Arriving at the Bennett Center, it was interesting to see everyone else arrive. Awkward, nervous, and shy, radiated from all. We were all total strangers. Slowly, names were exchanged, chatter arose, and all were asked the same question, “Hiking? Or canoeing?”
Boarding the van was an experience in itself. My initial introduction into the van was as followed: I was the last one to board the van. Looking at the fellow passengers, I smiled, went to hop in, and being a natural klutz, banged my head on the door frame. Hello everyone!
I was one of the few who was on the canoe patrol and I found it quite ironic that the friends I was currently attempting to make would not even be joining me on my particular adventure. However, there were two on the van who were going to canoe, who’d also be a part of my group, and who I now consider dear friends.
The van was loud. Then it was silent. And basically it repeated that cycle the whole way there. Loud being chatter, silent not necessarily being an awkward silence, but a silence brought on by people sleeping.
Roughly 7 hours and a ferry boat ride later, we arrived at the La Vida base camp. Cell phones were put away, it would be the last time we would have them till it came time to leave, and we took our last glance at the clock, for it would be our last time being aware of the time of day till it came time to leave. Automatically, we were meet by a lovely group of Sherpas (those who would be our leaders for the next 12 days). I recall seeing one guy run up to the group with a rather large plastic horse in hand and thinking, “He looks like he would make a fun Sherpa.” Whoda thunk he’d end up being one of my Sherpas! Once bags were unloaded and we all stood in a huddle, the games began. We were goblins attacking wizards and cows eating grass - I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Soon we were put into our groups. My group consisted of, including me, ten students, two Sherpas (Sarah and Steven), and Steven’s plastic horse (our “team mascot” named Blazon). After a name game and some time to get to know one another we were given our camping gear (a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sleeping bag liner, a bug net, a wet bag, a stuff sack, and a whistle - I also had to borrow a pair of hiking boots, wool pants, and a rain jacket). Soon, we were off to our “campsite” that was a mere walking distance to base camp. After we were settled in, a small devotion, worship, and a prayer later, it was time for bed. May I add here, the one thing I missed the most on this trip was a pillow.
Day 2 - Low ropes, a hike, and rock climbing, oh my!
I never really knew what time we were woken up each day - my guess would be around 7 in the morning - all I know is, now my body is adjusted to it and I can’t seem to sleep much past 7:30 since I’ve gotten back from La Vida.
The morning was wet. Rain had graced us with it’s presence, and it would do so throughout the 12 day trip. Asking what we would be doing for the day, I was told gently by Sarah that “we’ll get there.” This would become her key phrase for the entire trip. I finally caught on by day three that I wasn’t ever really going to know what the day would have in store for us.
We were led by our Sherpas into the woods to a spot that consisted of a wooden platform with a swinging rope vine a couple feet away. Our goal? Being a few feet out of arms length from the rope we had to grab it and each swing across - not touching the ground - to the platform where we all had to be on. Barely into day two and already our group had to begin to work as a team and learn to communicate and trust each other.
Next, we were brought to a low ropes course. Where we had to balance on a thin steel cord using only each other most of the time for support. Because of the weather, the rope was rather slippery. Tightly we clung to each other, so not to fall off, and quickly barriers were broken, and we, from then on, became a tight group. The day had just begun, it wasn’t even lunch time.
Later on the day, as the sun finally broke out, we hopped into a van, drove, and walked up a trail with a very nice incline - she says with much sarcasm . Twice I had to stop and use my inhaler. I then began to freak out, was this what it would be like the entire trip? Me being totally unfit and inadequate to do the physical challenges of La Vida?
At the top we were meet with a nice rock wall which we would all attempt to climb. Our group all took turns climbing, most were able to get to the top. Authentic, genuine encouragement was shared greatly. When it came for my turn to climb the rock wall, what an experience it was. I got halfway - half more than I ever expected myself to even climb - when I got stuck. And stuck I was. For the next who knows how long I would get a good grip, pull myself up, and slip. The cycle continued for a rather long time. My group encouraged and tried to give me advice. I hold it dear to my heart, but unfortunately, I still couldn’t get myself up the wall.
I could tell that time was running short and we would have to get going soon. Eventually I had to go back down. While my attempt to finish rock climbing to those around me had shown determination, persistence, and endurance, I had viewed my efforts, as well, a fail. This would be the beginning of my learning to define success as God sees it, not as the world sees it. I had to allow God’s grace to be sufficient for me, because I was having trouble having grace upon myself.
A lovely thing to keep in mind about having to go uphill is that in the end you get to go downhill. I slept good that night.
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