The Volcan Baru Hike

So the hike plans were changed to the boys leaving with the group and Danielle and I staying behind. Danielle could not make the hike and she did not like the idea of staying all night with someone. The boys left at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning the 2oth and headed to the Beckner's. It took a while to get off and they had to get everyone loaded and ready. They made a stop downtown at the hostel to rent the camping equipment, this is a story! The lady thought that they were camping there at the hostel. She goes to show us the tent and the bags and they were set up by the river. Jason realized that she was wanting to rent there, overnight so he goes back to the vehicle and yells "Aribey, Lori, I need your help!" So Aribey came and went to the woman by the tent at the river that was already set up and asked about renting it to take up the mountain. They say "Oh no,no,no we do not do that!" So Jason and Dylan were without sleeping bags and tent. The group came up with the idea to get a tent that they had at the Murphy's house and use regular covers. The next thing I know is Gail is knocking at my door "I need your covers", I was so confused. She said that they couldn't get a sleeping bag or tent so she needed covers and she was on her way to get a tent from her house. After she left I had a meltdown, I was worried about my boys freezing in the mountain! Back at the hostel the rest of the group is waiting on Jim and Gail to get the tent and covers for about 45 minutes. They finally get to leave at 10:45.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, (ha,ha) Our dryer is out of gas and I don't know it. So I have two loads of wet laundry to get dry. Danielle and I walk it to the Sanders and hang it up to dry, that was heavy, and I realized I could not have done the hike with a 50 pound backpack on! Two car loads head up the mountain to get to the entrance of Volcan Baru Nacional Parque, one of the vehicles catch on fire. Jay takes care of that and the crew puts on there packs and takes a shot of energy drink. They head up and it is steep hills with heavy packs. It took longer than they expected. Because of the time after halfway up the group was talking about how they would be hiking after dark. Jason did not like the sound of that and thought it would not be safe. When they got to 7.5 km there was still another 5.5 km to go and Jason knew he was done, his legs just couldn't do it. It was 4:30 and he had another 2 hours of daylight so he and Dylan headed down the mountain to get as far as they could with daylight and then set up tent. At 5:30 they set up tent and ate dinner then at 6:30 they laid down and were about to go to sleep when at 7 or a little after they see a flashlight  outside of the tent. They next hear "Jason" and then Jason peeked his head out of the tent and it was Gail and Lawson and they asked if we wanted a ride home from these guys in a truck. So they gathered their things and came on home. To my surprise they came in the door at 8:20 and I was so happy to see my boys safe and sound.

Meteor Shower

Friday, December the 13th
We had a fun day in the ministry working out in service for 7 hours. After the ministry we made the most delicious lentil chili ever! At about 9pm we went to the Sanders to lay on the trampoline for a meteor shower that was suppose to take place. The Bromley's were there also. They are a former missionary couple that moved here with their 13 yr. old son Cameron from New Jersey. We waited and waited and watched and watched. No meteor shower. We dis see an amazing rainbow circle around the moon and that was beautiful! My camera did not capture it, just the moon. 

Saturday  December 14th

We walked in service to the territory just about 6 or 8 blocks from where we live. We  worked in the territory for a couple hours then did a couple return visits. We had a great morning although we did not find any English speaking people and mine and Lori's calls were not at home.  After walking in the heat all morning we were tired and the kid wanted to swim so we went to the pool at La Estancia on Volcancito road. It was lots of fun. Lori and I walked most of the way home afterwards so we were not all squished in Lawson's car.

Hall Clean Up

December 7, 2013
 So after we got our new sign up everyone was so excited so the first chance we got we had a clean up day with both congregations. We really enjoyed that. The Saturday in December after bible study day we joined the Spanish brothers and sisters to really clean. We took out all the screens vacuumed and washed them, replaced the screens that needed replacing, vacuumed all the windows out, washed the iron on the outside of the windows and the doors, took each and every chair outside and washed dried and brought them back in after all the light covers had been washed and floors thoroughly cleaned, the bathrooms were cleaned, the shelves and literature counters were dusted, lots of landscaping was done and flowers were planted as well as rocks painted. What a fine witness this was to the community!

December 9th
After field service today we started training for our hike up Volcan Baru, which has been set for December 20th. We did an hour of downhill, uphill, upstairs, downstairs, steep stairs! WOW! We are not in shape at all, although had I done that 2 months ago when I first got here I would have had a heart attack! So we shall continue training increasing a little each time to prepare, so we will live the 7-8 hour hike one way. (It is a hike of over 11,ooo feet) The highest point in all of Panama.
December 10th
Jason and Dylan go swimming with friends and Danielle and I have mommy-daughter day in downtown Boquete. We all had a great time. We ended a perfect day with a perfect evening: Family Worship.