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The Society of African Missions decided to celebrate their 150 years of serving the people of Africa in a unique way. They invited family and friends from Ireland, England, and the US to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. There were a total of 37 people who participated in the following events. However, two were not able to participate in the climb due to injuries. There were: 4 SMA priests working in Tanzania (from Ireland and Poland), SMA associates coming from Ireland, England, and the USA, and more than 30 friends from different countries in Europe. Last but not least, myself, an SMA Lay Associate from the US, also working in Tanzania.

The occasion was also celebrated in a special way by raising money for children who experience humiliation and isolation due to physical deformities from birth such as a cleft pallet or club foot. Due to diligent fundraising of the Irish/English, generous donors, and prayer, over € 60,000 (Euros) has been raised thus far. The donations are still coming in, so this number is expected to rise. All children of Tanzania, no matter what their economic situation, qualify to receive this surgery free. In this country that money will go a long way. I was shocked and excited at how much money was raised.

In addition to the fundraiser, the climb was not just about making it to the top, but about being in the spirit of SMA, celebrating all their endeavors, and, in turn, being aware of Africa and her people. In order to better enter fully into that time, the climb was also viewed as a religious pilgrimage. Each day was opened with a song, then reflection, and then prayer. The themes for the days were refugees, poverty, HIV/AIDS, street children, integrity of creation, and peace.

We all came together as a group on the 15 th of July 2006 and started the first day up Mt. Kilimanjaro on July 17 th . The first day was an easy 4 hour stroll through the rainforest to the first hut. It was a bit rainy, but the accommodations, food, and the entire hike exceeded my expectations.

The second day was around a 6-7 hour hike through the last stretch of the rainforest, then passing the Maundi crater, and then into open moorland, which reminded me of the semi desert environment like in Arizona. That evening we reached the shelter called Horombo Hut (12,487 feet high). By that point, I started to feel a bit lightheaded and acute altitude sickness started to set in.

Horombo Hut served as our base for the rest of the hike. It sat right above the clouds, which was an exhilarating feeling for me. I have only been above the clouds in an airplane. There I was above them eating, sleeping, enjoying the scenery, and the best part, star-gazing.

Day three was a day to adjust to the altitude. So we did a slow 4 hour walk up and then back down to Horombo Hut. Using this extra day is supposed to help increase your chances of making it to the top. We passed some beautiful rock formations that are called Zebra Rocks for their natural black and white striped appearance.

Days four and five are hard to separate. It was a long 7 hour hike through the moorland and then into the saddle of Kilimanjaro, which is a broad desert zone. At this point things started to get difficult. It became cold and windy and I could feel it was getting harder to catch my breath. However, I had the snow cap of Kilimanjaro to my left and then Mawenzi Peak, which I found more beautiful. After this hike, we reached Kibo Hut, the base of the mountain peak. We had dinner and rested from 7pm-12am.

At 12am we started our ascent up to the top of the mountain. In theory, you start in the middle of the night to be able to see the sunrise at the top. However, we all believed that it is a diversion to walk at night because if we would have been able to see the path they wanted us to walk, none of us would have willingly done it. It was a new experience for me to be hiking at night with a headlamp underneath a blanket of stars. I felt like I was walking on the moon with so many layers of clothes, surrounded by darkness, and nothing but rocks in all directions. Also, the fact that you were walking with a hiking stick and experienced more difficulty breathing made it more moon-like.

I reached the top of the mountain called Gilman's Point (18,696 feet) around 8am, so I missed the sunrise from the top. However, I saw it from almost the top, and it just looked like any old sunrise from an airplane. At Gilman's, I was hungry, completely exhausted, cold, and lightheaded. Despite all that, I decided to hike another grueling 2 hours to Uhuru Peak (19,336 feet). I made it to the top, based on pure determination, although I have to admit I couldn't fully appreciate where I was because of all the previous problems.

Then the descent was another grueling process. I made it back to Kibo Hut around 11:30am. I had a half hour nap, ate lunch, and then walked another 4 hours back to our base camp Horombo.

Then the sixth day was the final descent through the moorland and rainforest.
A total of 16 people made it to the peak Uhuru, which means freedom in Kiswahili, while another 13 made it to the top of the mountain at Gilman's point. It was, physically, the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I am very proud to have made it to the top.

Then the following day after the climb, we went to a small Masai village outside the city of Arusha for a huge SMA 150 celebration. This Mass was the highlight of my entire trip, and one the most, if not the most, touching spiritual experience of my life. There were four special choirs and so many participants that people had to stand outside the church. The Archbishop of Arusha attended the Mass along with many SMAs, other missionaries, and diocesan priests. The singing, prayers, and homily were all beautiful. At the end of Mass, the local elders of the church called all the SMAs in front of the church to receive a traditional blessing. I was so nervous and excited I didn't know how to conduct myself. I mean, can you imagine what it would feel like standing in front of these old, powerful, men sprinkling water on us, praying over us in a chanting way in a language we don't understand with the whole church responding?

That evening, we camped outside the gates of Ngorongoro Crater and had an Irish sing-along, which was a lot of fun. Then, the following day was an exciting day in the crater seeing all of Africa's wild animals in one small space. The crater is home to lions, rhinos, hippos, flamingos, wildebeest, and so many more animals. It is 2001 feet wide (92.66 square miles) and a fascinating place for people who love science because of how it was formed and why there are so many animals.

This was an experience of a lifetime. I am honored and proud to have participated in all of these events, and also feel renewed in my ministry and life. It was also a joy meeting all of the family and friends of the SMA.

Love and prayers, Jen