myself in over a month ago as I all but crawled up a mountain in the Ouchita National Forest of the Arkansas back country. I love backpacking. I love backpacking like Kel loves orange soda and like Baptists love fried chicken. However, as thrilled as I am about being in no man’s land for days relying on nothing but Cliff Bars and sheer wit for survival, when there is nothing but the July sun on your back, your hiking partners’ complaints in your ears, and a Sasquatch likely stalking you from the bushes you are naturally inclined to rethink some life choices. Somehow you learn to stifle the temporary regret, along with the dull ache in your quads, as you tighten your pack and keep trekking. Right foot, left foot, breathe…that’s the key, and eventually the labyrinth of winding incline gives way to a breathtaking summit, a gentle breeze, and an overdue water break. An expected, yet serendipitous, occurrence usually takes place when you finally claw your way the summit of a mountain…you look up and see, not only a majestic showcase of God’s creative craftsmanship, but also the hard road from which you came and the coming road upon which you will tread.
In the wake of a successful 100 Days of support raising I’m on a summit, and, accordingly, I am inclined to take a look at what I have come through in addition to taking a look at what lies ahead.
Behind:
- God gifting me with an incredible team of ministry partners
- A plane ticket to NE Africa
- A joyful and adventurous summer with its fair share of difficulties and low points
- God glorifying his name among the nations!
To come:
- 6 intensive weeks of cross-cultural training in North Carolina
- Many hard farewells
- A November 29th departure date
- God glorifying his name among the nations!
I am incredibly thankful for the path behind as well as the one ahead, please remember me in your prayers as I begin to walk it one step at a time.
“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Philippians 3:16