Hiking up the slopes of the constantly erupting Pacaya Volcano, just outside of Guatemala City, I was working. Although I have always wanted to be a tour guide, or an adventure star like Les Stroud ("Survivorman") or Bear Grylls ("Man vs. Wild"), my job often allows me to fill the role while accomplishing a mission - James 1:27.
I realized last night that I have the coolest job in the world. We all know that the most dangerous job in the world is being an Alaskan crab fisherman, and the most fun job in the world is being an international cuisine reviewer like Anthony Bourdain, but I have to say that I know of only my job that allows me to be risky & adventurous, sampling the good and the bad of international life, while accomplishing an eternal task.
Yesterday I met some friends of friends and their friends on the slopes of Pacaya. It was my 3rd time to climb this fire-breathing dragon of a volcano, but it was a unique experience. As we ventured near the lava flows, and watched the eruptions tumble down the mountain, we talked about the poverty, orphaning and abandonment problems in Guatemala.
There are a few great moments every so often, when on a Sunday morning you can worship God, enjoy His creation, and work to solve the problems that sin causes IN that creation - all at the same time. I thank God for friends, and friends of friends, who are also working to help the least of the least in the world through various means. I am honored to be a part of the global team of Christians who are putting faith into action. Quite frankly, I have the best job in the world.
Check out the pictures in my photo album and the video I took a while back looking into the crater of the errupting volcano.
I just have one question though...where are Frodo and Sam?