Day 10 : Market and Farewell Dinner

Journal #1

Sleep. Real beds, real sheets and pillows. Hot showers. More sleep. There was no knock knock tea Monday morning. Each of us rolled into breakfast on our own schedule and, once again, Mount Meru hotel did not disappoint. Breakfast was lush with bacon, omelettes, fruit, toast, croissants, jam, hot dishes of meat and vegetables and real coffee. 

Conversation was a little less animated than before the mountain, but there was a familiarity among us that made sitting quietly seem intimate.  And then we did the most American thing. We went shopping.

The market was an experience of colors and voices. “Please madam” “Hello sir” “please come see my shop”. Although a little overwhelmed, we got accustomed to the rhythm of “the deal” and everyone came away with presents for those back home as well as some for ourselves. Bouncing back to the hotel in the van, we had a little show and tell before drifting back to our rooms for rest and more showers before meeting for our final dinner together. 

Back in the van, we headed to the Arusha Coffee Bar restaurant. Two long tables were set outside under a wall-less pavilion, lamp lit. The temperature was mild and the air was fresh.   It is difficult to sum up a week like the one we had just had, but each of us gave it a try. As each one stood and tried to express what was in their heart, there were plenty of tears and laughter and nods of agreement. The love between spouses and friends was expressed as was the determination to take what we had learned back home with us. Most of us agreed that we would continue to process these thoughts, feelings and realizations for a long time to come. 

We are a group of individuals with some things in common , but in many ways our lives are very different. But the common theme of Jesus runs through all of us. The Holy Spirit in each of us binds us together and that’s what made this entire experience MUCH more than just climbing a big mountain. So so so MUCH more.

Eventually the time came to say goodbye. And though difficult, it was okay. Our attitudes have changed. Our view of who we are and what we can accomplish has changed. And our hearts are just a little bit bigger than they were before.

Pamoja Pamoja. Together Together. 

Journal Entry by Maggie

Journal #2

We did it! We made it all the way up AND all the way down the mountain!!! I’m sitting here at this nice hotel, post hot showers, post incredible food, and I think i’m already missing the rhythm of the mountain ?!

Waking up to knock knock tea and incredible views… filling our souls.

Ash’s devotional and walking in silence … filling our spirits.

Camp meals and incredible hikes… filling (crushing?) our bodies.

I know it will take time to unpack all God did and said to each of us, so today I am just reflecting on how to adopt this simple rhythm into my seemingly complicated life at home. As I prayed about it this morning, God drew my thoughts to the team that helped us. the porters and guides were incredible. They went before us to prepare camp. They walked beside us, always to encourage, advise, offer rest, offer to lighten our load, humbly leading us and teaching us. They remained behind us to send us off and pack up and clean up. I don’t know why it took me until today to realize this, but we can have this EVERY day of our lives. Jesus offers us this same sweet support.

Psalm 139 (Message Version)

“I’m an open book to you; even from a distance you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too — your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful, I can’t take it all in!”

I’m so thankful for this adventure and for this group that now feels like a family. One more day together and I’m savoring every moment. Pamoja, Pamoja!

Journal Entry by Lauren Edens

Journal #3

REFLECTIONS & CLOSING THOUGHTS ON THE TRIP

And just like that, it is over. The trip anyway. But the memories made, relationships built, bonds formed, and the lessons learned on the mountain, those will remain. Forever.

Our hearts, made tender and soft by our individual and collective experiences, are returning home having been stamped and imprinted with a renewed sense of freedom.

Our bodies, humbled and broken by our shared struggle, are regaining the strength that was depleted in delivering us to the summit and are showing signs of healing.

Our spirits, tested, tried, and tempted at times to give in, to give up, and give themselves over to the forces of resistance faced along our journey, are lifted to new heights that cannot be measured in kms.

We moved up the mountain. Our way was Slowly, Slowly. Together, Together. In local speak, Pole, Pole. Pomoja, Pomoja. Oh how sweet the sound.

The mountain most definitely moved us. We shared meals, tears, laughs. We joined together in singing and dancing. We even embraced silence. Each and every step we took represented an offering, only to be exchanged for what we were offered in return. The Machame route afforded our senses the opportunity to be fully engaged. The mountain very generous in that way. And as Frank Bishop so aptly noted on our final evening together, God surely loves diversity. Thank you, Jesus. Praise you, Jesus.

So while the mountain itself didn’t move, we did indeed move mountains. For some, just getting to the base seemed like a small miracle. The way was paved with much planning, preparation, and perhaps sweating all the many details. God provided. All the way to the top.

The guides and porters were such a beautiful picture of Gods goodness, grace, and loving kindness towards us. They truly were the hands and feet of Jesus. How humbling it was to be served in that way. It was such an honor and privilege getting to know them along the journey. I am proud to now count some of them as brothers and friends.

The chorus of testimonies on our final evening together out on the patio of the Coffee Lodge were like a sweet symphony. One that could only be conducted by God. Who else could take a complete group of strangers from across the globe, and by trips end, turn their hearts toward each other in such a transformative way?

Surely He was with us, showing us the way.

He is the way.

Journal Entry by Zac Long