Blog 012

The highlands have my heart ⛰️ 

We spent our last week of outreach partnered with a local church in Jiwaka village up in the mountains of PNG. Everything about this time was healing to my heart; from the kindness and generosity of the people; to their deep hunger for the things of God; to the absolute grandeur and beauty of the scenery.

Driving through the mountains and valleys, it felt like a picture of this journey I’ve been on, or rather of life itself.

Looking back, I don’t think I’ve yet fully realized everything I’ve seen and experienced here in PNG, but this past week has certainly marked me. I wanted to be in PNG before I even arrived in Kona for reasons I couldn’t even explain. I knew it could only have been the Lord who put the desire in my heart. Some days felt like mountains and some felt very much so like valleys. So every day I would ask the Lord to give me a heart for this land and its people; I had to seek for the hidden treasures of each day.

But this past week the treasures were not hidden. The reasons became obvious. And my all questions were answered. 

I finally realized that it was all worth it.

I heard someone say:

“Mountain tops are meant to transform you by the glory of God, and valleys are designed to conform you to be more like Christ by the grace of God.”

How true this is.

I’m reminded of the book ‘Hind’s Feet on High Places’ (a must-read if you haven’t already). What a journey the Good Shepherd has us on as He leads us to the high place. The Lord is steadfast. He has consistently walked with me from the coastland, through the valley, and into the highlands - literally and figuratively.

I’m realizing more and more that God is no less faithful in the highlands or in the valley. He is the summit where our feet are. He is never far and never too hard to find.

“God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on the high places.” Habakkuk 3:19