Tammy's hike in the Grand Canyon didn't go as expected, but it went exactly how God planned.
The following is Tammy’s testimony from Rim2Him, Revelation Wellness’ annual fundraising hike in the Grand Canyon.
Training for the Grand Canyon
Hike across the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in one day?!
I couldn’t imagine it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it either.
So, when Rim2Him sign-ups were available, I registered immediately.
Rim2Him is a one-of-a-kind adventure/fundraising endurance hike from the North Rim to the South Rim (or vice versa) of the Grand Canyon, led by experienced guides (shepherds).
After signing up, I couldn’t think of much else. I began praying for strength and courage to get over my fear of heights and fear of the dark. I also asked God to teach me to trust Him and to believe that He’s got me. I started fundraising and reached my goal before the official training began.
I was ready when Rim2Him training began. Just like any Revelation Wellness program, training wasn’t just focused on physical endurance. Each week’s training included Scripture-based soul care, support and accountability from the guides, and fellowship with other hikers.
Time to Hike
When the big day arrived, the trip to the Grand Canyon became a family affair. Traveling across the country and seeing the sights with my husband, sister, and brother-in-law was a huge blessing.
Upon arriving, I met my roommates and the rest of the team. The hikers were split into two groups, South to North and North to South. Watching the South to North hikers begin their hike was a real treat. It was even a bigger treat to cheer on and encourage a hiker that needed to turn back. I talked with her on the North Rim later that day. I told her how proud I was of her for being able to turn back. I knew that required her to let go of her pride. I wasn’t sure if I could do the same thing in that situation.
The next morning, it was my turn to get started on the trail. The morning of the hike, I felt good. We started hiking at 5:15 a.m., wearing headlamps for light and bundling up for the 43 degrees Fahrenheit air. We moved at a good pace, even in the dark.
My fear of the dark and heights had little effect on me during this journey. I realize my prayers have been answered. (Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go). Though the elevation is close to 8,000 feet, you can’t see how high you are when you step onto the trail in the dark.
When we hiked down to our first rest area, the trail was bright enough to shut off our headlamps. Some hikers even shed a layer. After a break, we continued down the trail. We went through the Supai Tunnel and praised the Lord while passing through it. Then, we crossed a wooden bridge to the other side of the North Rim Canyon wall.
The trail is very technical. It demands your concentration to avoid donkey dung, big and little rocks, short step downs, and big step downs. I loved every bit of it. The feeling of joy was overwhelming. I gave praise to the Lord with each step I took. I was made for this.
Up, down, around corners, switchback after switchback. If you’ve been there, you know.
Facing Disappointment
We were approaching Manzanita Resthouse approximately 6 miles down the canyon when my day changed. I fell and severely sprained my left ankle. Initially, I couldn’t put weight on it. One of the shepherds quickly helped me to Manzanita Resthouse, then down to Manzanita Creek to soak my ankle.
Before going to the creek, a fellow hiker looked at my ankle. The assessment was a severe sprain. Elizabeth and another hiker prayed for my healing. Tyler, the lead shepherd, asked me what the pain level was. I told him an 8. What he didn’t know was that I have a high tolerance for pain. So, this was bad.
I knew in my heart I would not be able to hike to Bright Angel Trailhead (18 miles away). Oh, the disappointment was heartbreaking. But here is where Jesus showed His face to me.
He had been asking me to TRUST HIM. I even had the word TRUST written on my left leg, JESUS written on my left arm, and PURPOSE written on my right arm.
Here was my opportunity to truly “Trust in the Lord with all [my] heart and lean not on [my] own understanding, in all [my] ways SUBMIT to HIM and he will make [my] path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The purpose of Rim2Him for me was to trust Jesus because He had me and He was going to get me out of the canyon.
Trusting God's Strength, Not My Own
From even before the minute I signed up for R2H, Jesus proved to me that HE’S GOT ME! I can TRUST HIM. I knew right then that the PURPOSE of Rim2Him for me was to TRUST JESUS BECAUSE HE HAD ME AND HE WAS GOING TO GET ME OUT OF THE CANYON.
Erin Scheu, my shepherd, took over my care while the other shepherds and fellow Rim2Him hikers continued on down the trail. Erin dried and wrapped my ankle. She prayed over me. I was so emotional. No, I was crushed in spirit, and Erin knew it. Erin showed me tough but gentle love. She made me look her in the eye and listen to her. Erin told me that Jesus did not lead me to the Canyon to crush me. Jesus brought me there so I could lean into Him. There was no room for pride.
Like a sheep led by the Shepherd, I got up to follow Erin out of the Canyon.
After my ankle was wrapped pretty tight, I was able to bear weight on my ankle. I had no choice but to turn and face the North Rim wall that I had just descended 6 miles and go back up. How in the world was I going to hike back out of this canyon? I knew how – THROUGH JESUS’ STRENGTH.
It took me 3 hours to hike down to Manzanita Resthouse. With the help of Jesus reassuring my soul and giving me the strength and courage I had never known before, and encouragement from the R2H team, I continued to move up the trail one step at a time.
We made it to the North Kaibab Trailhead 6 hours later.
It has been a week since I descended into the depths of the Grand Canyon. I have been tending to my emotions and a sprained ankle. I wanted to complete the hike from rim to rim. I also wanted to have a Jesus moment. This year, I couldn’t have both.
I didn’t get to finish Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. However, I did complete my real assignment of RIM 2 HIM, which is much more important!!
The Impact of Revelation Wellness
Tammy may not have hiked from rim to rim, but the training and trial brought her closer to Him in a way she had never experienced before. In a way that only wilderness trips and even workouts can do.
This is one of many R2H testimonies sharing the spiritual and physical impact of Revelation Wellness programs and events on individuals and communities.
Revelation Wellness provides practices and training for people who want to God and follow Jesus with their whole hearts. A wholehearted faith with a burning love for Jesus is the point of our training and practices. The practices are not the point of what we do. Jesus is. The practices lead people to His presence, as Tammy and thousands of others have experienced.
Join Us On Mission
God has called Revelation Wellness to share the love of Jesus worldwide through physical and mental health practices. But without you, this mission can not continue.
Because you play such an essential role in this mission, we want to be transparent with you about the current financial needs of the ministry. Overall, charitable giving has drastically decreased across the board in the non-profit sector since 2021. While this is not encouraging news, we know God will sustain what He desires, and He has also called us to be obedient in asking for partners like you to invest in this mission.
Would you be willing to donate today, whether a single gift or a recurring donation? We are so grateful for your continued support, and we pray that YOU are experiencing the love of Jesus in your heart, mind, soul, and body today.
Experience Rim2Him
Do you feel a call to adventure and a desire to experience the presence of God in a tangible way through nature? Then join us in hiking the Grand Canyon in one day, and experience God’s power, presence, and love for you!
Rim to Him is a one-of-a-kind adventure/fundraising endurance hike where you will come to know more deeply that with God, all things are possible!
