In the summer of 2019 I set out to fulfill a life long dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. My good friend Jerry O’Farrell joined me on this quest. Our goal was to hike the entire 2,650 miles from the Mexico border to Canada. We didn’t achieve that goal. Weather, excessive snowfall and other issues prevented us from completing the journey.The reality that Jerry and I were 64 and 66 years old respectively was also a big factor. However, we did hike over 1100 miles, including Southern California, a small portion of Oregon and all of Washington State. We touched both borders and a lot in between. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience.

When we returned to Arizona and resumed our lives, we assumed that we would not have another opportunity to return and complete our journey. Two years have passed and to make a long story short, God has opened another door and opportunity for us to go back on the trail. In a few days we will drive to Walker Pass on the Southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and head North to the gateway of the Sierras and a legend on the PCT, Kennedy Meadows. From there we will, with the Lord’s help, press on to the California/Oregon border, another 1100 mile trek.

Our hike through the Northern Cascades in Washington State two years ago was a spectacular experience. Because of the Northerly latitudes the tree-line is very low and the peaks give the illusion of being dramatically high but in reality the average height is only 7,000 feet. In the first few weeks of our trek through the Southern Sierras, we will pass at least three mountain passes above 12,000 feet. We had hoped to summit Mount Whitney, (14,505 ft) but were unable to secure a permit so we will wave at it as we traverse Forester Pass (13,160 ft), the high point on the PCT.

Jerry and I will be joined on this leg of the journey for about a week by Michael Thang. Michael is a former refugee from Myanmar (Burma). He came to the US with his family over 10 years ago. Sharon and I, along with others from our church, helped Michael graduate from Hope High School and then from Grand Canyon University. He is like a spiritual son to us and we have watched him overcome mountain peaks of adversity as an immigrant adjusting to a new culture and language. Michael reached the summit of his goals last week when he was sworn in as a US citizen. Unlike many in our nation right now, he has a deep love, respect and appreciation for America. The mountains didn’t move away from Michael but God gave him grace to ascend and conquer them.

The Scripture says, “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I never dreamed that I would be able to hike 1100 miles of the PCT in the summer of 2019. When that challenge was past, the idea of continuing two years later seemed inconceivable. Jerry felt the same way. But here we are, on the cusp of a new adventure. Having ascended to higher ground in 2019 we are returning to even higher ground next Tuesday, July 6th, now at 66 and 68 years old , respectively. As before my wife and partner in ministry, Sharon Griffin, who has partnered with me (or I should say I have partnered with her), will be taking the wheel (Jesus, take the wheel too!) and our Associate Pastors (Emilio and Mary Parada), staff and elders will all be stepping up as well. Jerry, Michael and I are in good hands and the church will be in good hands also. Keep us all in your prayers.

Keep watching this blog site for regular postings and updates on our journey.

Pastor Len