Dear Family and Friends,
This past weekend I (Dan) climbed the Maderas Volcano on Ometepe Island with many of NCA's 7th and 8th grade students.
Nicaragua is called the "Land of Lakes and Volcanos" and you can see why in the picture above. The Maderas Volcano is in the distance on the right hand side. We started hiking at 7:30 a.m. and the last group arrived back at the base camp at 7:30 p.m. It was an extremely difficult climb and an incredible experience to be with the students as they overcame their exhaustion and made it all the way to the top and back. One student shared with me on the way down that he didn't think he was going to be able to make it to the top and that he was very proud of himself for completing the climb.
Our theme verse for the hike was Hebrews 12:1 - 3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Dan with some of the students on the trail.
Grace and Peace,
the Van Zoest family | 
