Thursday evening, I got to go rock climbing with Geoff and Madi. Geoff is pretty experienced and gave Madi and I some tips. Madi had done some rock climbing in the past and was fairly good. All three of us decided to “boulder”. Basically there were walls that were only about 12 feet or so, and you would climb to the top and the jump down. It saved us time since we didn’t have to get all harnessed in for each climb. There were some tough climbs, and it amazed me watching Geoff and some other better climbers who could hold on to the smallest of handholds and still get to the top. I normally had to have at least one good hold that I could pivot on, otherwise I was toast. The time flew by quickly and in a matter of minutes a couple hours had passed and we were wiped. As we finished up, Geoff brought Madi and me over to this pull-up bar, but it wasn’t just any pull-up bar. This one had hand holds, and got smaller and smaller until it was a two finger hold. He had us go through different exercises, pull-ups and holds on the different levels and hand holds. After I struggled with a few of the larger holds, Geoff blew us away and did a number of pull-ups on this tiny little hold. It was amazing since you need a great deal of finger strength for the smallest holds. Walking out we were all spent. Surprisingly, rock climbing gives you a full body workout unlike any other. My whole body was pretty worn out, and my forearms were especially sore. Luckily when I woke up Friday morning I could at least walk.
Friday provided a full day of adventure! I woke up around 7am and took off for the states. Due to some construction I missed my turn and went a different direction and the little chute I was on that went through Tijuana didn’t have any exits. Quickly, I found myself a ways away from where I was supposed to be, and trying to circle back and get to the border line for the crossing. With some patience, I was able to get to a familiar place and get back in line. Although it was a little stressful at the time, it turned out to be a really good experience. Getting lost and then finding your way is a good confidence builder.
Yet, when I got to the border, I had a 2+ hour wait. On top of that, the Chevy pick-up I took didn’t have any AC. It took me from 7am-9:45am to go what is normally only twenty miles. So I arrived at the office a little fried. I picked up John and we took off to pick up some donations. Right as I got on the free way, I saw police lights come on right behind me. I pulled over and the officer quietly came up and asked for my license, registration and insurance. I gave him all three and politely asked if I was doing something wrong? He asked where were coming from and we replied that we were coming from Chula Vista. He didn’t respond and just circled the truck examining it. He came up to the side and questioned a dent on the side of the truck. Thankfully, John knew that that had occurred earlier this summer and told the officer so. The man could see that it was an older dink. He then explained that a hit and run had been reported and the culprit had been a guy in a white pick-up with rack on top. Essentially, it was almost the identical truck to us. The officer then let us go and apologized for the inconvenience. It wasn’t a problem, but getting pulled over by a cop is always a little stressful, even if you know you weren’t doing anything wrong.
John and I then went and picked up the donations in Rancho Santa Fe and Mission Bay. After getting some awesome fish tacos, we returned to the office. My job then was to unload the pick-up of all the donations, catalog all of the items, and store them in the warehouse. Then I had to load the truck up with donated boxes of milk, water, food, juice, and other items. My old UPS truck packing came in handy. One of the staff members came back and saw the truck after I had loaded it up and said they had never seen the truck so fully loaded. However, I had packed everything tight enough so that it was solid and didn’t budge.
Since the border we cross at Tijuana doesn’t allow any imported goods, John led me across the desert to the next border crossing. John was able to handle all the business of bring the goods across. It’s a bummer, but even though it’s a non-profit organization, we have to pay a tax for importing the goods. After being approved, you have to go through this final gate. The gate gives you either a green or red light. A green and you’re good to go, a red and you have to pull over and be searched. While everyone else was getting through without a hitch, I went up, and got the red light. So we pull over and wait another half an hour for the patrol to search the items. After a half an hour of nothing happening, John went and found our first security guard and asked if we might be able to get it searched if we have to. Thankfully the guard had already inspected our load so he stamped our papers and let us get through. After getting back to the orphanage I helped unload all the supplies and then went and sat down in my room, glanced at the clock… 7pm. It turned out to be a long day, and this week has been full of surprises, but at the moment, I like the change of pace. After dinner I went down and helped watch the Nasser kids. I really do love how it’s one big family here at the ranch, it’s a great atmosphere.
Today has been pretty simple, after sleeping in, we all had breakfast. I helped out cleaning the chapel and then had to help carry the supplies I had picked up to another place on the orphanage. Now I’ve got a bit of free time. I’ll probably head out in a second and play some soccer with the boys.
Under His Mercy,
Joel
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