 |
Mexican Evangelism | Favorite Sites | Hill-Billy Preacher | Prayer Request |
 |
| Messages | Salvation | Home | Children |
| 00000 |  " To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights." (Exo 24:18 NIV) If you have been following our series of messages, you might remember my mentioning a high mountain near Salvatierra, a city in old Mexico. For many years I had gazed upon this extinct volcano from afar. This time the invitation from "Cerro [mountain] Culucan" [Kulukan] to stand on her highest beacon, was more than I could resist. I was determined - the good Lord willing - to stand upon of that ancient icon. It was as though some voice from the past was beconing me. I accepted that challenge. I don't want to imply that this was on a scale with conquering Mount Everest, but for those of us who made the journey it was an adventure we would never forget. This past tuesday we set out some ten of us for the top of Culancan. It was about five in the evening and I questioned the wisdom of starting so late. But my friends, mexicans, assured me that we would have plenty of time to make the journey. In a small truck and a van we set out on our adventure. As we made our way toward Culucan we passed through some small villiages located at the base of the mountain. After receiving dirrection a few times from the folks along the way we finally arrived at the narrow road that would eventially lead to the highest peak. The road was made from the volcanic rock that had been spewed as one time from this giant that stood before us. Ever so slowly we began our ascent. Our vehicles rocked from one side to the other as we climed ever higher. But time and a lack gasoline was soon to halt our advance. The darkness would soon be upon us and we had no ideal how long it would take us to complete the journey. After some forty five minutes of beginning our ascent we had no choice but to turn back. We had underestimated our friend of the past and we were defeated. But there was manana. And I was determined to obey the call from the top. This past thursday I and two of my friends with extra water for the radiator and a tank full of gas, once more we challenged our friendly foe. This time we were not to be denied. With a few rest stops to allow the moter to kool, we climed higher and higher and higher. I have to admit that I was somewhat nervous as we made switcback after switchback. Was there to be no end to this moutnain. Being a mountain boy I thought that I was well prepared for Senjor Cerro Culacan. But never in my life had I had such a challenge. The mistycle air of this beemoth from afar was not lessened by a close proximity, to the contrary, it was heightened. But finally our mechanical burror, Ford van, brought us safely to the last few feet of seemingly unending road. But others had played the furror before us and made possible my standing on the top of Culuacan. I stood, with feet firmly planted, in order to resist the strong wind, that pulmated the communication towers that extended even farther into the skz. With my recently purchased digital camera in order to relish the experience in some distant time. Many of the the pueblos las before us as much as thrity miles in every direction. The green irragated fields, miles from where I stood, looked like patchwork on some well designed quilt. As the sun begain to set on the horizon my camera clicked over and over trying to capture some of the ambiece I felt during this brief encounter with Cerro Culacan. I thought of Moses as he stood on Sinai. What a consuming expierience it must of been as he stood on the ancient peak as he spoke with the Creator of the heavens and the earth. I am thankful that I felt just tiney part of what he must have felt. After a song or two to praise the Father and a prayer to express my joy of knowing another small part of His creation, the time had come to leave. If I am blessed to return to this ancient land I will look upon this ancient beemeth , and I within myself will proclaim, "I once stood on that high peak. I heard its challenge and I answered that call". I meet "Cerro Calucan" and he is mine. " I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psa 121:1-2 NIV)
|