"Justin vs. the Volcano"

      "Pacaya" is one of the world's largest currently active volcanoes.  Nestled in the high altitude mountain ranges of San Vincente Guatemala, "Pacaya" dominates the landscape and demands the attention and respect of not only it's annual visitors, but of the combined country as a whole.  This savagely majestic giant doubles as a platform for an awe inspiring adventure for those daring to come close, and a ticking time bomb that promises to go off again and again without warning casting high intensity havoc and destruction across Guatemala in it's near entirety.                                      

 

    .  Shortly before my arrival to Guatemala City "Pacaya" erupted fiercely spreading lava, smoke, and volcanic ash reaching far away from it's lofty home. Here you see the rooftop of "Hogar de La Roca" and the clean up effort to remove the volcanic ash which completely covered us and the entire city. Our ministry is over sixty miles away from volcano "Pacaya" yet we were still affected severely by its eruption.  There were of course deaths and injuries reported by those who were unfortunate enough to be near the volcano during the event.

 

      I visited the volcano alone.  Just getting to the hike site was an adventure in itself involving three buses and hitch-hiking through the first part of the mountain where there are still roads.

Normally I would be TERRIFIED to be in the back of a Guatemalan police truck, but this group was very friendly and a big help in getting me on my way up the mountain.

Before entering the trail leading in I had to check in at the office.  There I was informed that no one was permitted to enter the volcano alone and that I was obligated to hire a guide.  I did not want a guide at all.  I cherish my personal time, sometimes a little bit too much.  The last thing I wanted in that moment was to pay a stranger to walk with me for the next 4 hours or so, forced to make small talk in my broken Spanish all the way up the mountain unable to set my own pace or course.  I actually considered not going inside at all and one of the guides noticed and called me aside.  He told me to tell the lady at the desk I had agreed to the guide and then go ahead in alone.  It was dishonest and in no way proper missionary conduct, yet that is exactly what I did.

It takes about ninety minutes at a steady pace and steep incline through different  forests and gardens to reach the point where the base of the volcano itself is in view.  Being without a guide I was left with split decisions to make as the trails split off into different directions.  I found out later that I chose to travel on paths that had been closed for years.  As the fluorescent green vegetation that contrasted so smartly and sharply with the grey terrain began to dwindle down to twigs, I knew I was closing in on "Pacaya" herself.

Welcome to a weird and wonderful world......volcano country.

  

     Hauntingly serene and deliciously desolate, a scorched earth circus of twisted rocks and rolling hills continue on and on before me...an endless landscape.  I was struck right away by the absolute absence of life in the land of "Pacaya" as well as an encapsulating silence broken only with each step I took as burnt earth broke beneath me.  Before long a steady breeze established itself and made a rippling sound against my wind breaker, coupling with my crunching steps I now had my volcano searching soundtrack, and the only sounds my ears would hear for the next four hours.

Coming up to the volcano base using obscure trails brought me in at strange place. The  entire scene was so completely covered with clouds, fog, steam, and smoke that I had no idea where the volcano actually was.  There were multiple mountains surrounding me and for all I knew any one of them could have been the volcano.

.   

Without knowing where I was going I travelled through the clouds around the entire base of the volcano to the back side which is an extremely dangerous and forbidden area.  I continued exploring and enjoyed the afternoon as time quickly sped by at an almost alarmingly fast pace.

 

     Then came cause for real alarm.  Throughout the day I had become extremely obsessed with the idea of seeing  some actual flowing lava before I had left.  This obsession brought me to the backside of of the volcano and  half way up towards it's peak at least twice.  I found myself scaling a nearly 90 degree angle  volcano, all alone, with no equipment, and completely surrounded by dense fog.  As I got closer and closer to the top the wind grew colder and the sharp jagged rocks grew hotter.  What came next was was total darkness and a heavy rain storm which led me to slip down with a landslide of rocks and sand into a complete abyss of fog, rain, and shadows.  I literally could not see three feet in front of me and I had no idea where I was. What was worse than all that was the fact that it was almost five o'clock. The sun which was already completely hidden by clouds would be going down permanently soon, and I was lost and alone on top of an active volcano with night quickly approaching.

I have to admit that I panicked.  Fear gripped me and I even started running in different directions to try to find the way I had come in.. This was a bad idea because I only got further off course and I slipped and fell.  A broken ankle was the absolute last thing I needed.  So in this moment I prayed.  Nothing eloquent, just "God please help!"

     It was as if I was in a movie because a few desperate minutes after my prayer a strong wind came and blew the clouds and rain away.  I was left in a peaceful awe with my first clear view of where I had been for the last few hours, now under a bright warm setting sun.

 

     As i now walked confidently back to the trails I made out a tiny group of people that were probably a couple miles away.  They were on the tourist trail and were getting ready to leave.  All of the sudden some human company sounded like a terrific idea and i hastened to catch up with them.  There a guide told me that I had come from a forbidden part of the volcano where most deaths and injuries occur.  He also said that since the last eruption most of the volcano had eroded and was now impossible to scale without serious climbing gear, and that too was forbidden. So basically, i had almost died trying to accomplish a humanly impossible task.  After talking and taking this photo I scaled down the mountain in the company of my new friends defeated by "Pacaya" in that I never saw her summit or lava, however alive to fight another day and with a new appreciation and perspective from my experience.

 

     I Learned a lot from my experience at Pacaya.  There is a reason that God demands obedience from His children and it is always for the good of His children.  The Bible says that "The steps of the righteous are ordered."  I had stepped out of bounds when I misled the woman at the volcano office and with a real life metaphor of a storm in solitude, God swiftly reminded me what life is like for me apart form His perfect will.  Though it was only for mere moments, I felt a terror and helplessness on that volcano that I haven't experienced in over a year and a half.  
     I left for the volcano wanting things my way.  I wanted to be alone, yet maybe God had a plan for me to share His grace and love with the guide who was supposed to accompany me.  I wanted too see lava so bad that it drove me to near madness and almost to the point of no return.  The bottom line is that when things become just about what I want, it is hard for God to use me or direct my steps.  Sometimes, the things we want most for ourselves are the very things that will kill us in our pursuit or attainment of such things.  Wanting to see lava is in no way a "sin," yet my need to fulfill that desire almost killed me.  Often times, we think that because we want something so bad that we are meant to have it.  And if we only work hard enough, and sacrifice, and strive towards that goal we will eventually achieve the goal and happiness itself.  I encourage you today to take caution in what you are pursuing.  It may in itself not be a bad thing ,yet breaking down a door that God has intentionally closed to protect us is a most perilous task and wrought with severe consequences.  I implore you to take a moment and contemplate the goals you are pursuing.  Do you know if God has called you to this task?  If so He will bless your endeavors and although there may be struggles, when you run out of strength the wind will be on your back.  If not, you may find yourself on the back-side of a volcano all alone in a dark storm with absolutely no one to call on for help. 
       

"Running with the Horses"

"If you have raced  with mere men on foot and they have worn you out, how then can you race against horses?  If you stumble in safe country how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"  Jeremiah 12: 5

     My first road race ever happened at the age of thirty and it also happened to be an international one.  I was blessed to spend my final hours of 2010, (a year i was more than eager to see pass), running 10 kilometers or 6.33 miles with over 7000 people in in the traditional Guatemala "San Sylvestre" road race.

The entire house along with friends of  "Hogar de la Roca" came to cheer me on.  I decided to run in an Hogar de la Roca  T shirt which I know all the guys appreciated. In the time we had to wait for the starting whistle I was able to share with the guys in our ministry the contrast between the person they see in me today, and the person who started the same program as them in Connecticut about 18 months ago.

I explained, often times with Chris helping me interpret, that i had no  expectations of "winning" the race because in fact in my heart, I had won already.  I shared with them that when i began the same journey they are now on, I was completely sick from drugs, a terrified skeleton who couldn't do 5 push ups, and shell of a man who was running from himself and the police.  And on that day, I was running in an international road race to glorify, thank, and honor God, as well encourage anyone who may be watching and wondering if there is truly hope for people who may have allowed themselves in the past to sink so low.

Please note this photo as it is mentioned in the conclusion.

In reality, the "San Sylvestre" is more of a celebration than a serious road race only for serious runners.  It is a way for 7000 Guatemalans (some in costumes) with many more spectators than that, to go into the new year doing something healthy, positive, and fun.  Often, the pace we set for ourselves in any endeavor early on is the pace we keep. So its always important to tackle any difficult undertaking with a strong and optimistic start.  That being said, in the end, the only thing that people remember and what  truly defines you as an individual is how strong you finish.  I am well aware of this fact so I weigh my own words very carefully when I try to encourage others with my own experiences. I realize, sometimes even with a touch of healthy fear, how long the race may still yet be marked out ahead of me and that I may really only be heading out of the starting gate myself.

     At the risk of sounding cliche`, one reason I really enjoy running is because it is one of the greatest metaphors for life that we have.  This particular race happened on an unusually hot day, there were a couple killer hills, and by my pedometer the race actually clocked out at about 7.3 miles instead of the advertised 6.3.  You can prepare as much as possible, but when things like heat and cramps start attacking your body after what you think is your "final mile sprint" and yet you realize you are still no where near the finish line, your mind starts talking to you about giving up and walking for a while.  But I had told myself and the guys at the beginning that no matter what i would be running the whole time.  I was able to encourage myself and understood that while my body may hurt now it is only for a moment.  I knew that if I just finished the race strong I would feel better in every other moment outside of that temporary one where I really wanted to just give up, even if just for a moment.  Running truly is a great metaphor for life!

In the end, I was able to finish this particular race strong. While there were some athletes who clocked in almost 15 amazing minutes before me, I came in with the first group of runners out of the 7000 and finished the seven or so miles in about 45 minutes.  I had passed the guys from Hogar de la Roca on the way into the Colosseum and they cheered me on.  I then was able to lay down in a little bit of shade and stretch and thank God for all he has done for me in my life, as well as ask him to please keep me " ...running with purpose with every step...disciplining my body like an athlete, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   1Corinthians 9: 26- 27.

           I think the biggest reason that running so readily associates with life is because simply put, they are both difficult to do well and consistently all the way through till the end.  Yet, that is the life and race that each one of us are called too.  In the book of Jeremiah you hear him crying out to God over the very significant problems and surroundings that eventually drove him past the brinks of depression to cursing the day he was ever born, and this is towards the beginning of his book!  The story of the life of Jeremiah is far to epic to address in any detail on this forum, but let us suffice to say he had valid reasons to be upset with life. Is this true about you?  Are your daily tasks and surroundings slowly starting to overtake you?  Is there a "new year resolution" you have made which is already fading into more of a memory than a resolute promise you committed yourself too?  Is there a project in your house that needs completing or a talent or art you have been neglecting?  Does the reminder of those things bring an uncomfortable feeling of failure or anxiety every time they cross your mind?  Well, we may have legitimate causes and lay legitimate blame upon reasons for not completing what we know we should do, but that does not get them done.  Only doing them does.  God's answer to the legitimate grievances of Jeremiah is the same He gives to ours.
     "If you have raced  with mere men on foot and they have worn you out, how then can you race against horses?  If you stumble in safe country how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"  Jeremiah 12: 5   
     God's response to Jeremiah's call for relief here is basically, "If you think this is bad, how are you going to cope when it gets really tough?"  God's answer to prayer is not always nice or easy to handle.  Anyone who has experienced war, bereavement, or a serious illness can attest to this.  So if ordinary life is overwhelming us how will we cope when we are called to do the extraordinary things we were each created to do?
     Much of it is an adjustment of our perspective.  For instance, the man pictured above racing in his wheelchair has the same condition as the many others who are confined to life in a chair yet chose not to race.  Both are wholly justified in grieving their situation and to not even subject themselves to attending a race where they will be constantly reminded of their condition.  Yet, it is the one whose perspective leads him to the realization that he is indeed race worthy, puts on a fun costume, and hits the road with all he has, he is beginning to compete not just with mere men, but to run with the horses.  Both men have the exact same condition, yet one's perspective leads to the inspiration of many.
     Also, we have to realize that it is not always about us.  Someone is always looking at us to see if we will succeed or fail in even our smallest task.  Whether we are in the role of parents, children, siblings, friends, and in really any  position we may find ourselves, we hold a constant opportunity to lead by example.  It is up to us to break through the mold of being run down by a mundane halfhearted race.  Be one instead that breaks away and runs with the horses with only an occasional and brief backwards glance and an extended hand as an invitation to all watching who may wish to enter the real race with you.

May we all one day say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  And now the prize awaits me..."  2 Timothy 4: 7

 

Happy Holidays from Hogar de la Roca!

Presents under the tree bring is a great place to begin as they always bring a warm blessing to any Christmas celebration.

The gifts you see are all for the men and families here at the ministry.  The guys have been doing such a great job here and yet, most of them were to spend Christmas without their families, wives, or children.  God put it on my heart to try and raise money to buy presents for the children who are without thier fathers this year.  The readers of the "Guatemala: Revelation and Response" blog generously gave enough to buy toys for the kids and the men themselves!  Thank you!

Edgar´s two children Danny and Alexis recieved Batman sneakers that light up when you walk on them!  They were clearly more than thrilled to receive these gifts from their father.

In addition to the gifts we were able to open up our ministry to the willing families and have a dinner celebration on Christmas day.  The festivities included a complete meal, a spiritual word about Christmas from Chris, a rather extravagant firework display also from Chris, and original songs performed by myself, Danny Chapeton, and even the men themselves joined us in performing a song for those in attendance. 

Because God is in the business of restoring families, Youth Challenge and Hogar de la Roca are in the business of restoring families.  Most men come here with a high level of guilt and low expectations regarding thier involvemnt with their families future. Yet I see God move amongst us on a daily basis as he first changes the men who come in from the street, and then changes the hearts of thier families as they see an undeniable change take place in the person they love so much.

One of our proud fathers Ronnie was overjoyed to be reunited with his wife and children this Christmas right here at Hogar de la Roca!

  

 

     Has Christmas begun to lose some of  its magic for you?  Often times the way we experience the holidays is shaped and shifted by associations we connect from our hoiday seasons prior.  Then if someone or something goes missing, or some expectaion you may have had wasn´t met,  there often lingers a small void containing only a touch of sadness within itself.  This void can be acutely noticed or hardly at all, yet it holds the potential to cling as a permanent fixture for your holidays for the rest of your life if permitted. 

     Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?  As an adult this is a question we prabably don`t often ask ourselves anymore.  Yet it is a relevant question if what we are seeking can`t be found wrapped in paper under a tree.  

      It is my hope that everyone reading this blog passed through the Holiday season in true peace, joy, and love. Please don`t merely skip over those three words.  Think about each one, what it means to you, and if you hold it now, or if its a gift your still wating to unwrap.

     One of the most exciting aspects of Christmas for me is the celebration of the wonder of God coming to live with us on earth. What if Shakespeare decided he wanted to have a conversation with Hamlet?  How could he?  I mean, after all Shakspeare created Hamlet.  But what if Shakespeare was to write himself into his story?  The interactions between himself and his creation is now seemingly limitless.  That is C.S. Lewis´ picture of the incarnation.  Christmas is a celebration of when God wrote himself into our creation story, to walk with us and teach us about true peace, joy, and above all love.  It is beautiful to think that the creator of everything we see loves us so much that he would humble himself to inhabit a human body which was subject to every pain, cold, and sickness, only to walk with us for a while, show us where we were getting important things such as faith and love all mixed up,  and to even wash our feet. 

     If there is a gift your still hoping to unwrap, it is because God came to live with us that your gift is already prepared for you.  Whether it is peace, joy or love, you need only to ask your father in heaven, walk with Him as he walked with us, and believe.

Mathew 7:7  "Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." 

     

Third World Children in Need of Christmas. part 3. Christmas Feast! (end of series)

     Psalm 41: 1-3 "Oh, the joys to those who are kind to the poor.  The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.  The Lord protects them and keeps them alive.  He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.  The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. 

Welcome to the feast!!!

Preparation: 



20 lbs. of steak,  25 lbs. of rice, bags of cucumbers, lettuce, coffee,
sugar, cups, plates, napkins, plastic-ware, and seasonings, all
sponsored by "Guatemala: Revelation & Response"!



Here you see more than enough food to feed 125 people!  This feast was sponsored solely by you through your direct support to the "Guatemala: Revelation & Response" blog.  Through your efforts in partnership with the important ministry of "Libre Infancia", (which has been our spotlight for this three part series), we were able to deliver this wonderful feast to appreciative people who shouldn't have to go completely hungry this holiday season.



Together.....WE WILL!  Volunteers from "Hogar de la Roca" and "Libre Infancia" prepare to return into the dumpster community for a time of feasting, fellowship, and celebration.



     These visits are a regular  part of the "Libre Infancia ministry".  Every Thursday volunteers go into the dump community and bring coffee, sometimes some bread to eat, and always the "Bread of Life."  There are 5 "host homes" where families openly welcome pastor Otto and his ministry bringing constant encouragement and companionship at least once a week to a desperate community who just need to be reminded that neither God, nor God's willing people have forgotten them.

I was able to visit and spend some time at each of the host homes where a designated person from "Libre Infancia" would lead everyone in attendance in songs, testimony, and deliver a word of encouragement from the bible.  Each house was completely filled up with families of all kinds who were grateful for their weekly visit.

What was different about this visit however, was the menu.  Normally, "Libre Infancia" is only budgeted to bring coffee and maybe some bread.  This week however with the combined efforts of both of our ministries we brought and prepared enough steak, rice, salad, and coffee to feed everyone interested in sharing in our Christmas Feast!  It was a blessed experience to visit each house and see how just a little bit of effort combined with a little bit of money can transform a generally dangerous and depressed environment into a festive Christmas celebration.

     The dump truly is a dangerous environment, only it's hard to tell when Pastor Otto is present amongst his people.  Had I gone by myself, even with the dinner I was able to raise funds for, my very life would have been at risk, as well as the possibility of even complete rejection.  Pastor Otto however has a gift for diffusing violence and malice with his mere presence.  It took time and diligence in the face of some dangerous situations he himself was found in, yet Pastor Otto has won the trust and love of the residents living and working in the dumpster communities of zone 3.  

Let's Eat!

After the three experiences I've recently shared with you regarding the people in zone 3 i can now recall a wonderful change that took place within myself.  At first, i was just overwhelmed with the need that these people have, and that need dominated my focus.  However, after spending some real time with them i started forming a few simple friendships...especially with some of the children who started to recognize and remember me.

It was in those precious moments that the dump, dirt, and poverty just seemed to melt away.  What was left were a wonderful people of survival refined by the fire of their circumstances and standing in glorious victory and joy against all the odds and adversity submerging them.  My position slowly changed from empathy to admiration for a beautiful and determined people from whom we can all learn so much. 

 Why does God put so much emphasis on the way we treat the poor and needy?  I think one reason is because the way we treat the poor reflects our true character.  We know we can expect nothing in return.  Luke 14: 12-14 "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet....instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.  Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."

     We all have so many excuses that are all too common for not reaching out to the needy.  Excuses like, They don't deserve help, they got themselves into poverty, let them get themselves out, God's call to help only applies to priests, missionaries, or "super-spiritual" people, Any money i give will be wasted, and my little bit won't make a difference. Yet so far this holiday season, with just a handful of givers, and a handful of missionaries, together we have seen mountains move.  Rest well this holiday season knowing you sowed into the life of some Guatemalan families who appreciate even our smallest efforts ever so much.



Third World Children in Need of Christmas. Part 2.

Welcome to the "Libre Infancia" Christmas Celebration for Children!!!!

     At the close of our last post we were boarding a bus in the dumpster community of Zone 3 in Guatemala City.  The bus, full of children and their families were temporarily leaving their poor and oppressive environment in the anticipation of  the grand Christmas celebration awaiting them!




Over 200 children w/family in attendance!!!!

      Thanks to Pastor Otto Alvarez, his faithful volunteers, and their big hearts for God's little ones, the celebration was indeed a complete success and blessing to everyone involved.  This event is held annually at "Templo de Gloria" church which is the church the guys and I attend every week.  The Church and ministry of "Libre Infancia" are closely connected and both led by my current pastor, Pastor Otto.



Chris helping me negotiate and choose toys
for 100 girls and boys!




This year, Pastor Otto was a bit short on funds, which is all to common in ministry work.  He had been praying for the funds to buy 100 more toys so he could invite 100 more children to the Christmas Celebration.  Meanwhile, not knowing this, I had been raising funds to buy presents for the children of the men in my ministry who were unable to do so themselves.  God provided in excess for the children of the men. So I still had money left-over that people had sent me with the intention of buying gifts for Guatemalan children in need.  Not knowing Pastor Otto's situation I approached Him after Church one Sunday and asked if their was anyway I could help his awesome ministry.  He joyously invited me to bring 100 toys to the celebration and said he would extend his invitation to 100 more children.  God is good!



100 toys sponsored by "Guatemala: Revelation & Response",  readers
and supporters!


The readers and supporters of this blog really came through where it counts.  All the toys you see were sponsored by the "Guatemala: Revelation & Response" blog.  Because of the generosity of a few amazing individuals and one church,  100 more children were able to join in the Christmas celebration!!!











Bombillita the clown had more than 200 children captivated for over 45 minutes!
Let me tell you, that is no easy task while hundreds of presents sit in
plain sight on stage.



Straight from the bus to the fun-house!  Upon arriving at the celebration the children were split into small groups of 10 or so and assigned a group leader. The men of our ministry as well as myself were all put in charge of some very excited children. 



I was proud of the men from our ministry "Hogar de la Roca" for their great work and willing hearts to help make this Christmas celebration special for all the children who came.  God is taking them to new places already.



Yours truly, Pastor Otto, and Santa Claus himself in the greatest position of the event....giving.



     It was a full afternoon of clowns, games, candy, hugs, songs, balloons, and gifts.  You know your getting old when you find yourself on the same side of the gift line helping Santa Claus himself.  That being said, what an amazing  privilege and honor it was to stand their and help hand out possibly the only gifts these children will receive all year.  The entire day was truly overwhelming and holds memories i will carry with me always.  Enjoy these pictures!

These boys were wild....



...and as fate would have it they were also the recipients of the coolest toys i brought.  The
swords were used for their intended design which is of course chasing away girls.



Merry Christmas!

    

     Matthew 18: 1-6  "About this time the disciples came to Jesus and asked "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"  Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said "I tell you the truth...anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."  And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf also welcomes me."

     This is one truth I trust we can all agree on.  I have readers and followers of this blog who come from all different social and spiritual backgrounds.  I maintain a deep respect for the beliefs you each hold, and i appreciate your respect of mine. 

     This Holiday season we really came together and made better the lives of some beautiful children who need our help more than i could ever convey with photographs or written words on a computer screen.  Whether you financially contributed specifically  for children or to help meet my daily needs here, you yourself welcomed these children as lovingly as Jesus did.  I am merely here as a conduit of God's grace.  Without you,  I would actually be more of a burden here than a help.  This goes for anyone reading, praying, or sending me encouraging comments as well.  I couldn't be here without you, and these children wouldn't be blessed without all of us working as a team for this common goal..  "To help the hurting."

     There are still opportunities to help for the holidays and throughout the year, as there will always be a need with any humanitarian cause.  For instance,  our next post will involve a trip back to the dumpster community, yet this time we hope to feed over 100 starving people a warm Christmas feast!  May God bless you all through the duration of what's already been a very merry Christmas!  Look for Part 3, "Christmas Feast" coming very soon!



Merry Christmas from Libre Infancia...........



...and from the children of Zone 3.  Merry Christmas!