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A waterfall hike.
It was our honeymoon in Belize and with our package was a few excursions. As I scanned through, I came across the waterfall hike.
In my mind, I could picture hiking through the jungle at a slow pace, on a nice trail, with a small group of people, seeing waterfalls and maybe even getting to wade our feet in the beautiful, clear water.
There weren’t a lot of details, but the girl told me you must wear jeans, closed toe shoes, and be prepared to be gone for most of the day. The tour guides would provide lunch for us.
I couldn’t wait for us to get some pictures standing together in front of a gorgeous waterfall.
We loaded the bus, but only one other couple got on with us. Then our guides Julio and Chico introduced themselves and we headed towards the waterfalls.
Right before we got to our destination, a HUGE snake slithered across the road in front of us. I had never seen one so big! The guides explained it was called a parrot snake.
I do not do snakes.
Finally, we came to a place in the road and the guides said, “we’re here”.
Here? Where is here? There was nothing “here”.
They pointed to a small opening in the thick foliage of the jungle and said, “we go in there”.
GULP.
This was no easy, well-worn path. Chico sliced our way through the jungle, cutting away vines, branches and thick brush.
I did not want to get lost from the group, so I kept desperately urging Shaun and Hunter, “stay with the guides. Quit looking at all that stuff. Keep going. We’re falling behind!”
We finally came to a clearing and exited the thick jungle. There in front of us was a large cave opening. I didn’t see any waterfall, but perhaps it was on the other side.
This is the point where Julio and Chico began outfitting us each with a helmet, harness, head lamp, backpack of supplies and said, “we go in there”.
GULP.
This is not at ALL what I thought we had signed up for! Caves? We were going inside a cave? And why did we need all this safety equipment?
The rest of the day was full of extreme adventure. We weren’t hiking to waterfalls…we were hiking UP waterfalls. Chico climbed the falls and then helped us to the same. At one point, there was so much water pouring into my face, I just had to lower my head and tell Chico he better just pull me up!
Finally, after grueling climbs, being soaked to the bone, crawling through tight spaces, bats flying over our heads, and seeing human remains from sacrifices of the Mayans many years ago, we came to the end.
We stood at the top of a waterfall and we all looked around. It was dark and I couldn’t see any type of opening or place where we would exit.
“Now, we turn around.”
“What? Turn around? Where is the exit?”
“There’s no exit here. We turn around. We go back the way we came.”
“But the waterfalls? We had to climb those!”
“Yes. And now, we jump.”
GULP.
Jump?!
Julio pointed his light to the left, the right and above us to show the rock ledges and said, “miss those”. And then he jumped off the ledge, tucked his thick little legs into a crossed position and yelled “cannonball!” as he plummeted into the dark pool below.
What on earth had I gotten us into?!
We all followed suit, scared to death, but what choice did we have?
Down into the pool we went, one at a time, and thankfully, we all made it.
After more hiking we came to a large open room and the guides began opening their packs and spreading out sheets. They were preparing our lunch. Again, not exactly what I had envisioned. But here we were, eating cold wraps in the middle of a cave, while we were soaking wet and still in shock from the experience.
We all got back on that bus and even though it wasn’t at all what I thought it would be…
It was way better!
Even through the hard climbs, the tough situations we had been in, the less than desirable food, it was incredible.
And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
Luke 21:9-13
“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.”
16-17
“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
The disciples had already given up so much to follow Jesus, and now, He was telling them of what awaited them. Persecution, war, betrayal, famine… all of this?
This is not at all what they thought they were signing up for. This was extreme! It was more than they could handle. It was beyond them. Could they really do this? Was it really worth following Jesus if it meant all of this?
Yes.
The disciples knew it. And they would give their lives for it.
Will we?
Jesus never promised the road would be easy as His follower. In fact, time and time again, He pointed out how hard it would be. But the rewards far outweigh the risk.
I have chosen to follow Christ. Whatever is ahead, I know He will be with me. It may be more than I ever anticipated, but it’s worth it.
Will you do the same?
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