Gikuyu, Mogai and Kere-Nyaga (Mt. Kenya)

This week while away on business on the lovely isle of St. Thomas, I started reading the book Facing Mt. Kenya by Jomo Kenyatta.  It is his account of his own Kikuyu (Gikuyu) tribe.  I found it most interesting to learn the prominent role Mt. Kenya plays in the life of this tribe.  Here are a couple excerpts I found real interesting:

"According to the (Gikuyu) tribal legend, we are told in the beginning of things, when mankind started to populate the earth, the man Gikuyu, the founder of the tribe, was called to Mogai (the Divider of the Universe), and was given as his share the land with ravines, the rivers, the forests, the game and all the gifts that the Lord of Nature (Mogai) bestowed on mankind. 

At the same time Mogai made a big mountain which he called Kere-Nyaga (Mount Kenya), as his resting place when on inspection tour, and as a sign of his wonders.  He then took the man Gikuyu to the top of the mountain of mystery, and showed him the beauty of the country that Mogai had given him.  While still on top pf the mountain, the Mogai pointed out to the Gikuyu a spot full of fig trees (mikoyo), right in the centre of the country.

After Mogai had shown the Gikuyu the panorama of the wonderful land he had been given, he commanded him to descend and establish his homestead on the selected place which he named Mokorwe wa Gathanga.  Before they parted, Mogai told Gikuyu that, whenever he was in need, he should make a sacrifice and raise his hands to Kere-Nyaga (the mountain of mystery), and the Lord of Nature will come to his assistance."

I find it really interesting to learn more and more about the wonderful country of Kenya and some of its tribal traditions and beliefs.  I've been going to Kenya now for just over two years, and am just now beginning to understand more abouts its people and rich history.

As I look forward to climbing Mt. Kenya, it seems even more appropriate that this be the mountain I climb -- lots of history, lots of lore and lots of adventure...lots of Kenya.

Why Climb A Mountain?

Last night, my wife (Melissa) asked me, "Why in the world do you want to climb a mountain?"...and it made gave me real reaso to stop and think about her question.  We didn't talk much more about it, but she did make me realize that wanting to climb Mt. Kenya is just a little bit off the beaten path of most normal people...but I think that probably is part of the answer.

I kind of have to laugh this morning about this, too.  As I sit here and write this, today is my 49th birthday.  I pretty much recognize that my life is probably past half over, but I think I still am on the ASCENT OF LIFE and really desiring to learn and grow.  I have come to learn over my 49 years that doesn't come as much for me from watching and listening and learning from others, but from going and experiencing new things on my own.  From a purely human point of view, I guess my response to the question is not "because the mountain is there to climb", but "because this is something I haven't done before in my life."

But I think more importantly there is a spiritual dimension to this quest that I still don't have an answer to yet.  I feel over the last couple of years with my involvement and starting of the Jubilee Village Project, God has called me to a new mountain in my own personal life transformation.  I have really just begun a new ascent in life that is of greatest significance to my life and the life of many others on two different continents.  Two years into this very serious "spiritual life trek", I know God is calling us forward to climb a mountain He has set before us.

So somehow I see this climb as maybe being an intersection of two different paths of my life -- the intersection of 1) a human being hitting mid-life (my kids may say I am already "over the hill") and looking for a new adventure in life 2) a spiritual being and follower of Jesus just beginning to experience the abundant life and this is just a trek God has called me to take right now.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  - Psalm 119:105

Why Mount Kenya?

So I've got to admit I've become a little fascinated with learning more about Mount Kenya.  While Kilimanjaro is certainly the best known peak in Africa, Mount Kenya has a unique role in the history of Kenya and in the culture of some of the surrounding tribes.  The other thing I have learned is that Mount Kenya is a lot shorter than Kilimanjaro (by about 2,000 feet!) and even less crowded, so I figure it may be a good peak for me to test out my city legs and sea level lungs.

Here are some of the more technical facts of the mountain:

• Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa.
• Its highest peak, Batian, reaches 17,058 ft (5,199 m) and its second peak, Nellion, reaches 17,021 (5,188 m).  Since these are both technical climbing peaks and people actually die climbing these, I think I will pass on these twin peaks.
• Their third sister peak is Point Lenana, is the shortie of the bunch --- kind of reminds me of my middle daughter, Kelsey.  At 16,355 ft (4,985 m), she is still taller than any peak in the Lower 48 (Mt. Whitney, CA is 14,495 ft).
• The mountain falls within Mount Kenya National Park and is 180 km northeast of Nairobi. The park is made up of a protected area 3,200 m above sea level and has the distinction of being simultaneously a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve
• Though Mount Kenya is practically on the equator, it has snow and ice and even glaciers. However, in the last year the number of glaciers has dropped from 18 to only 7 that remain today.