Day 10: Final Day in Arusha

UPDATE FROM THE GROUP

“Climbing, Flying, and Making Friends”

Hi Friends! 00Jessica here! Yep, I’m the camper that had the most epic exit off the mountain at just over 13,000 ft. Apart from the incredible, very professional guides leading us, there is very little I can even begin to explain or even put into words (in English or Swahili). Heartbroken, discouraged, confused, but never scared, my body was just not working correctly. It was classic High Altitude Cerebral and Pulmonary Edema. I knew it, from my own years guiding I had all the signs that it was time to get to lower elevations. I have to be honest, so much is a blur, and frankly, I’m still attempting to unpack the first day on the Safari much less everything in between. I came for ADVENTURE! My hope was to climb Kili, but the roots of my hope was less about the mountain climbing and more about meeting new friends, supporting women leaders in Young Life, and see how Jesus is SO present everywhere. Even today, we got to visit the local Young Life Ministry and see the joy erupt from a room of young people gathering together for fun, games, songs, and a beautiful message from Beatrice, who is a Young Life Developing Global Leader, meeting kids right where they are. I’m telling you from the big 5 on the safari to the mountain experience to meeting an incredible group of believing women who love people deeply and well, I have had a GREAT ADVENTURE! Every moment of this trip with Beyond Adventures in Africa has been incredible and I have felt so cared for. There are events I may never be able to explain and I look forward to continue to process the adventure.

~ Jessica Miller