Years ago we used to bombard our children with presents on Christmas Day. Within a month’s time most of their “I-neeed” or “I-want” items would be found buried in the bottom of the toy box…forgotten, never to be played with again. Then we discovered the gift of experiences. And while our kids enjoy receiving presents as much as the next, it is the special outings and spur-of-the-moment vacations they cherish and talk about for years afterwards. So to take full advantage of our one and only warm Hawaiian Christmas, we went ZIPLINING for our special activity this holiday season.

I’m not sure who was more excited about our plans, myself or the kids. Ever since we first arrived in Hawaii at the end of July, I had been impatiently waiting for the ziplining companies to reopen after their initial closures due to Covid. I had begun to wonder if any of them would reopen before we left the island, but as luck would have it, November 15th was the magic number. We purchased tickets for “The Umauma Experience” and surprised the kids with a Christmas Eve adventure!

The highlights advertised for “The Umauma Experience” included zipping across 2 miles of scenic terrain on 9 different lines, 14 waterfalls, and a suspension bridge, with the added bonus of panoramic Pacific Ocean views. While all of that sounded amazing, there was just one more variable, the weather. (The windward side of the island receives up to 140 inches of rain yearly.) However, the morning of, we had nothing but gorgeous weather and sunshine!

The check-in process was easy and before we knew it we were harnessed up, loaded into a van, and on our way to our first zipline. (Annabelle appreciated that despite the size of the grounds there was very little walking that had to be done. After all, we wouldn’t want to have to physically exert ourselves or anything!) Sam started second guessing his participation in our family fun as he caught sight of how tall the ziplines were. We had to remind him that he had gone ziplining once before when he was only three years old and had practically pushed everyone out of the way to be first in line.

Speaking of first, “Ka Maka” was the name of Line #1-a nice little warm up across a grassy field; not overly tall and you couldn’t have fallen to your death even if you tried. (This made Sam feel better.) But then came Line #2…a harrowing, 1700 foot long, tandem racing line where you zip across at record speeds. Line# 4, the signature zip of the entire course, was 2200 feet long and crossed directly over the Umauma Stream. The scenery was breathtaking, with waterfalls flowing into the deep, lava rock gorge below, as we sailed across the lush tree tops of the rainforest. Being the longest of the lines, Ben and Sam were both warned to “tuck and zip” so they wouldn’t get stuck. However, both had to be “rescued” once or twice along the course, as they slowed to a stop before reaching the platforms. Besides the beautiful views, Abby’s favorite part of the experience was the music as the guides had the best mix of classic rock playing on their portable radios. By the time we crossed over the suspension bridge, everyone had forgotten their fears and Sam even zipped upside down for the last few lines. The final line, #9 takes you across the triple-tiered waterfalls of Umauma and lands you safely back on the platform near the visitor center.

That evening as Dave and I discussed the events of the memorable day, we both came to the same revelation. Sam had initially been all but terrified to zipline. The lines looked daunting and he feared for his safety. He only ventured out on that first line, because his parents, whom he trusted, reassured him it would be ok. But then, his faith grew in the safety of his equipment, the harness, the lines, and the guides. By the end of the course, all fear was gone and he was hanging upside down enjoying his carefree zips across gorges and waterfalls hundreds of feet below. In that hour and a half, nothing had changed about Sam’s situation, other than his faith. What a great lesson! We cannot always change our circumstances, but when we let go of fear and grab ahold of faith, God can give us peace that is beyond comprehension.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4: 6-7