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Great Weather on Elbrus
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Weather was terrific yet again! Seven years ago when I was here for my first attempt at Elbrus the weather was horrible! God has blessed us with unbelievably warm and sunny days. Today was no different. We left the hotel at 8:00am for a 45-minute ride to a beautiful area of the valley. We hiked up a trail about 1,400 feet to the edge of a massive glacier for our training day. The crampon and ice axe training was amazing, but the best was yet to come. Tap, our guide, and his assistant Oleg, set ropes for us to practice ice wall assent and descent. The guys loved it!
We just got back to the hotel around 4:00pm (8:00am EST) showered and everyone made a beeline for the small internet cafe where I am now. There are three terminals in an unmarked building and we have to go next door to pay the pharmacist 80 rubles (about $3) for an hour of time online. Several days we were thwarted in our efforts to get online by half a dozen local boys surfing their myspace accounts for hours on end! The world really has become very small!
In a few moments we will all make our way to the small local store for our daily supply of bottled water, bread and local snacks. We'll have a meal of potato and caper soup, hot donut-like pastries with a side bowl full of local honey and some sort of beef/chicken/pork item. I love Russia!
Our evening devotionals continue to go well. We read the 6th and 7th chapters of Acts last night. This is the section that ends with Stephen being stoned to death as the first Christian martyr recorded in the Bible. I shared with the team that I believe this is the only time where we it is recorded that Jesus is "standing" at the right hand of God (rather than "sitting"). It's as though Jesus stood as Stephen was being martyred for his faith to honor Stephen for his sacrifice. We spent the next thirty minutes or so talking about all sorts of things related to the passage we read and then everyone turned in for the night.
Tomorrow morning we move from the hotel at 7,000 feet to the Pruit hut at 14,000 feet. It will be the most taxing day to date. So, please continue to pray for physical, mental, and spiritual strength for all members of the team.
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips and the Expedition Elbrus Team
Here are some photos of our trip:
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Sunday, 29 June 2008
I'm so excited for you guys! Thank you for all you are doing for the people of Liberia. I have been living in Liberia for nearly a month now, with the goal of writing about this war-torn nation. In many ways, Liberia is a forgotten country, and I can't tell you how excited I am for the awareness you are bringing to Liberia's needs! Thank you for what you are doing!
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Sunday, 29 June 2008
That's my son, I am so excited and proud of him and what he is doing for this poor nation. What an adventure for everyone. Congratulations to all! From Kathy Newton, Rob's mom.
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Monday, 30 June 2008
Praying and Fasting for you guys!! Excited in seeing what the Lord has in store for your experience. Thank you for stepping out in faith to make a difference for those so much less fortunate than we here in the U.S. Praise be to the Lord for the great things He is doing through you! -Arielle, Jim's sister-in-law :)
Elbrus Adventure
Monday, 30 June 2008
I pray that your acclimatization hike goes well today as I write this and for your attempt at Elbrus tomorrow. Your team is part of our community and we are with you in support. You are making a difference for Liberia and beyond, as there are many other places where clean water and more is needed. It sounded like such an adventure before the trip and now you all are living that adventure and telling about it. It's good to hear about your expedition and to see the photos. God's strength be with you.
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Now, that icy cliff wall is what I call, "Saying 'yes' to God in radical ways!" Ropes are good, right? =) We support you. We pray for you. We enlist others! We are excited to be part of this expedition and to read about how what you're doing will help people in a seemingly forgotten place. God bless you, Christina. God has not forgotten! God hears the cries of hurting people. You guys answered the call. May we all be softened and inspired to heed the call of not walking past people's pain - whatever that looks like or whatever it may be. WE are God's plan for impacting the world, as He works in and through us. Thank you for leading in this way! - Friend from Frontline He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
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Where Are The Ropes
Am, I missing something, or are the two guys on the right in the last photo not using ropes. It looks like the other two guys are looking over and wondering this also. Whoever the guys without the ropes are, they are just that good, or ....