Day 5: Friday - ATM Cave

To answer your questions:
1. Yes, we went into the ATM Cave.
2. Yes, we came out of the ATM Cave.
3. Yes, the same number that went in came out!

The cave adventure was one that most will not forget.  Here is a sampling of words heard after the trip:
Awesome!
Indescribable!
One of the greatest experiences in my life.
A once in a lifetime trip.
Epic!

We rode for almost an hour over a bumpy gravel road to the parking area.  We were given helmets to carry along with our water and lunch.  We hiked through the rain forest for 45 minutes to the area at the mouth of the cave.  Along the way we had to wade across Roaring Creek 3 times.  Once at the cave we were given lights to put on our helmets and left our lunches and water behind.  The entrance to the cave   has a deep pool of water formed by the stream that flows through the cave.  After swimming 20 feet to a rock ledge we began to walk up the stream further into the cave.  Our lamps on our helmets were the only light we had.  The stream depth varied from ankle deep to chest high.  Some places the cave was wide, others you had to squeeze between rocks.  In several places the water was rushing over boulders in the stream bed.  After 30 minutes of walking upstream we climbed above the stream and took off our water shoes to explore the Mayan artifacts.

The Mayans used the cave between AD 250 - 900, venturing farther in as time passed.  It was a ceremonial cave used for religious rites that eventually included human sacrifice.  Since everything taken into the cave was consecrated, nothing was removed; so the cave is littered with pottery of all sizes.  All them were purposely broken or had a hole put in them as a part of ceremonial rites.  At some points in the cave skulls and other bones are visible.  At the end of the cave, in a niche that is reached by a ladder, is the complete skeletal remains of the "the Crystal Maiden" - probably a 14 year old girl.

In addition to the artifacts, the cave has stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and other geologic formations. All together you have a cave trip, and archaeological site, and the adventure of climbing up a stream in the cave.  It was a trip to remember.

Unfortunately, cameras have been prohibited from the cave, so no one was able to take any pictures.  Matt and I have pictures from January, and we will include them on the CD that is compiled after the trip.

One last note.  Some of the girls were in a quiet part of the cave with their guide when they began to sing "Amazing Grace."  Their voices echoed through the cave as they sang.  All those choir practices and performing has influenced our youth.  They are a blessing!

Dinner is in an hour or so - stew beef with vegetables and rice, followed by devotions and a good night's rest after our adventures.  Tomorrow is another workday; painting again at Belmopan Baptist High School.  Pray for good weather.