100 Days From Now...

My visit to a primary school in Ghana, Africa in 2004. This is where my heart for children in Africa was stretched.

I fell in love with these children and knew my life had been forever changed.

Mt. Kili - 100 days from now we will meet for the first time. There will likely be some

blood, immeasurable amounts of sweat and undoubtably tears.

In 100 days, I will be completing my final gear check and preparing for the greatest adventure of my life. Here's hoping the jet lag will be under control, the gear securely packed, and my nerves will calm.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, here I am! (Ok, will be in 100 days)

I began this adventure in the fall of 2010 when I decided I'd go visit my friend, Christie, in Malawi. Christie has been working along side a village for the past 5 years and has seen the community develop and thrive. Originally, I was going to go to Malawi to see my dear friend, and her project, and leave it at that.

But, you've met me, right?!

No such thing as "leave it at that" in my world... My mind began to spin, my imagination stretched and my dream began. I could climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as a fund raiser before I visit Christie in Malawi. A fund raiser to support children both locally and globally.

Over the next few months I began researching tours up Mt. Kilimanjaro (Mt. Kili from here on in) and decided that if I'm going all the way there to climb the mountain, I may as well do a safari. Of course! So, the safari was added. Then I learned that to fly into Mt. Kili airport, I would need to fly in on KLM - originating from Amsterdam. Well, how perfect is that?! I have family in Amsterdam. So, I sent of an email and voila, my trip was extended to include a visit with family before heading into Africa.

Today, 100 days out, my trip has been booked, my training is underway and my fundraising (despite a few glitches in getting going) is close to ready for launch.

I am a dreamer, and I dream big. I believe that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I love children and have a heart for Africa. When this all mixed up together, I discovered that I am only one, but still I am one and I am choosing to complete this adventure to help children and families both locally and globally.

Please stay with me and follow my blog and my adventure. Please pray for me as I plan, train and prepare both physically and mentally for the greatest challenge of my life. Please dare to dream along side me that together, we can change the world.

Here we go!