Lava

Things don't always go as you plan, and that is why I ended up riding a bus 12 out of 30 hours this weekend, but it was well worth it. I, along with three other girls decided Friday night that we wanted to go to Antigua and hike Pacaya, the most active volcano in Guatemala. Thanks to the generosities of the father of one of the girls, it ended up being a very cheap trip!

So we left at 7:00 am Saturday. We made it to Antigua by 11:00, which is incredibly fast, that is because we had a crazy bus driver. I actually text Tony on the way and asked him to pray that we would arrive alive. I felt like I was riding an amusement park ride the whole way. My hands only left the bar in front of me for a few minutes. But we made it there fast and in one piece! Once in Antigua we found a hotel, and signed up for a Pacaya hike. Once we were finally on our way to the volcano I was lucky enough to be able to sleep on the bus, which was wonderful and badly needed.
Pacaya is possibly the most amazing natural thing I have seen on this earth. To only go on a hour hike and then be within feet of lava is indescribable. The heat that the lava puts out is almost unbearable. Once we reached the grassy plateau before descending to the lava we could already feel the heat. And once we got down on the lava field it felt like my skin was melting off and it was difficult to breath. We couldn't stand in one place for long at all without the bottom of our shoes melting. We started our hike back just as it was getting dark, so the lava was really glowing! I also met a girl from Sioux Falls at the top. She saw my Augie Tshirt and asked where I was from. She was in Guatemala on a mission trip, what a small world.


After another 2 hour bus ride back to Antigua we were all too exhausted to do anything and we went almost straight to bed. It was a wonderful experience and we had a great time together. We made it back to Xela Sunday morning and afternoon with no problems or crazy bus drivers:)

Tony also did a little hiking this weekend to Laguna Chicabal, a crater lake. He didn't have the camera, but here is a picture of where he went!

Update: My friend Liz's dad did pass away on Saturday. They are relieved that he is no longer suffering, but he will be greatly missed. He was an amazing man of God and will leave many memories for year to come. Please continue to pray for comfort and peace for the Reynen family.
This should a normal school week for us again, next week is only a three day week because of labor day in Guatemala. We are planning to spend one or two night in Panachel on Lake Atitlan with some friends. Tony is will only be staying one night as he is giving the SAT at school. So we just need to get through this week and then a short week next week!