In the Wake of Gratitude

As I sit here, in my home, in front of my computer, I am so filled with excitement and gratitude that I can barely contain it all.

Yesterday I put out the call for immediate help to raise enough funding to buy airfare for the trip. The price for a round trip ticket from Seattle to Kilimanjaro had dropped to less than $1,100. At very least this was a $500 savings from the lowest price I'd found last month.

In response, donations poured in, and in just 9 hours the funding campaign topped $1,100 (starting from an existing $425).

So many people helped through sharing the link to the fundraiser or by donating that my entire evening was spent thanking folks for their generosity. It was, simply put, beautiful.

Now I sit here, aware that I must take a leap of faith and book a 22-day trip to Tanzania today. I am comforted in knowing there are organizations willing to have me, and lodging available for me. Still, there is a certain amount of trepidation in the fact that I still need to successfully raise another $2,400 to do this trip.

It's a gamble I am willing to make, though. This airfare price is amazing and I cannot miss this opportunity.

here we GO!!!!