12/05/2023 — Kathy

Rim To Rim

It was March, 2012—the last time I really put myself out there and risked doing hard, scary things for the sake of someone else. Rappelling through waterfalls, whitewater rafting in a rain swollen river and zip lining 12 consecutive times far above the tree canopy of Arenal, Costa Rica. I’ve since decided those kind of adventures are behind me!

But my intrepid and generous TCU friend, Laura Johansen Crosby, is still doing hard, scary things for the sake of others. She went from darkness to light—and back again—as she traversed the heights and depths of the Grand Canyon. She experienced God in such a tangible way that she enthusiastically said yes when asked to do it all over again in 2024 —this time leading a group so that fresh water wells can be drilled in Zambia, Africa. Here is Laura’s story.

Rim To Rim

Last year I was invited to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim (18 miles in 14 hours, 5,000 ft. down and 5,000 ft. back up). I was asked to make a choice to do this hard thing to raise money through World Vision for those who don’t have a choice – they do hard things every day to survive.

I said, “Wait, WHAT??!” and “Are you KIDDING?! I can’t, no…well, ok.”

Completing this Rim to Rim hike was one of the most powerful experiences of my life with God. There are so so many ways He showed up and Scripture came alive. There were situations where I felt like Job:

“My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.”

I experienced the power of prayer and the Body of Christ. We started out at 5:30 am in the dark – an inspiring image of our headlamps, snaking down the canyon, illuminating just enough for the next step until we watched the sun rise over the magnificent canyon.

“Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these stars, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.” Isaiah 40:25-26

There were 15 on our team when we started. One had to turn back at mile 4 (taking a WV coach with him), one fell and cut her head and knee badly, and I had violent “intestinal issues” halfway through the hike which resulted in dehydration, severe cramps, and weakness.

At the risk of being too graphic, this (below) was not the kind of illness I experienced.

As I was in agony behind a boulder and remembering the warning about poisonous snakes that blend in with the rocks, I was like “Ok, Lord, what the heck?!! This is really going to be an embarrassing way to die!” And immediately He brought to mind the kids around the world who have dysentery and don’t have anyone to carry their backpack or give them clean water and electrolytes. Maybe it was to give me a small taste of what they endure, and more empathy.

We were told we wouldn’t have any cell phone reception in the canyon, or it might be spotty at best, but at my lowest point, a little over halfway through, I texted “I am so sick. Please pray!” Miraculously, this text got out and was passed along to family and friends and my phone was flooded with prayers, Scripture, and words of encouragement. I was overwhelmed at the favor of God. And then, shortly after, I felt viscerally carried by prayer – not something I say lightly. One of our WV staff stayed behind with me, carrying my backpack and hydrating me, going slowly until I regained strength and we caught up.

When we started out, I thought the image of God I most needed was Him as my Rock or Strength, but it turned out the most powerful images were God as Shepherd. Our World Vision coach had to turn around and hike back with my teammate who couldn’t make it. Then just at sunset, we watched in amazement as we saw him hiking 4 miles back down towards us from the end of the trail —like a shepherd coming back for his sheep. It was so encouraging and emotional. He sacrificially hiked all the way to the back where our teammate who had fallen was really struggling and hiked with her the rest of the way back up, arriving about half an hour after the rest of us.

The other powerful image God used was light. The last hours we hiked were in complete darkness again. All we could see was one tiny light so far away and so high above us on the rim. It seemed like it never got closer and like we could never make it, but it was steady…the light of Jesus beckoning us home. As we straggled up the last rise we saw the light and heard the cheers and bell-ringing of staff celebrating with us—a foretaste of heaven I think, where the great cloud of witnesses will be waiting to greet us with Jesus.

I set two “impossible” goals back in June. I did this because I figured then God would get all the glory. I asked God to equip me to complete the hike, and to get 50 kids sponsored. Clearly I couldn’t do either on my own.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the all-surpassing power is from God and not us.” (2 Cor. 4:7)

The only other time I have been to the Grand Canyon was when I was 16 years old, on a family vacation. When I saw it, I thought, “There is no way pictures can capture the grandeur of this! You can’t fathom how wide or deep or high it is!”

The next winter I was asked to speak on my church’s youth Sunday. I used Ephesians 3:17-19 and shared my experience at the canyon.

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

This year, more than 50 years since my last visit, upon completing the Rim to Rim hike, this part of the passage came to mind:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Next year I will be claiming that passage as a personal reminder because in God’s great humor and His delight in using the weak, World Vision has asked me to captain a team for next year’s Rim to Rim! We are starting now, and I would love to invite you to be part of the adventure of bringing clean water to the world! You can donate and read more of my water story here!

My friend, Laura Johansen Crosby

Rooted In Truth:…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 40:31 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:9-10 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:25-26 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor 4:7 …even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:10

Growing In Love: What hard things do you need Christ to help you with? Is it a 180 degree attitude change or accomplishing something you know is beyond your natural ability, giftedness or strength? Start praying. Gather a “team” of others to pray for you. Think about others who are doing hard things and give them support in whatever way the Lord leads. Consider joining Laura’s Rim to Rim Team or supporting her Rim To Rim Team as they raise money for World Vision’s water wells.

Read why WV water wells are unparalleled in their longevity:

https://www.worldvision.org/blog/longevity-world-vision-water-wells

Watch:

Water Is Life