In the East African country of Tanzania lies a great plain known as the Serengeti. In the midst of that vast stretch rises the solitary mountain Kilimanjaro. It’s the highest point in all of Africa, 19,340 feet. The mountain stands alone with a commanding presence as far as the eye can see. Despite being on the equator, it’s peak is permanently snow covered because it’s so cold at those high altitudes.
Our founder Terri Williams and our California Director Anne Silcher are embarked on a mission to climb Kilimanjaro this February. They made their decision, set a goal, and have never strayed from achieving their purpose.
They have been training for some time now. They are hopeful that they are physically and mentally ready to make the climb next month. Yet they are concerned about the high altitude’s thinning oxygen and what impact that will have on them. About 20% of those who train for this climb, despite being in good physical condition, experience altitude sickness due to their personal physiology and aren’t able to make the summit.
Why are they doing this?
Terri and Anne’s purpose for doing this is to raise funds for the village of Mgadla in rural Zimbabwe. The villagers there are in need of a school building. There are some 300 children there who aren’t able to attend a school because of no place to assemble and learn. Yet these villagers are determined to complete a school someday for their children. They just don’t have access to a consistent source of resources to complete the project.
There’s a parallel here between Terri and Anne’s determination to summit and the resolve of these villagers to complete a school for their children. Both are set upon a goal with strong dedication.
Mains’l Mission Teams 8 & 9 have been to Mgadla. They brought with them some of the older children from Ethandweni to join in with the villagers to construct their school brick by brick. The people of this village have never given up. What Terri and Anne raise will go toward construction materials to help complete the project. This will complement a portion of the funds that you have so graciously dedicated to this region.
I don’t write this as a call for additional funding. Rather I write this to celebrate the human spirit as found within Terri and Anne and the people of Mgadla. It’s the possibility within all of us to set a long term goal and the devotion each day to reach it. I also write this to highlight humankind’s higher purpose to serve others who are in need and to provide for our future generations.
Terri and Anne have disciplined themselves to train every day. In my mind they are true Olympians. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they ascend “Kili” this February.
The musical group Toto in their hit “Africa” written back in the ‘80s said it best, “I know that I must do what’s right, sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus
above the Serengeti.”