Today we climb a mountain. The idea was to reach the top, but after a late night last night, and with a very late start to the day, our chances were diminishing rapidly. Add to this a very large group of people, and you start moving quite slowly, according to the abilities of the weaker members. This is not a problem, it is just that with the time we had available to us, getting to the top was now looking very unlikely.
Our outreach team (LtoR: Tabita, Guillermina, Gabriela, Karley, Leonor, Miguel, me)
Our purpose in climbing the mountain was actually to find a location where we could see the entire city. From this point we planned to pray over the city of Bariloche, and over the suburb that lay at the foot of the mountain too. This suburb has been closed to the gospel for many years, due to the efforts of witches and other workers of black magic.
Once we reached a point with the view we were looking for, we all joined in prayer for the city of Bariloche and for the suburb below us. During our time of prayer, we sensed a change over the place and believe that this will be visible in the new year.
After the prayer, we then continued upward, looking for an easier way back down the mountain. The way we had come was directly upward, and it was too difficult for some of our team. So we continued upward, finding a valley below us that would make life much easier to get down. We reached this valley by following the ridge.
On the way to the valley there were lots of rocks lining the edge of the ridge. Boys being boys, we all climbed up and over them, and did many crazy and fun things. It was invigorating to be up on a mountain once again. How I love mountains.
Once everybody was back down in the valley, we took water from the freshwater stream and followed the easy trail back down to the base of the mountain. Looking back, we had not climbed even a third of the height, but we did have a lot of fun, and were able to pray for the city. Every one of us also had returned toasted by the sun's rays.
It was a good day, but the sun, wind, and effort deserved an early night. After hanging around at the church and chatting with the pastor for a while, we all headed back home for an early night's rest. This was our first night that we returned to our homes before midnight.
I love this shot.
Karley being Karley.
Heading straight up the mountain.
Karley felt a little ill, so I helped her a little up the hill.
The group that climbed the mountain.
Heading up the mountain through zigzags helps a lot.
Standning at our prayer point on the mountain.
Everybody praying over Bariloche City.
Declaring God's word over the city.
The strong wind made this a little harder than expected.
On top of the highest rock I could find.
Drinking from the stream.
Heading back down the mountain.
The trail back down.
Cerro Ventana... we made it to the top of the first mound.