A journey will always begin with a single step. Depending on the motivation of the traveller, the destination will vary in distance. Any road travelled is paved with a need of focus to continue forward. No one can expect to arrive with both eyes closed. It takes purpose and a motivator to endure any road blocks along the way. "Before the mountains were formed", there was God. Our journey to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro's highest peak, Kibo brought a deep renewal within us- a refreshed vigor for the Hand of the Lord. Our climb began at 6,000 ft. and ended at 19, 340 ft. As we traveled higher up the mountain we began to see individuals carried down on stretches, held arm and arm by porters, and concern of defeat chased our thoughts. Would altitude sickness keep us from our goal of reaching the summit of Kibo...One step at a time- we continued upward on the 4 day climb of acclimating to Kibo's height.
Making a journey like this, one meets others along the way who carry the same goal in destination and wrestle with similar burdens of possible defeat. God enlightened our territory of the nations: that every traveler we met from across the world the Lord was not acknowledged in their life. By engaging in different conversations, we realized the constant thread that was missing, compared to our life, in their stories of trials, of life-was that they do not know God can orchestrate their pains into joy. Ps. 68: 19 "Praise be to God who daily bears our burdens." We were able to share our faith- our purpose and our motivator to life- with the nations represented on the mountain.
The summit climb began at midnight as our lungs started around 15,000 ft. Within 6 hours we continued upward 4,000 more ft.- Pitch black beside our head lamps and the stars and moon illuminated the first part of the path. As we rose higher, the feet in front of our view, was our guide to the top. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done, but one well worth the travel. Within 2 hours left of climbing, the summit remained in focus. The hours of devoted continuation of our step at a time were precious moments with the Lord. We were able to work as a team truly encouraging and edifying one another- a connecting adventure for us as a life committed to walk life together. These last 2 hours were engulfed entirely by the mind. Our legs became heavy bc the lack of oxygen and the one steps forward quickly felt like bricks being piled up beneath us. Prayers and communion became entirely our guide. Any influence of our own efforts thus far were fiercely pushed back. The waged war took its root in our thoughts- forcing one front in the other in order to reach the goal of the destination.
We reached the summit and darkness was our encampment. Ps. 96:6 "Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." As we turn around an orange sliver summits to meet us. Our precious sister beautifully articulated in seeing a picture of us there, "God in His purest form." An overwhelming array of emotion embraced us, and the teamwork together all seemed worth the pain endured.
Life grants the same emotion and reality; we all are travelling some path bc of a purpose in our motivation to reach a destination. Kibo will always be etched in our experiences as a rare treasure lived: to stand on top of God's splendor in creation- to be embraced by God's love and existence everlasting to everlasting.
For you who do not have facebook, we have posted some pics that you can check out:
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