WHY I CLIMB

This is why I climb... for little guys like Victor Omullo.

Victor was the very first baby to receive vaccinations in the Kager Medical Dispensary...vaccination only made possible after JVP helped bring electricity and refigeration to the Dispensary.

And the Climb To End Poverty will only make more programs like KEPI Immunization possible for all the children of Kager village.

With the expanded medical clinic, not only will the Clinic be able to expand the breadth of its health services, it will also be able to extend its reach to many, many kilometers past the village itself.

"PUT ME DOWN FOR TWO PENNIES"

One of the cool things about this Climb is that I'm not only seeing God move in my heart, but I see him moving in the hearts of others.  Last night, I received this e-mail from my buddy Steve from church:

"Ned, during the sermon the other week, God told me to sponsor you for an extra penny a foot.  I have been slow to get back to you, but the JVP newsletter prompted me to write to you.  Please put me down for a total of 2 cents per foot and have fun with your climb."

 

It just touched my heart to receive this and made me think about what I've been studying in the Gospel of John this week:

 

"You are my friends if you do what I command (e.g. Love each other as I have loved you 15:12)"

 

John 15:13

 

It's so awesome to have friends that are friends of God, too.  Thanks Steve for being the man God made you.

ITINERARY FOR THE CLIMB

So I will be climbing (trekking) Mt. Kenya with a guide, a porter and a cook.  We will be following the Chogoria-Point Lenana-Sirimon Route which starts in the east and ends in the west and is said to be the most scenic and diverse route.

Day 1 - Drive to Chogoria from Nairobi and 4 x 4 / hike to Mt Kenya Bendas (9,514 feet)

Day 2 - Mt Kenya Bendas to Lake Ellis Camp (11,811 feet)

Day 3 - Lake Ellis to Mintos Camp -- great views of the Gorges Valley (13,780 feet)

Day 4 - Pre-dawn summit to Point Lenana (16,355 feet) and then down to Old Moses Camp (10,287 feet)

Day 5 - Final descent to Sirimon Park gate and back to Nairobi

Had my longest training walk today in the 90 degree heat of Indiana -- 70 minutes and I was beat.  My new Keen hiking boots are broken in -- I need to get my backpack, sleeping bag and trekking poles ordered tonight.  Need to start walking with 20 pounds of water soon.