I almost died this past summer!

That’s not just click-bate…it’s true.

In August, my family and I were deep in the Peruvian Andes, hiking cross-country through the mountains. Even at 16,000 ft., glacier-covered peaks still towered above us. We were way off the grid—no roads, no trail, no signal, and no quick way out if something went wrong.

In the truest sense, it was an adventure.

But as we climbed over a nearby mountain pass, something went very wrong. While scouting a way down the mountain, I stepped onto a rocky ledge…

The stone gave way…

And suddenly I was in a free-fall—twisting, flipping, and crashing down the mountainside.

The impact was brutal.

When I finally hit bottom and opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was an enormous Andean condor circling directly overhead. If you’re not familiar with condors, they eat dead things! 

Not a great sign.

But here’s the miracle in that moment:

Of all the countless ways I could have landed, I landed in the one position that let me live to tell the tale. The impact could have broken my neck, crushed my skull, or even ended my life—but instead, I landed flat on my back, cushioned by the giant pack I was wearing.

Nevertheless, I was still hurt—concussion, whiplash, bloody lacerations, broken thumb, and a busted up right leg. 

So now for the real challenge…dragging my broken body out of the mountains.

If you want to read the full story and discover what this has to do with discipling kids (trust me, it does!), you can click the button below to read the opening chapter of my new book, Feeding Faith.

(I’ve also included some extra freebies!)

Then, when the book launches, you can read chapter 2 to find out how the rescue unfolded. But here’s a teaser: 

It involved…

• 2 cops
• 3 nurses
• 1 innkeeper
• 5 guapo muchachos
• 1 horse
• 1 donkey
• And the US State Department

Needless to say, I’m glad to be back in the land of the living.

And just for the record: Condor: 0. David: 1.