Random scenery shots

Here are some random scenery shots I took recently.  I thought they were worth posting to the blog.

Reflections on El Altar

Danilo up on the El Altar playing in the snow.

 

 

The trip to El Altar with the church youth was already almost 3 weeks ago, but I thought it would be good to write a little more about some of the outcomes from the trip.  Much planning and especially prayer went into the trip and it's been encouraging to see some of the outcomes.  Eternity will only show all the ways the Lord was working, but I just want to share a few we've seen already.

 

On the last day right before beginning the trek home, I was responsible for the devotional.  I'd been planning and preparing to share on yielding rights, anger, etc. but during my personal devotions early that morning things changed.  As I stood reading my Bible in the cold and fog surrounded by the mountain peaks, I felt a strong direction from the Lord to change the theme of my devotional for that morning.  I didn't have much time to prepare, but felt I really should share on being set apart and sanctification.  Our theme book for the whole retreat was Acts, so I based my devotional on Acts 13:2.  As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."  I shared with the kids that just as we had physically been away from civilization during the retreat that they needed to now in returning home continue to be spiritually separate from the world.  (2Tim 2:21)  I challenged them to be holy before the Lord, prepared for every good work. 

 

Last Saturday we got together with the youth to look at pictures from the retreat and share together about the time.  As the kids shared, I was surprised at how many mentioned and talked about the impact of the last devotional.  That study's impact certainly wasn't because of long preparations, or a dynamic presentation.  It was a result of the Spirit's working in the hearts of each of us up there on the mountain.  It's humbling for me to see how the Lord used that study.  I can only praise Him.

 

For the first part of the return trip from El Altar, I sat next to Danilo in the bus.  He's been very faithful in attending church and the youth activities, but doesn't come from a strong Christian family.  As we watched the gorgeous scenery go by, we talked about many things and during part of the conversation, I asked him if he had an assurance of salvation.  He said he wants to follow the Lord, but had never known how to ask Him into his heart.  At that point, I had the wonderful opportunity to share the way of salvation with Danilo.  The atmosphere in the bus wasn't very conducive to praying, but a couple days later Danilo did pray to accept the Lord.  What joy it brings to my heart, not to mention the rejoicing in heaven.  You can be praying that Danilo would continue to grow in his new relationship with the Lord.

 

Thank you to each of you who are praying for my ministry down here.  The Lord is touching hearts.

More Jungle Pictures

Here are some more pictures from the jungle and a couple of recording audio clips for the videos we're working on as well.

In the Jungle

Last week I had the really neat opportunity to visit Rick and Sharon LaBouef.  I did a lot of work on creating a video in the Shuar and Quichua languages.  We also got to fly into the jungle.  We flew in Wed. evening, showed a movie, spent the night in the jungle and few back to Shell on Thur.  Here are some pictures from the time in the jungle.

My trip to Shell

Instead of heading home after the hike to "El Altar", I got on a bus and went to Shell on the edge of the jungle.  It was quite a pleasant change to come down from the rain and the cold to the rain and the warm.  I'm sitting on the porch right now watching planes take off, seeing an orange tree and watching exotic butterflies flutter by.

 

On my way to Shell, I got some great shots of some neat Andean peaks.  Here are a few shots of El Altar, Chimborazo, and Tungurahua.  Tungurahua is an active volcano.  Note the smoke coming out of the top.

El Altar

How much can a person write about a 3 day hike up a mountain?  There's so much I could share, but I'm not feeling very wordy right no, so I'm afraid this won't be very long.

 

We left last Thur. morning at 4:00am for the mountain in a chartered bus.  There were a total of about 25 high school youth along and about 5 adults.  We rode in the bus until about 12:30pm and then began hiking.  After almost 5 hours of hiking up hill we arrived at our camp site.  After pitching tents and having supper, we settled down to sleep.  It was rained most the night and many got cold and wet in the tents.

 

Friday morning after breakfast we left to continue hiking further up the mountain.  We began the trek in good weather, but soon it began to rain and fog began to roll in.  After a good 2 hours of hiking up a very steep trail, the path began to diminish, and the fog began to thicken.  There was no way to continue on.  We called all the kids together and had a time of prayer, praise and Gerardo gave a devotional.  Right at this point, the fog began to lift and an amazing view unfolded before our eyes.  There below us was the dazzling blue-green lake in the center of the crater, and surrounding the lake were the rugged, snow capped mountain peeks.  It was breathtaking, and that much more than just he altitude.  It was so exciting to see the Lord so directly answer our prayers and roll the fog away.

 

From that point we were able to continue climbing up to the snowline.  After hiking up some very steep, rugged rocks we made it to the snow.  The altitude was about 14,500 feet at this point.  What fun to see the kids play in the snow.  For most of the people on the hike, it was the first time for them to touch snow. 

 

After being in the snow, we hiked back down to camp.  There we dried sleeping bags over the fire and ate supper.  That night, it did not rain as much and everyone seemed to sleep better.  The following morning we ate granola and began the hike back.  Due to all the rain, the trail had drastically deteriorated.  We walked in mud up to at least our ankles all the way back.

 

Part way back down the mountain, we learned that our bus that was supposed to pick us up had been in an accident.  That complicated matters.  We had no option but to return in a public bus.  Thankfully, the Lord worked out those details as well.

 

Thanks to each for your prayers.  We had some excellent devotionals with the youth, and no major injuries.  God is good!

Hike home

While we were up on the mountain, it rained.  The trail home was a mess.  Here are some pictures.  It was a good three hour hike through the mud.

Up to the snow line

After hiking the first day, we spent the night in tents.  The following morning we continued hiking up to the snowline.  At around 14,500 feet we made it to the snow line.  What fun to watch the kids play in the snow.  Most had never seen snow before.