We are so close!!
Our group started out this morning and hiked seven hours to 15,500 feet and we have landed at Kibo Hut.
We will eat a very light dinner and go to bed around 5:00 pm but I anticipate that we probably won’t sleep much – we’re way too excited and hyped up about making it to the summit.
We will then get up at 11:00 pm and start toward the summit at midnight (which is 5:00 pm Eastern time). We are scheduled to reach the summit at 9:00 am Tanzanian time (again, 2:00 am Eastern time).
Last night shared communion as a group and two of our guides, Freddy and Ellee, joined us. When we finished we sang “How Great is Our God” – it was awesome.
Both Tom and I have been coveting your prayers and we ask that you continue to keep our entire group – climbers, guides, and sherpas – in your prayers, especially today from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am Eastern time (for those of you that just happen to be up in the middle of the night!). We have a very long climb and the temperatures will be sub-zero.
We are going to concentrate on just putting one foot in front of the other.
Stay tuned…
Greg,
I came across a verse I thought might interest you on your final climb. Mark 9:2 – “After six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.” Given that you’ll reach the summit on your sixth day in Africa and the correlation between the month and day and the chapter and verse, I thought it was pretty cool. Peter, James and John saw Christ in a whole new light on the top of that mountain. And my prayer is that you may see him in the same way on top of yours. You’re all in our prayers.
What an experience! (not that I wish I were there)
My friends asked, “How many other mountains has your brother climbed?” I tell them that this is the first, which reinforces their opinion that our family is a little odd.
Will keep praying.
–Joyce
It sounds like you guys are having the experience of a lifetime. It will be neat to check your blog in the morning and read about what the world looks like from the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. How exciting that two of your guides joined in communion, too. Good luck, stay safe, and we will all be praying for you!
Praying for all in the group. I will awake at 3:30am to get ready for work. I will first pray then think of what you are feeling at the summit. God speed.
Up and praying 11:50.
Pastor Greg, something just awoke me at 2:09 am and I know it was the Holy Spirit to allow me to pray for you and the rest of the team as you reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Enjoy the awesomeness of God’s creation as you look out from the summit and see the beauty that surrounds you!! May God continue to keep you and the team safe.
Lucia