Mbeya Peak- We did IT!!!

 

We flew into Mbeya on the morning of January 9 and were warmly greeted by Melvin and Anna Kauffman and lovely fresh mountain air. They took us to a retreat center where the team from the Ivuna mission was spending some time together. As we pulled into the driveway, Anna mentioned that there is a group planning to hike a sizeable peak here in the area today, namely,  Mbeya Peak. We later discovered that this is the highest in the area. She thought perhaps we'd be up to joining them? Well, now who would pass up that kind of adventure-promising expedition? Melvin was quick to point out the actual mount that we would be climbing to give us a shocking jolt into reality I suppose. :)

   We were introduced to the wonderful clan at the retreat and joined them for breakfast before heading out. A very suitable fare for what lay ahead of us - oatmeal- was served. We would need every single morsel of energy it provided!
   And so we were off... knowing so extremely little of what lay ahead of us. It's been said "Ignorance is Bliss" for a reason!
   Folks that had mostly been strangers just a short while earlier, soon became dear comrades as we all bonded around the common goal of journeying to the TOP!




We rather quickly discovered how terribly out of shape we were since we hadn't done anything very taxing at all in the a little more than a week since we had been in Africa. Most of our feet were clad in only flip-flops which definitely isn't the perfect choice but you can make anything work in Africa, right?! I personally decided that going just barefoot would be just as good or better than the flip-flops. Let's just say that my feet will probably always have a special connection with Tanzanian soil.:)

They are currently in the prime of rainy season here which provides pros and cons. One of the pros being the deep lush green of all manner of plant life surrounding us as we began ascending on what was mostly a narrow donkey trail most of the way. Every so often we would catch a small glimpse of the peak that we hoped to arrive on. There was also a generous amount of clouds that kept this peak of an elevation of 8,391 feet hidden from view most of our trek upward.

It was delightful to refill our water bottles at fresh mountain springs along the path. And of course, the opportunity to rest was always welcomed with gladness.

   Back to the pros and cons about rainy season I mentioned earlier. Yes, you guess it. Along came the rain that we really were not well prepared for. A few shawl-type coverings called konga's and a  jacket or two provided some protection for a few of us but mostly we just got wet; no, drenched.

   Many desperate prayers were sent heavenward to stop the rain and bring some sunshine out again. Before long a spacious patch of blue sky was spotted and we cheered.

 

The hike is estimated to take approximately three and one-half hours to the peak and we added about another hour and a-half to that estimation. Not the best record ever by a long shot; but nonetheless, this would definitely go down as an accomplishment when all was said and done!

   As the ascent continued, we met many flocks of sheep, and herds of goats and cattle grazing on the grassy slopes. It was decided that a break and devouring some of the awesome American snacks we had packed was in order before scrambling up the remaining distance to the top. What little energy that was left was mostly expended in those last number of yards. And, ALAS we were THERE! At the top! We had unbelievably fulfilled our goal!

Mbeya Peak

   God so graciously answered prayer and allowed the clouds to vanish for a few minutes to provide some of the most breathtaking views my eyes ever lay sight on. My heart just soared in worship to the Creator of such awe-striking beauty. Such a great reward for the long and weary journey to reach this point. If we experience that kind of satisfaction and fulfillment in completing a simple mountain hike, can we even begin to get a foretaste of how our hearts will dance when we enter heaven at the end of our life's journey and hear our Father say, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?!

 

The clan! L to R- Warren Eshelman, Zack Lapp, Carolyn Lapp, Hannah Lapp, Ben Lapp, Teresa Coblentz, Lora, myself, and Deb. (Missing, Rachel and Rebekah Oberholtzer who didn't go quite the whole way to the top)

After spending some time just soaking up the beauty and reveling in the wonder of this accomplishment, we began the downward trek. Climbing a constant uphill isn't at all easy, but neither is treading downhill. Surely I'm not old enough to experience such joint pain :(.

   One of the other really neat things included in the views were all the many little villages nestled high up in the mountains.

   The trail was quite slick in some places resulting in some unfortunate falls:(. And to add the perfect ending to our venture, it began to rain again and lasted through the duration of the hike. My personal supply of optimism kept decreasing until it was basically non-existent. Pole, pole! (Swahili for sorry)

Banana leaves work decently well as an umbrella :)

The good news is that we DID survive and eventually reached the vehicle, quite soaked and aching. We headed back to the retreat center and were even afforded an African luxury of hot water to cleanse and warm us up and a yummy supper.

   This cost of this adventure had turned out to be considerably more than we counted for but we definitely did not regret it. We concluded it was indeed a very memorable celebration for our first day in Tanzania. :)

   We are so grateful for y'all's interest, support, and especially prayers as we continue to travel.

God is so good and we feel very rich with many wonderful experiences already! Lora and I plan to leave Mbeya and travel back to the village of Ivuna where Deb is on Thursday. We will be there till next Wednesday and then return to Mbeya to catch our flight to Dar and the ferry to Zanzibar. Adios!

The three African musketeers, happy to have experienced yet another adventure- together!