Ten YWAMers of different nationalities and members of Youth With A Mission Argentina, began their ascent to the summit of the Aconcagua on February 18th, 2010. 


Overcoming huge challenges and after months of preparation, a multinational group from YWAM Argentina managed to reach the 6,962 meter summit of the Aconcagua - the highest peak on the American continent.


Climber Trudy Cooper said "We were ten people with two guides, so we were called the Twelve Apostles and people recognized us because of the cross we carried with us. We made an impact in this "city of 4 months", as they called the Plaza de Mulas base camp.” The guides told the director of the team’s home base in YWAM Mendoza that never in all their years of experience, had they had a team that worked so well together.


During the journey, six of the ten team members were turned away due to physical exhaustion and "mountain sickness." "For all of us, it was a blow to our pride and it was difficult and sad to give up the summit, but some could not adapt to the height (where there is less than 70% oxygen) or simply had no strength to go on," says Trudy. "The guides were surprised because when we reached our limit, we were able to recognize it."


With unusually perfect weather conditions (according to the mountain guides there are only four cloudless days per season in this region, Joel Scheidegger (Switzerland), Joshua Wagar (Canada), Lindsey Hodge (USA) and Janis Polis (Latvia), reached the summit of Aconcagua on February 27, 2010 at 4:15 pm, after ten days of expedition. From there, they reflected on the unity in their multicultural team, shared the Gospel with the Andean community, and proclaimed the glory of God from the highest point of the Americas. 


"I felt the glory of God in every sense. I wouldn’t get there without His power and help," Lindsey said. Janis, who carried a cross on his back throughout the expedition, said that "it was a powerful spiritual experience to intercede for te nations at the peak!


It was an unforgettable experience for all of them; God spoke personally and deeply to each climber. For a few, God brought brokenness in moments of weakness as fears were defeated and characters were molded. Most important, reported the team, was to have realised that they needed first to seek the kingdom of God by serving one another and all other things would follow.


The team experienced God’s faithfulness even before having began their journey. Up until the night before their departure, they had not yet raised the necessary amount of money for such an expedition like this. The next day, they were able to get several people from the team in to the Aconcagua National park for free. Also, a significant part of the necessary equipment was loaned for free.

After having faced the extreme temperatures and the danger that this type of climb implies, the team returned to the city of Mendoza where they were greeted by the leaders and workers of the base with great celebration and joy. A few days later, they met with their three coaches and two guides to have a report time where they prayed for one another and gave copies of YWAM founder, Loren Cunningham’s book, “Is that really you Lord?" to their guides.

"We felt that we have fulfilled the purposes of our mission and that we also left the door open to continue working with the community of climbers so we can reach all those who have this passion for the mountains," said Nicholas Kalinushka, another of the ten members of the team.


Reaching the summit seemed unattainable, but this incredible journey of faith and discipline led YWAM to make history once again, proudly unfurling from the top of the mountain a banner bearing the distinctive logo of our mission.
To see a video that was made at the summit, click here: http://holamendoza.blogspot.com/