Shining His Light in Dark Places

By – Annelize Theunissen

In my preparation for the second Freedom Climb to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in Nepal I asked a friend who helped us prepare for the 1st Freedom Climb to Kilimanjaro if he had any advice/tips for the climbers going to EBC. From my experience on Kilimanjaro I knew any information/tips could make the preparation more focused and hopefully help us to be more prepared.

Annelize and Ilsa

His reply came back a couple of weeks later. He advised us to ‘budget for water’ on the mountain if we had to buy it. His second piece of advice kept me puzzled until I returned from Nepal. He said Nepal and the Himalayas is a ‘dark place’ spiritually.
I had no clue what to make of this. Growing up in a Christian home and committing my life to Jesus at the age of 12, I never really experienced spiritual darkness. I always had a very close relationship with God and grew in my relationship with Him. I also had to walk a road to true freedom in Christ. Even in my darkest moments I always experienced God very closely and most of the time as my best companion.
What does a spiritually dark place look like? I clearly had no idea. In my quiet times I tried to prepare myself for this challenge. From my experience on Kilimanjaro, I knew your spiritual muscles work just as hard as your physical muscles to get up any mountain.
In one of my quiet time moments, I saw a picture of climbers walking up a very dark mountain. On their backpacks, they carried oil lamps that were lighting the way up as they went higher and higher up the mountain. The light never disappeared, and the ground they covered stayed lighted. I had no idea what this picture implied but asked God that if this was a vision from Him to confirm it with at least two different sources. At two different incidents, friends confirmed this image and some of its meaning. One of last year’s prayer team members, Liesl Fuls, also had a word from God that the climbers will be ‘light bearers’.

This image was in the back of my mind as we left for our trip to Nepal. The excitement and many challenges that faced the group had my focus on many things. This image might have even slipped from my mind as the group experienced a havoc of illness and struggles. It definitely didn’t feel like any light was shining from us at the time. I shared a tent with the team doctor. She was challenged from the start as some of the team members got sick even before we left for Lukla. This situation never really calmed down, and the day at Dingboche when some of the members had to turn back was filled with a somber atmosphere. No light was shining very brightly on this day.

Annelize and Ilsa

One day on our trek towards Tenboche two days before, we had stopped for a much needed break at a tea house on the way. The tea house had an open area in front of the house and at first glance it seemed like any other tea house. One of the team members, Kristy, mentioned to me that one of the trekkers, an older man had his arms wrapped around a young Nepalese girl. It is very difficult to guess her age but she looked like a preteen, about 12 or 13 years old. She didn’t look too comfortable, and I realized what we saw was what the Freedom Climb tried to bring awareness to. I just stood there and started praying. In that time, she stood up and left the area. The older man looked a bit uncomfortable with our presence there. Will we ever know what this meant? At the time it just seemed like an unfortunate situation.

Everest

With our return from Lukla, we had a session with the Omega prayer team. Again one of the prayer team member stationed at OM Nepal confirmed a word from God shining His light in this dark world. This is when it hit me like a lightning bolt. God is light!!! That is His character. That is who He is. Darkness is not an entity; it is the absence of light! And this is exactly what we were experiencing in Nepal. The people are friendly but when you look into their eyes, there is no light shining. I realized that this group of ‘light bearers’ had a huge responsibility along with every ‘light bearer’ in this world calling Jesus our Lord and Savior. We have to shine our ‘light’ wherever we go.
I returned from Nepal filled with a heart burning with a love for the Gospel, the only answer to the darkness in this world. Jesus is and always will be the answer to the world’s challenges. This is also something that I believe we take for granted in a country were Christianity can be practiced openly and freely. The alternative is a dark and gloomy place. Do we want to live in such a world? I want to scream from the mountains NO, NO, NO!
May God through His grace fill us with a new love for the Gospel of Jesus. May we never stop shining our light wherever we go and telling people about a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago to reconcile man with God and who paid the ultimate price to pave the way for us to go back to God. May we shine our lights in this dark situation of human trafficking and modern day slavery. May this ‘light’ never stop shining till there is no more darkness.
On my way back from Lukla, I received an update from my husband. Our communication on the mountain was very limited. The greatest news any mother can receive: my daughter committed her live to Christ on the day that we summated Kala Patthar. Another light shining brightly in this dark world!

Freedom Climb 2013 – One Climber’s Reflection

By – Celia Shortt

Freedom Climb 2013 was an experience like no other. Each of the 45 women climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp was focused on raising awareness and funds for women and children around the world who are trafficked, oppressed, and enslaved. Each climber knew trekking to the base camp would not be easy, but the whole experienced ended up being much harder and more difficult than any anticipated.

The team was hit with an incapacitating stomach bug right before the climb started. This sickness affected nearly everyone and almost ended the trip. As it was, several of the climbers had to stay in Kathmandu, others had to leave the mountain early, and none made it to Everest Base Camp. Twenty-four of the women, however, were able to summit Kala Patthar Peak.

In the midst of the disappointment and dealing with a situation that was not going as planned, one of the climbers, Ilse Joubert, saw God’s grace and provision like never before. Ilse is a doctor in Cape Town, South Africa. She was asked to do the Freedom Climb to serve as the team doctor and to represent her country. She also has a desire to connect with people who are working against human trafficking.

Like others in the Freedom Climb, Ilse had little experience with trekking or climbing mountains. Unlike them, however, she had spent the last year recovering from major hip surgery.

“Since my hip surgery was less than a year ago, I was anxious that I wanted to do this out of my own will and not God’s,” Ilse said, “I kept getting spasms when I tried to train, and my doctor just shook his head and said that there is no way you will be ready in two months. I tackled my preparations in faith, leaving it in God’s hands to close the door if my hip would be detrimental to the team.”

Ilse Joubert

When more and more of the climbers grew sick, Ilse was running around taking care of all of them even when she started to get sick.

“I never prayed more in my life, doing rounds in my head as I fell asleep, leaving those who collapsed at some stage, or still running up and down the corridors to the toilets in God’s hands for the night, praying for them as I woke up, stopping them in the corridors to ask if they needed help in between sleep sessions,” Ilse remembered, “Apparently I even sorted them out, talked about medicine and gave orders in my sleep!

In the midst of unexpected and unreal circumstances like these, many people would give up, go home, and forget why they are there in the first place. None of these climbers, Ilse included, did that. They all remained focused on the women and children who live everyday enslaved, oppressed, and unable to declare freedom in their lives.

“I have never experienced God’s grace, mercy and rest as intensely as during this trek,” Ilse said, “and I am convinced He kept me strong and revived me to be there for the ladies, because we were serving His Purpose. I enjoyed every moment thoroughly, and the challenge of being there for the team kept me alert, stimulated and full of energy. Never have I been so aware and reliant on God’s healing of my patients as on this never ending challenging expedition that started out with fit strong ladies, crippled by the effects of disease and dehydration. Where medicine and medical knowledge couldn’t help anymore, God did and kept them safe from major life threatening complications and death. When we returned safely back to Kathmandu I could only fall on my knees in gratitude to God for bringing back every lady safe and sound, singing: Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, Our God is higher than any mountain, our God is HEALER, awesome Redeemer, our God!!”

Everybody!

God who in His goodness and grace helped these women who were following His purpose for them loves every woman and child and man who is enslaved, trafficked, and oppressed in the world today. Through Him, they will be set free. May we, like all of those women who climbed, continue to do our part to raise awareness and funds for them.

Freedom Climb 2013 – On the Way Home!

By – Celia Shortt

The Freedom Climb team is leaving Kathmandu and each climber is on the way to her home! Click on the link below to see a video of them summiting Kala Patthar Peak.

Now that the climb is finished, the real work begins, continuing to raise awareness and funds for women and children all over the world who are oppressed, enslaved, and trafficked. Continue to pray for these women that they would use this experience wisely in that purpose. For more information on what they’re doing and how you can get involved with the Freedom Climb, go to the Freedom Climb Website.

Freedom Climb 2013 – Everyone is Back in Kathmandu!

By – Celia Shortt

Today, all the climbers are back in Kathmandu! Everyone of them made their flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. The weather was great, and the skies are still clear! All are thankful for the experience but glad to be off the mountain and anxious to get back home.

Christina and Pat

 

“We made it down the valley back to Kathmandu, we are healthy and mostly in one piece. An incredible adventure where we left everything (literally and figuratively) on the mountain, but I think I speak for the group when I say we are excited to be going home where we are without a doubt thankful for the friends and family who have supported us. As well as the little things like being able to walk to a warm bathroom barefoot, sit down toilets that flush, and ice cubes that don’t make you sick.” – Christina Taylor

Becky Barnhart

 

“Back in Kathmandu…bittersweet to leave Lukla and the Himalayas this morning. Ready to be home, but also sad to leave. God has definitely met me on this journey, and I am forever grateful and blessed for the opportunity.” – Becky Barnhart

 

After reuniting with the prayer team, Tina Yeager, found out one of the most powerful parts of the climb happened in Kathmandu while her team was summiting Kala Patthar.

Tina and other climbers on Kala Patthar

“The same day that we summited, in Kathmandu, the newspaper reported that that day ten traffickers were arrested. The article listed the traffickers’ names, and the prayer team talked about how they wrote down those names and prayed over each individual who was arrested to break their chains because the same bondage that holds these children and women is the same bondage that the enemy, who holds these sick people in bondage, uses. So our prayer team reacted in love towards these people, in prayer for these people, and in intercession for these ten people that they would be delivered.” – Tina Yeager

The team is spending another day in Kathmandu before flying out tomorrow evening (early evening our time). Thank you for all the prayers and everything each one of you has done. Continue to pray for the travels and that those who have been sick would continue to get better. Check back here, the Freedom Climb Facebook page, and website for more details, pictures, and videos of the climbers.

Freedom Climb 2013 – Back in Lukla

By – Celia Shortt

All of the Freedom Climbers are back in Lukla! The last of the climbers made it there this afternoon. Their trek today had much less snow than the last few days. They are enjoying the clearer weather and being one step closer to home.

Last Trek!

Last Trek! – Tina Yeager, Anette Sky, and Autumn Ross

Sue trying to lift a really HEAVY basket

Anette tried, too!

God’s Beauty in the Scenery

Beautiful Trek

Last time crossing the bridge!

“I did this with my daughter. Twenty-five years ago when I gave birth to her, I never ever imagined that she and I would be trekking through the Himalayas together. And it’s just been such a wonderful experience — spiritually, physically, emotionally. We’ve hit it all.”       – Kristy Allan

Kristy Allan and her daughter, Lindsay.

Tomorrow, all the climbers head back to Kathmandu. The weather forecast says snow could be coming when they are supposed to fly out. So far, the weather has been clear. Pray that it stays clear, and everyone is able to fly out of Lukla and back to Kathmandu tomorrow (late night here). Check back here, the Freedom Climb Facebook page, and website for more details, pictures, and videos of the climbers.

Freedom Climb 2013 – Lots of Snow!

By – Celia Shortt

Today, both Freedom Climb teams continued their descent down the mountain. Cathey Anderson’s team headed to Monjo. The team that summited Kala Patthar headed to Namche. Both teams are still experiencing some crazy winter weather.

“The descent to Namche was cold and rainy with snow gusts. Currently, it’s a winter wonderland.” – Tina Yeager

Snowy Descent to Namche

Snowy Descent to Namche

Even with the crazy weather, they are pressing on to finish the climb well. One climber, Ana Lucia Berndt da Luz, from Brazil says this about this entire experience:

“It has been such an overwhelming experience. We can feel the spiritual welfare. Every time, we can see God’s hands over us, protecting us, providing everything we need. Many of us got sick, but everyone understands that our suffering connects us to the people we are climbing for — how they suffer, how they can’t bear their struggles. And we are here coming down, happy, getting better and better. And we are feeling victorious.”

The View from Kala Patthar

Tomorrow, both teams will meet in Lukla where they will fly back to Kathmandu. Please pray for good weather. The forecast says there will be snow. If there is, they will not be able to fly out to Kathmandu. Continue to pray for their health and safety as they trek down the mountain. Check back here, the Freedom Climb Facebook page, and website for more details, pictures, and videos of the climbers.

Freedom Climb 2013 – Strong Helping the Weak

By – Celia Shortt

Yesterday, Cathey Anderson’s team had another surprise after they had settled into their camp…snow…in April! Their guide, Paul, says that he has never seen snow like this in April before.

“Looks like a white Christmas! Won’t have to worry about dust today!…Here’s a thought! We can see all this snow, and say, “Lord, REALLY???” Or we can say, “Lord! Really!!!!” Two of the ladies are so blessed because this is the first time in their lives they have ever seen snow! All in the perspective!” – Cathey Anderson

Snow in April!

Some of the climbers also gained a perspective on this entire experience.

“One of the things I’ve seen in this experience is how important it is for the stronger people to be able to help the weak. And I’ve needed that. I don’t have good knees, so I needed  people to stick by me while we’re walking down. Cathey stuck by me all day. She could probably run down the mountain by herself. Thinking of the people who we climb for and how much they need the help of the Body of Christ, we have to stick by them.” – Joanne Hummel

Joanne Hummel

Cathey’s team also took some much deserved time to celebrate Bama’s birthday (today)! Not only is Bama doing the Freedom Climb on her birthday, but she is also seeing snow for the first time in her life

Happy birthday, Bama!

The team that summited Kala Patthar is also headed down the mountain. To get to that summit, they had to deal with frigid temperatures and winds strong enough to knock them over. In the midst of those struggles, they were able to experience the presence and voice of God in a new way and identify even more with the women and children for whom they were climbing.

Autumn Ross

“We were struggling to get up there. It was so windy, and He was telling me that all you have to do is have faith, and I will finish this for you. So then I began to pray, and I asked the Lord to wake up all the prayer warriors. I felt that as they prayed that the Lord dispatched warring angels as well as ministering angels…I felt buoyed up by the angels, literally. And I felt like they were just lifting us up that last step.” – Autumn Ross

“Yesterday, when we were doing the summit day, it was so hard and physically painful. The whole time I kept thinking this really is symbolic of the pain those women and children are going through. It is a completely different kind of pain, but it was brutal. We just wanted to be done with it. Just thinking about the women and children who can’t be done with it, and they have to just live with it…I think we all have that on our minds and hearts when we’re climbing.” – Sarah Bradfield

Sarah Bradfield

Cathey’s team is headed Monju tomorrow, and the other team is headed to Namche. Continue to pray for their health and safety as they trek down the mountain. Check back here, the Freedom Climb Facebook page, and website for more details, pictures, and videos of the climbers.