Back from the mtn.

I'm back from being on top of the world!
This statement actually holds two meanings for me. Not only did I ascend to the highest hikeable point on Mt. Kenya two days ago (with safe return), but I also got to spend a week with my incredible and amazing girlfriend, Karen Hartman (also with safe return).
Karen, myself, and Robert Quiring (a random Oklahoman whom Nick and I met our first day and have become friends with) took 3 days to go up and down Mt. Kenya, and my goodness it was worth it!
The trip was, by far, the most beautiful and luxurious outdoor adventure I've ever been a part of. The first night we slept in a cave and fell asleep to he sound of a waterfall rushing just 30 ft. away. After watching the sunrise from 5000 ft. above the plain to our East, we hiked to our 2nd camp (at 14,100 ft.) and slept inside of a built shelter- plenty warm, and plenty protected from the elements.
We woke up the next morning EARLY and began hiking at 2:45 a.m. to get to the summit of Pt. Lenana. The moon was out, silhouetting the jagged peaks of Mt. Kenya, and our hike began without a bit of foreshadowing for the weather to come. After the moon went down the stars came out even more, and the Milky Way was so bright it looked like a cloud was hanging in the sky. Then the real clouds came. It started misting on us, but as we went higher, the temperature dropped, so the mist turned to snow flurries, and the mud froze, and our hands got colder. (note: Robert had a migraine this entire time. Karen and I both thankfully never felt any effects from altitude sickness!). By the time we reached the top, the wind was blowing hard and my snot sickles had become a new facial feature. However, in the minute before we climbed up onto the actual top the clouds began to clear and the sun poked itself up above in the most overwhelming solar display I've ever seen. Pictures and my own descriptions won't do the view justice, suffice it to say that the view from the top, peaking down underneath the clouds which were swirling over and around us, was the most stunning and spectacular thing I've ever seen. The valley below us was at least 3000 ft down, and further in many places, and the main peak (ascendable only with 20 pitches of technical climbing) rose over 700 ft. above us. The canyon in between us was over 1000 ft. deep, and in between us lay the largest glacier on Mt. Kenya (which is shrinking rapidly, but definitely not that morning!).
In actuality, it was so cold, and the wind was blowing so hard, that it was difficult for us to really enjoy it. We spent less than 10 minutes on top, and then completed the 9 mile round-trip hike down to our campsite BEFORE breakfast. After eating crepes, sausage, french toast, and an omelette, we hiked 10 more miles down to the park gate, where we got into an incredibly impressive landrover and made our way down to Chogoria, the town which functioned as our beginning and endpoints.
Even without the beauty this trip still rocked because I got to spend wonderful time with my wonderful girlfriend, Karen Hartman.
I took her to the airport on time yesterday, though I contemplated trying to make her late on purpose so that she'd stay here a bit longer (just kidding!). Her week here went really fast, but it was just awesome. We had a lot of time to talk, and she got to see most of the places and meet most of the people that hold significance for me here. She even met the 3 closest members of gov't to AMCC (all of which were inside of matatus).
She and I made fajitas for AMCC, hiked a freakin huge mountain, had meals with many of those who support AMCC, and got to talk lots. It was fantastic. I miss her a whole lot, but am quite glad that I'm headed to go spend 3 whole months in the same physical location as her soon.

That's right, my time in Kenya is almost over. I'm leaving AMCC on May 24th. AHHH!!! From here I'm traveling by ground to Rwanda to meet the Compassion child that my parents have been sponsoring for so long. After that event (which will last all of 1 hour, I believe) I'll head back to Kenya for 1 day (all that's left on my visa!), say a final goodbye to AMCC (though not forever!), and then head through Tanzania to Zambia. I'm hoping to pass Kilimanjaro on the way, and scoff at how uncraggy and intimidating it is compared with Mt. Kenya. I'll spend a day or two in Dar es Salaam, and then head down to Zambia (probably by train). I'm planning on arriving in Zambia around the beginning of June, though what day I do is up in the air.
All of that being said, please pray for me to remain focused and present in these last 16 days. Along with that, please ask God to provide for AMCC (again). We were supposed to start an income-generating project (aka small business venture) this week but it hasn't begun due to circumstances outside of our control. We'll run out of food again soon (early next week), so please pray that the Lord would move. We'd really like this project to work because it might create a lot of income for us. We could buy our own food, pay rent, salaries, medical bills, etc... and that would just be fantastic.
Also, pray for John, Nancy, Nick, and myself. For unity, love, and faithfulness to what the Lord has called us to. It really is something that gets lost on the whim of a moment.
I also got a package today with a whole bunch of multi-vitamins, so the kids will begin getting nutrients that the've lacked for most of their lives! Praise God!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND PRAYING!!!