They all started out boldly, leaving their American comforts and conveniences. They traveled thousands of miles to the Third World, where they were confronted with poverty on a level few had ever seen. Then they got on a smaller airplane and flew over the largest rainforest in Central America to the Rio coco. Here, the standard of living took a nosedive. Latrines, well water, and showers from a bucket were the new standard of living. From there, they took a fast boat six hours downriver to a place where man’s footprints were almost invisible. They encountered villages without any conveniences. Cool drinks were rare, electricity was virtually non-existent, latrines were “raw”, and baths took place in a river the color of cafe con leche (coffee with milk).

Along the way, something was happening to our brave band of adventurers. They began to realize what items in life were important, and which were not. They lived in true community, learning to go beyond toleration of each other to genuine care and love. Their gaze turned from inward and self, to others around in need. With comforts gone, they realized a greater need for the presence and power of god in their lives. And He began to show up in surprising ways. Behaviors rooted in self, unforgiveness, past hurts, and family histories surfaced at random intervals. As their studies on discipleship began to take hold, victories began emerging, as truth and divine power were brought to bear. Growth and maturity became evident, as the days and weeks went on.

Finally, there was another flight and a long bus ride to the highest point of elevation in the region. There, surrounded by luscious coffee plants, a truly mountain-top encounter with God occurred. Understanding was given, knowledge was revealed in a supernatural manner. Spiritual baggage was discarded, hurts were healed, persons were made whole and all were empowered by the Holy Spirit for the season ahead. Listen to what some of these wrote:

Sam:
When I was invited to go on this trip I was told it was a moving experience and it changes lives. I was excited and thrilled. I needed to find a motive for life. I lived a life not caring about anything, buy myself. From our first meeting I had felt the Holy Spirit working in me and in the group. Every teacher that taught had something new and it really targeted me and equipped me for when I go home. Being around Godly people who made mistakes in their lives and seeing how far they have come really showed how much God loved you. Being with other Christians enabled me to be free. That was something I learned while I was here. I learned how to be free. It doesn’t matter what people think of you because you area a Christian, but you just do it all for God.

Bobby:
Before I came on this trip, I wasn’t really sure why I was coming. But I felt something telling me to go. I was a Christian just not a very spiritually active one...So I found myself not going to church a little more than usual. There was a lot of turmoil in our family at the same time. I guess I found myself mad at God for making my family angry and arguing all the time. I think maybe my anger caused me to start to doubt if there was a god.... When we arrived in Waspam, it was a very big culture shock for me to see how these people lived compared to all the accommodations I have back home. I never really considered quitting and getting on the plane and going back home because I really wanted to stick it out. The one verse that really motivated me and is my favorite verse is from Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

I found myself relying and praying to this God that a month or two earlier I was beginning to doubt the existence of. My prayers of safety and comfort in Him were being answer and it was clearly visible.

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