Sep
1
Written by:
Mike Conaway
9/1/2008
Greg’s call from Day Three came through. We were not able to get a Day Two update, so Day Three was combination of the two days.
They anticipate peeking approximately 33 hours from the time this message was called in. That should be approximately 12:00 AM Tuesday, Tanzania time.
He was calling from their camp at 12,000 feet high. The first night they camped at 9,000 feet.
He was happy to report that all is well! They had hiked to 14,000 feet to see Zebra rock and then back to 12,000 for the night. A team member has been battling sickness, but happy to report that team member is doing better.
It has been a great team effort to this point particularly with their team of Porters. A sad moment was during their hike from camp 1 to camp 2 they past by three memorials to Porters who had died. These Porters had been carrying loads that were too heavy, rain set in and they succumbed to exhaustion and hypothermia.
This memorial really points out the importance of us needing other to help carry our loads at times. Galatians 6 tells us to carry each other’s burdens and that we should yoke up with Jesus and let Him help share the load. That was very clear to them today as they hiked past these memorials.
At the end of the daily hike they were entertained by their Porters who shared some traditional African singing and dancing, they enjoyed the performance and felt that their spirits and morale had been lifted. He mentioned the blessing they have with their guide Freddie and all the assistant guides that are helping them on this hike.
We lost our connection at this point, but the call was a blessing and brought to life the climb they are on together. It is a true example of why we need small groups and why we do small groups at HCC.
No one should be alone in their climb, be it Mt. Kilimanjaro or the climb of life that we attempt each and every day!
Stay tuned… more updates tomorrow.
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5 comments so far...
Re: Mt. Kilimanjaro - Day 2
I really appreciate these blogs and the chance to hear how it's going with the guys. It sounds like they are doing well and as a small group are going to have a life-long experience to remember. Ya know, I feel the same way about our small group. It is such an honor to have firends that we can climb our difficult "mountains" of life with and know that we will always remember those who walked with us as we laughed, cried and celebrated our lives together.
By Interested Adventurer on
9/1/2008
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Re: Mt. Kilimanjaro - Day 2
I agree, thanks for sharing the blogs and thank you for offering small groups. I do not know what I would do if it were not for my small group when I have "life's mountains" to climb. Many times I would have given up, if it were not for the the prayers and support of my group.
By HCC Life Grouper on
9/1/2008
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Re: Mt. Kilimanjaro - Day 2
WOW! reading these blogs makes me feel like I am right there with the group. We have been attending Heritage for some time but have never plugged into a group, but we are considering giving them a chance this fall. After the sermon yesterday, talking to others who have shared their experiences and then reading how this Mt. Kilimanjaro hike is so relational to small groups, I feel we need to have the same kind of group around us. Thank you for sharing your stories and thank you for offering small groups.
By Regular Attender on
9/1/2008
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Re: Mt. Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Thanks Mike for blogging Greg's experience. It's really great to be able to share this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Thanks to you as well Greg for taking the time to report in. What a terrific showing of love for your church to do such a thing. We are so grateful for your leadership, Greg. Great job to you as well Mike.
By Life Group Leader on
9/1/2008
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Re: Mt. Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Thanks for the updates, we are praying for the group of guys and for the remainder of Greg's sabbatical. We will all be glad when Greg is back, we've missed him.
By Prayer Warrior on
9/1/2008
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