Monday, June 8, 2009
It's Monday now, a couple of days since the JILBC ICARE ministry headed by Bro Fred Pangan held its first Grouse Grind Climb-a-thon project. We held it on Saturday June 6 from around 9 AM till just about past noon time. My muscles are still somewhat sore although presently, I can manage walking around without the obvious limp.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was a perfect day to do the Grind. It was not too hot and there was just the right mix of summer breeze and mountain fog. The delegates, including yours truly, started out at the very edge of Parking Lot D. The first group, to which I belonged, began the trek at around 9:30 AM.
What struck me the most when I began the climb up the summit was how crowded the Grind was. And I began thinking why those people were there. I am sure that some were climbing the mountain to relieve the stress of the work week, some wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, some to achieve a personal goal. Whatever the motives of the other climbers on the mountain, it made me feel special to know that the reason why I was doing the Grind was to give glory to my God.
For those of you who supported the delegates and gave your pledges, I thank you from the bottom of my heart because you gave to a worthy cause. Of course, the money that the ICARE ministry collected will be going to go to needy schoolchildren in the Philippines.
It took me around 20 min to arrive at the 1/4 mark at which point I almost lost my mind. I could not believe that all the effort that I had exerted for 20 min only brought me a quarter of the way up, but I pressed on till the 1/2 mark and then the 3/4 mark. The last stretch of the hike was by far the hardest. It was literally the steepest part and I was practically climbing on rock. However, the last stretch was also the most rewarding knowing that just a few more steps and I would already be at the top.
As I neared the top of the summit, I could hear the cheers of those who had already gone before me and that gave me even more courage and strength to push through till the end. Finally after about 1 hour and 40 minutes, I reached the top. I cannot really explain the experience of having conquered the summit, but I must say that when I reached the top I let out a yell just to give thanks to the Lord that He brought me through to complete the challenge.
If you want to know the feeling of not just climbing the Grind, but doing it for the glory of God as well, then join us next year! For those of you who accomplished the Grind on Saturday, I congratulate you especially Bro Edwin Andaya of Van1, Bro Eric Mangao of Van1 and Bro Barry Burgos of Surrey Newton who were the first, second and third fastest to reach the top.
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