[continued from 1.2] So we made it past the first hurdle. Then we hiked on to our destination point. We were all relieved that we were done for the day. To pack light, we weren’t using any tents. We were just camping under tarps. Camp was set up and then dinner was prepped. We all ate at a pretty sweet view point watching the sun go down. Everything was perfect.

Then we got back to camp. The sun went down and the mosquitoes came out. And these weren’t normal skeeters, you could saddle these bad boys. So quickly, everyone got ready for bed, put on bug nets and then got in the sleeping bags. We were safe or so we thought.

I soon learned that mosquito nets only work if they’re a few inches in front of your face. When you lay down, the net lays next to your face and they bite you through it. We also learned that the sound of them swarming around your ears can keep you up all night. To make matters worse, it was a hot night. So we had either two options. Roast in your sleeping bag and get bit lets or venture out of the bag and get bit more. We all opted for a combination of the two. It was a sleepless night.

In the morning, I realized that I had been feasted up and one of my eyes was about swollen shut. Another boy had (and he counted) over 200 bites from his wrists down on both hands. So needless to say, once the sun came up we were packed and running down the trail. And yes, I mean literally running down the trail trying to shake off mosquitoes… [to be continued]

[continued from 1.1] We arrived late in the evening. The first night was total cake… we slept in a cabin. The rest wouldn’t be so nice. That night the guides issued gear (40lb. packs per person) and confiscated all watches and cell phones. It was going to be all down hill from there. We went to bed early and woke up early (I’m assuming due to my lack of watch) the next day.

There was some early groaning from the group as we begun our ascent. They weren’t used to carrying packs this heavy and really weren’t used to hiking at all. The first day was a pretty gnarly hike. Five miles in with 3,000 feet elevation gain isn’t a cake walk. Each student was assigned 2 water bottles to last them for the first day and a half. There was no source of water for the first part of the ridge. They were told to take small sips of water as we made our way up the trail. We hiked on and the day grew hotter. It peaked at 105 F with no breeze.

As we stopped for lunch the guides did a water level check on everyone. To our dismay, most of the students were about out of water. The sips had turned into gulps. The two guides and I prayed as we set forward, assuming one of us would have to go and retrieve water from further down the trail (about 3 miles beyond our first day’s destination point).

Continuing up towards the ridge, the pace began to slow. They weren’t used to this much physical activity, especially not thirsty and in the heat. Then we entered the forest of desperation. It was a mosquito breeding ground. We had already eaten lunch, but evidently the mosquitoes had not. Thus began the feast. The only plus to the bugs were that our pace quickened. We knew once we made it out the other end, there would be relief. Huffing and puffing along they made their way through. We took our last water break (and downed the rest of our supplies) then pushed on.

Soon the sight of the top of the ridge was in view. It pushed us forward. Then we experienced one of the most wonderful sights known to man. At the top there was a snowfield. Evidently there was enough shade to keep it from melting this late into the year. Everyone dropped their packs and rolled in the snow. We literally were laughing and rolling in the snow. God had provided.

We dug down deep to find the cleaner snow to fill our water bottles. In our packs we had some Gatoraide powder, with that we made slushies. There was a quick turn around in morale from despair to relief. They relished the moment, but it was only short lived… [to be continued]

As most trips involving middle school students, it’s like pulling teeth to confirm the are going. A day before we left, I had 2 students flake out. 2 hours before the trip, I had another one bite the dust. To run the trip our minimum is 5 and the max is 10. We ended up with the solid minimum. But I fully believe that God had His hand in the dynamics of the group. It would have been so different if the others had come. Needless to say, God’s way is always best. So the group as it stands: 1 boy from single parent home, 1 private school girl, 1 Russian, 1 sheltered homeschooler, and 1 boy with lesbian mommies. Quite the eclectic group. So it begins a trip that will span 6 days, cover 15 miles of hiking, 7 miles of river, and 3 billion mosquitoes…[to be continued]

During my time in the backcountry, I had some solo time to pray, reflect and write in my journal. One of these times, I really felt the Lord leaning in on me and here is what came out of that time.

I’ve been living in fear for far too long. I try to play it safe, so I get things perfect. But for some reason, only mediocrity comes from doing this. What is it I fear? Failure mostly. I feel the eyes of the world watching me just waiting to see me fall. So in turn, I let fear get the best of me. It paralyzes me; keeps me complacent. Then I am reminded of Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do no be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Like Joshua, I’ve got a lot on my shoulders. But also like Joshua, I am not alone.

I’ll be gone this week till Saturday night - so if you comment and I don’t comment back, I’m not ignoring you - I’m just not here!

I’ll be backpacking over Nason Ridge in the Cascade Mountains with 6 middle school kids. It should be an amazing time!

I’ll have stories and pics when I get back.

Keep us in your prayers!