A Hike to Remember

    The first week is done and I can’t even decide what I should talk about. There is so much! Ok well, I guess we should talk about one of the hardest and the most faith-building things I’ve done here so far. That would have to be the fitness hike.

     The hike is where we pack up all the stuff we brought, not including our tent and day pack, and carry it all on a 2-mile hike that we have to finish in 38 minutes. I know doesn’t sound like a lot right? but you would be surprised how heavy a 40-pound backpack gets as you walk/run up a steep hill twice in the hot and humid Georgia sun. Ok, I should probably start talking about the hike now! Well, we did the hike on Sunday the fifth. The day started out normal we woke up and got breakfast then headed back to our campsite. We started packing and stuffing everything we can fit into our bags, which I would just like to say is a skill. We had to have everything packed up before 11 so our leaders could come to check that everything was packed up. After the leaders checked our stuff they had to go and help with timing and other stuff involving the hike. So we had free time till 3:30 in which we all did different things to distract ourselves from the nerves building up. The way I chose to distract myself was by spending time with the Lord and do a devotional.

    In that devotional, it talked about Moses and how he had to keep his hands raised for his army to win. He did this to show God physically was the one sustaining them. So after reading that story I felt the Lord telling me to bring my bible on the hike. To physically show that he is the reason I was going to be able to do the hike. At first, I thought He was crazy, how can adding things to my person help me actually do the hike but then I forgot myself and trusted him. So I brought my bible. At 3 the whole squad met up to worship, stretch, and get warmed up. Then at 3:30, bible in hand, we were off. At first, the hike wasn’t that bad people were on the sides cheering us on and directing us. I started out with listening to one direction to get myself pumped up but realized I needed to focus. I turned the music off and just listen to what was around me. It was hot and sticky and a lot of uphill walking. I quickly started regretting not working out in quarantine. As my feet hit the ground moving me forward with each step I just kept repeating Psalm 23:4 which says, “even though I walk through the darkest of the valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. I’m so thankful I listened and brought my bible because it gave me a physical reminder that I could not do it without God, who is my strength. He not only gave me physical strength but mental strength and people to help me walk and run the path. There was this massively steep hill that was nicknamed the “I can’t hill” because many quit on it. We had to run up it twice to finish the 2 miles. The first time I did it alone and it was so hard but I just had to keep reminding myself that God brought me to this so he will bring me through it. The second time our mentor Kyndal Broome came alongside me and helped me carry my burden pushing to the very ended. When I crossed that finish line couldn’t help but just praise God for getting me through it.

    He is the only reason why I made the time and finished the hike. He taught me many lessons on that hike. Like how hard things are going to come and all I have to do is keep trusting, praying, and leaning on God and His strength. Another lesson He taught me was how as Christian we might not always be able to take people’s loads and burdens but we can walk alongside them helping when we need to and being there when we can’t. In the end, I’m so thankful that the Lord could use a HIKE of all things to teach me important lessons and build my trust in him. Although, I will not be doing that hike again for a VERY VERY long time. Until next time, Esther Collins.