Renewal for the young men (part2)

Guess, where we have been?At the top of the highest mountain of Ukraine Hoverla! The young men had a blast!Awesome!

We have a saying in Ukraine. "Every Ukrainian should visit at least once Hoverla". :) When we said that we go to the highest mountain in Ukraine, guys were thrilled. 

So as I said in the previous blog post that the weather forecast showed rain and thunderstorms. We prayed and asked God for a good weather. In Carpatian mountains rapidly changing weather, when the bright sun for a few minutes, replaced by rain or chilly wind. During a thunderstorm, there is a danger of people lightning discharges. Also not recommended to climb to Hoverla those, who have heart and lung disease and physically unprepared. There were situations, when people died from a heart attack :(

And so we got up early in the morning, after praying together, reading the Bible, and a delicious breakfast, we hit the road. We had to walk about four kilometers (2,49 miles).At the beginning the trail led through the forest.We gradually gaining altitude.

Often met purling streams and rivers

A little gaining height, feel terribly thirsty. We were so happy to find on the path of the springs, where you can wash, freshen up, drink some water and continue the path. Undoubtedly, we had water with us as we know how important it is to drink water while lifting up the mountain.

Coming out of the forest seemed a mountain on which we had to climb, then next mountain, and only then was our goal, Hoverla. You can see the path and on it can see the people. This is what we had to pass.

Wow! Guys were so excited!

We are slowly and gradually gained altitude and it seems someone started visibly tired. Vadim hugged each pillar on the road. We all laughed :)))

But the higher you go...

all the more amazing and incredible view opens.

And then we saw the snow! Hooray! Snow! Among the hot sunny day, snow!The most daring and who still had strength, went down, which would touch the snow in the summer.

Kolya, was overjoyed, he jumped on the rocks, running.

Sasha and Vadim played snowballs with those, who remained on top.

Well, I went down to take a picture of flowers. :)The young people froliced fun playing snowballs. It's so unusual and fun to play in the snow in the summer!

After a few pictures on the rocks, where a magnificent view, we have gone further.

Still had a long road. It seems so close up, but to go so far...From this place it took us about 1.5 hours to climb.

And here it began...There have already come to an end strength, you feel terrible fatigue, no strength to walk any more, legs hurt, terribly thirsty and drink.It seems that you never reach the goal.

Look at the face Yaroslava!Oh, my!That's so funny! I did not pay attention recording the video. But in the evening, when we viewed all the photos and videos, we laughed out loud, and it was fun to remember all of our adventures. And look at the breathtaking view! It's amazing! :)

Someone has already begun to crawl rather than walk from powerlessness. Ha ha!

Yaroslava surrender. "I want to sleep. I will sleep here and wait for you. I will not come by there." She repeated constantly. Yaroslava come on! You can! ;)

Finally after 3 hours climbing under the scorching sun, we reached the top!Yay!I tried to memorializing the beauty from the top of the mountain to record the video. But there were so many people! It's incredible!

The beauty simply fascinating! I want to spend the whole day there and never come down :)

The smell of herbs is simply amazing!

We took thermoses with hot tea. Since all were pretty hungry. It was so great to drink hot sweet tea and eat sandwiches! Mmm. This gave much strength and inspiration. At least  it gave me the strength and energy. :)

And I went around the mountains to make pictures.This is other side of the mountain.

Spending some time, I returned and saw this picture :))) So funny!!!

All pretty tired and wanted to relax. Well, who does not want to relax after a long and grueling journey? Breathing the fresh mountain air and the heady flavor of herbs? ;) It seems only me, crazy running around and making pictures. Because I knew we had limited time. :)

We started to go down while continuing to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

It is a natural, beautiful and the best flower carpet in the world! You fall down and not wish to stand up.  It's so soft! Just unbelievable! Our God is amazing and the greatest master in the world creating such beauty!

Having quite a distance. The mountain was already behind. Yaroslava remembered that she had forgotten the water on the mountain. "Oh no, it can not be!" we said. "Oh, no, I will not go back, I'm tired." the poorgirl said. I realized how important water is, because the sun beating down terribly and exhausting. And to go to the forest, where the streams and the rivers, it was still very far away. I still had the strength and energy. So, I decided to go back and ran up. After a short time, I gave back the water for Yaroslava. :)

I was thrilled! I was full of strength and energy! I could again go through the same path as we went on Hoverla! When I told everyone about it, I was told that I`m crazy. Ha ha! But I felt a surge of energy! I ran and jumped on the rocks. All the people looked at me like I was crazy. lol. Honestly, I do not know what helped me. Maybe because I always drink a lot of water? Maybe because I walk a lot? Or some other reason? But I was so happy and elated! I thank God for strength and health! 

Here began the most difficult steep descent. It seems someone`s feet has begun to hurt :) This is the heaviest stone slope. Because tired, aching legs and trembling with tension. It is very easy to injure the leg on the stone or break it. Come on, Sasha! You can do it! ;)

The guys continued to rejoice and enjoy the beauty.

If you look closely. On the right photo shows a waterfall, 80 meters high. Where  begins one the longest rivers in the Carpathians, the Prut.

Finally we came to the forest! It was much cooler and easier.

How we were glad to see the water! Oh, water! Water! we shouted :) Refreshed and drink plenty of cold and crystal clear water, we were able to continue our journey.

The interesting thing is that we took a raincoats in case of rain and thunderstorms. But instead, it was unbearably hot sun! We all laughed when returned home, we found that all looked like boiled crawfish, red color. Hands, neck,  face, badly sunburned. You will not believe! But the next day we could not find a cream from sunburn!  No one pharmacy! For 2 days the sun burned so that people have bought up all the cream from sunburn! 

All the young people were overjoyed and thrilled by trip! But the next day Sasha Kozak could not walk. He quickly ran forward no shore power. Everyone was laughing by his funny walk and steps :)))

We all had a wonderful and glorious time! Everyone were delighted and long shared impressions.We are so grateful to a sweet family from U.S., who blessed the young people to have such amazing and unforgettable renewal! All were so happy and no one wanted come back home :) The young adults learned alot from the Bible, we prayed and read the Word of God together. We lived together like one big family. And it was an amazing time!Our Heavenly Father was so very good to us during the journey! Our thanks never ending for this awesome and great retreat for the young men!To God be the glory!!!!