Michael Adee, National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians, has sent his thoughts on his recent trek to the mountaintop ... a journey to celebrate freedom, and the dignity of all God’s people that is his own deep commitment.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

 Step by step, hour by hour, mile by mile, day by day we made our journey starting in a rain forest to the climbing of the face of a glacier. Kilimanjaro, the Roof of Africa.

Words fall short of the feelings in my heart and soul in these days following my recent benefit climb for LGBT equality of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

When I set my heart and mind on the goal of returning to Africa and climbing Kilimanjaro, I began intense training. When I decided to make this a Benefit Climb for LGBT Equality in addition to a personal challenge, I chose a stretch goal of $19,340 to match the elevation of Kilimanjaro at its Summit, 19,340 feet. I am deeply grateful to all of you who have offered donations and moral support. It is not too late to give to this campaign. I am deeply moved by the outpouring of generosity and good will in the response to this Kilimanjaro Benefit Climb.

The Supremes' signature song and Motown hit, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," became my mantra during the expedition. After 5 days of climbing, we began our final ascent at 11 PM in darkness shattered only by the stars above us and our head lamps. Exhaustion, discouragement or oxygen deprivation could have easily overtaken any of us. The switchbacks were unending, I worried about frostbite from the bitter cold and the summit was nowhere in sight.

Taking one step and then another, I thought of the many persons who had sent notes of encouragement before I left for Africa. Several friends told me, "you are doing this Climb for all of us. Go for it." In addition to the other 6 climbers and the 5 African guides, I had a sense of a "cloud of witnesses" with us as written about in Hebrews 12:1. Even when the journey feels long and solitary, we are not alone.

Dawn broke through the clouds beneath us as we were now hiking above the horizon having reached Gillman's Point. For those who know me well, it will not be a surprise to you that I burst into tears at the sight of this magnificent sunrise. And, this is at the rim of one of the largest volcanic craters which we would have to traverse to reach the Summit, nearly a 1,000 more feet to climb.

I told the National MLP Board and several close friends, I want to climb Kilimanjaro to see the horizon, that I needed a new perspective. I confess that sometimes I feel like I cannot breathe in the suffocating and life-threatening debate over whether or not LGBT persons are equally created in the image of God with our heterosexual sisters and brothers.

So, here I was, traversing the narrow rim of Kilimanjaro's crater moving closer with each step and breath toward the Summit, Uhuru. Dr. Julius Nyerere, the first African President of Tanzania named the summit Uhuru, Swahili for "freedom." Each step was taking us closer to the Summit, to freedom. Such language and images are not lost on a human rights/gay activist.

Each step you take, each step we take toward spiritual, ordination and marriage equality moves all of us closer to the reality of freedom, liberation, the end of discrimination and the creation of a Church and world that recognizes the sacred creation and worth of all of God's children, not just some. Uhuru, freedom.

At the Summit of Uhuru, I reached into my backpack for the Rainbow Peace Flag that Bear Ride and Susan Craig gave to me from Italy. With joy and gratitude, I proudly held up that Rainbow Peace Flag next to the wooden sign telling us that we had made it to the Summit, that we made it to the Roof of Africa. It may well be that this was the first time that a Rainbow Peace Flag has flown on top of Kilimanjaro; may it not be the last.

We will get there. Spiritual, ordination and marriage equality will be achieved. These dreams will become realities. While it was remarkably challenging, I never doubted we would reach the Summit. No matter what was ahead of us, I knew we would make it. The lessons of Kilimanjaro give me hope for our Church and world.

Upon his death, BBC News called Julius Nyerere "the conscience of Africa." What will be said about Christianity during this time and era? What will be said of our Presbyterian Church, or your church, of any of us when it is all said and done?

History will judge us. Apologies for sanctioning slavery have been offered in recent time from some Christian groups. It is my prayer that we will not wait a hundred years to get it right about LGBT people and their families. Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Freedom is in our reach, a step away in the journey toward Shalom, the realm of God.

with hope and grace,

Michael

Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., National Field Organizer

More Light Presbyterians, 369 Montezuma Avenue # 447, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 USA (505) 820-7082, michaeladee@aol.com, www.mlp.org

PS - if you would like more information on this Kilimanjaro Benefit Climb for LGBTEquality and/or to donate - go to www.mlp.org