About a Boy

A year ago today, I set out on the adventure of a lifetime. This was a trip I’d dreamt about, envisioned, and looked forward to since I was a child. When I look back on this past year, going back to the fateful moment Jacelyne read Ty’s Instagram post asking where we would be on September 19, 2014, to the moment Meghan called me to say I was officially off the waiting list, to the moment I received the packet containing information about my sponsored child, my little man, Sipao Matepai, I realize that, at the time, I had no idea exactly how life-changing this experience would be. I began planning, training and fundraising in January followed by hundreds of miles walked in preparation, hundreds of letters and e-mails requesting and providing updates on fundraising efforts and thousands of tears of joy shed from the outpouring of support and encouragement from my tribe. The time between that January and last September flew by as much as it dragged on, providing the generosity of time to prepare while it lingered enough to build tremendous anticipation. Nevertheless, there I was, cracking open my journal, awaiting my flight for the first leg of this adventure to Washington DC where I’d meet the fellow sponsors, fellow climbers. I didn’t know at that time that these fellow world changers, would become my Kili family, my Kili brothers and sisters.

I remember my dedication and commitment to learn from this experience, equally grateful and disappointed that I would be taking this adventure alone (well, alone as in the answer to the question “who are you going with” being “with God and 22 other climbers”). I remember that I wanted to gain perspective. I remember having the attitude that this would be a trip of affirmations and I remember, as if it was yesterday, how these affirmations were constantly revealed to me during those 18 days.

I wanted to confirm that I would love Africa, and I did, do, absolutely. I remember walking through the airport in Nairobi under a sign that said “Welcome to Kenya” and smiling as if coming home to a place I’d never been before. I remember driving through Kenya, looking upon Acacia Tree after Acacia Tree (yes, capitalized because they deserve it), so representative of the Kenyan landscape, feeling like I’d taken this drive before. Why? Because I had, so many times in my dreams in fact, that it didn’t feel new. I’d underestimated just how immense my love for Africa would be.

I wanted to confirm that I would love the Maasai People and the people of Africa in general, and I did, do, absolutely. They are generous, hospitable and genuinely happy people. Their smiles can brighten the darkest of souls and their warmth can melt the coldest of hearts. They are courageous, they are resourceful and they are grateful. Their material possessions are scarce or non-existent yet, they have more spirit than any group I’ve ever known. I’d underestimated as well how quickly I’d fall in love with the people of Africa.

I wanted when I met Sipao, to confirm that I’d loved him for all of his life – long before I actually knew him and I did, do, absolutely. I would confirm that he was my reason for daring to take this adventure; that knowing he is taken care of through what One Child Matters is providing him with and the generosity of everyone who invested in his future by way of donations, would make it all worthwhile. I confirmed that Sipao is an AMAZING child of God and is going to do marvelous things with his life, positively impacting his family, his village and his country, our beloved Kenya. I professed it on the day I met him, and know that to be even truer today. We are very much in-touch still, through letters, pictures and the excitement that I will see him again next year. Our families are now intertwined. I’d underestimated what an impact this little man would have on my heart.

I wanted to confirm what I’d suspected about these 22 “other climbers” – that they were selfless, that they were compassionate, that they were brave and that I would love them too and I did, do, absolutely. From the moment we met I could tell they would soon become family and instantly became so much more than just fellow climbers. During our days together, we bonded, gelled, got to know each other on a completely different frequency. I confirmed that Mark and Dee are dedicated, that Jack is valiant, that Ty is exceptionally talented, that Michael is faithful, that Hapi is hope-filled, that Frankie is courageous, that Suite is prayerful, that Ellae and Brian are encouraged, that Dave is awe-inspiring, that Jan is optimistic, that Janet is cheerful, that Sandra is light-filled, that Wendy is confident, that Sophie is compassionate, that John and Suzanne are devoted, that Phan is committed, that Cheryl is witty, that Julie is true and that Ivan is steadfast. I’d underestimated too how close we would become.

I realize that God has had His hand in everything, from the planting of the seed so many years ago to, not only travel to Tanzania and Kenya but to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro; to VOLUNTOUR, to do something that might make a difference. As God always does, He has over-delivered in more ways than I deserve and for that I will be forever grateful. I promised myself that this gratitude would be well-spent by giving back, by continued dedication to make a difference, one child at a time; by inspiring people to reach beyond their comfort zones; by supporting people in their dreams and empowering them to achieve them; by encouraging people to give and convince them, that in giving, we experience all that is genuine and beautiful in this one wonderful life we have been blessed with. We were constantly accused of being world changers, a label none of us accepted although we all, in our own ways, are trying to find ways to live up to or at least get close. This past year has been nothing short of a blessing on so many levels, with the accomplishments of dreams I’d not thought would come to fruition so soon, most of which sprouted from this one trip, that one Instagram post, that one answer to the call.

Yes, this has partially been about what I can do to leave this world a little better for my having been here; partially about what kind of legacy I want to leave behind for my Khloe as her Mima; partially about summiting what I once thought would have been impossible.

But entirely, this has been about a boy; a boy that I love. His name is Sipao and he has forever changed my life for the better and for that, I will be forever grateful!!