It was 11:00am as I ran and hopped on the already moving multi-colored Nicaraguan bus towards the countryside. "Mombacho," I hollered as I handed over 10 Cordoba.
Twenty minutes later, we rolled to a stop as I jumped out the back and struck foot on my way.
Despite hyperextending my knee the day before, I was bound and determined to climb that volcano – it would happen.
Upon arrival to the entrance in the tuk-tuk, I paid my $3 and headed out on my 5km journey to the top.
No matter what, I wouldn't stop before the thirty minute mark.
I didn't care – I was setting goals and going to hit them.
This was happening or I was going to die trying.
Worship music was nestled in one ear as the sounds of nature hit my heart deep from the other. Rushing wind, howler monkeys, and the bending of bamboo in the brush – that's what I heard. Everything was alive and I was climbing a Nicaraguan volcano! Despite the raging tension of my muscles and sweat dripping down my brow, I couldn't have been happier.
God was stirring in me and I had a lot on my mind.
This was to be a journey deeper into His heart – I wanted it.
After thirty minutes of heart pumping up-hill movement, I took a pit-stop at the Las Flores Coffee Plantation and gladly gave myself a tour. I visited with the natives who joyfully sat sifting coffee beans as the day passed them by, then I continued on my way…
The last 2km of this once lava spitting rock were from hell – I had to lean uphill and drive my knees hard to my chest just to move forward. I felt like I was training for college football all over again, except this was worse!
The last hundred yards was heart wrenching – I had to stop four different times and turn backwards to give my calves a rest. The pay-off was rewarding as the top hit me with a cool breeze on my neck, sight of the distant countryside, and a lush green jungle-like crater deep in the volcano.
I began my trek around the crater and shortly came to the "tunnel" that was screaming my name. It was a 50 foot wall of tempation on each side that I couldn't turn down – you bet, it happened.
On my way down the wall, a young 27 year old American woman walked up.
After a short introduction I asked, "Are you by yourself?"
"Yes," she exclaimed.
"Have you ever been to Nicaragua before?"
"No."
"Do you speak Spanish?"
"No," she said with a more concerned look.
She continued to tell me that she was visitng her boyfriend who is getting his doctorate in Nicaragua and she had a few days by herself. She had been roaming around and trying out a few of the most popular adventures.
She wanted to know what I was doing in Nicaragua, so I told her the exciting details – I'm a Christian missionary.
As our conversation came to a close and I proceeded down the trail she said, "Colby, do you mind if I stick with you? I don't want this to sound weird, but I would feel much safer if you let me go with you."
Of course, I felt a bit awkward because I want to be above reproach in every breathing moment, but I checked my spirit, got the 'go', and said, "come on!" I was glad to be her "protector".
Over the next few hours, we exchanged bits of our stories and enjoyed the view of our down hill hike.
Of course, I had to tell her the exciting things that God had been doing in my life, about where I had been, where I am, and where I'm going. I told her of my raising, my family, the World Race, and many other details of why I am doing what I am.
When I am passionate about something, I want to tell it all…
At one point, I paused and said, "Did you grow up hearing about this kind of stuff?" I was referring to the powerful testimonies of the movement of this supernatural God that I had been speaking of.
She looked at me and stumbled over her words, "Um… I don't… I grew up in a religious church… but… kinda… yes… I guess… no, not really… It's not weird, I just don't know how to say it…"
I told her, "It's okay, you're not going to hurt my feelings or offend me at all, I promise. Say it how you feel it."
"To be honest, I think the whole religious thing with God and Jesus is good for some people but everyone that I have known througout my life that claimed religion was always so hypocritical and I don't see any of that in you. I don't know what to do right now…"
Heck, I didn't know what to do but choke back tears at the thought that she saw Jesus.
I held off and let her spin in her thoughts as we casually engaged in conversations of grace…
If you were to ask me, that day was a success upon the stirring of her heart.
Thank you Jesus, for your non-relenting pursuit of your kids…
