She speaks no English, in fact she speaks very little at all.  There is something about her that is mezmorizing.  Maybe it's the way she works in a mans world, or that she carries 30 lbs...on her head?  Maybe it's that she is a widow, and a mother of five kids.  Severa...a quiet but incredibly inspirational woman. 

She was the only female porter on our team of about 50 male guides & porters.  She hauled as much as they did with very few breaks and tackled that mountain like a pro.  And all in tennis shoes and a track suit.  There is something about her eyes...a peace and a deepness that made me want to know more.  The language barrier and my initiative haulted that.  We talked a bit through one of the guides at the end of our trip, sharing a brief hug and some nods but in hind sight I wish I would have sought her out earlier.  I wish I would have tried to make more of a connection.  Knowing both Heidi and I are committed to praying for her we are so grateful for all we have, that we thought we would leave her some gear behind.

Truthfully I am not much of a hiker so my boots will stay in Africa, hopefully to bless Severa in all her journies to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Heidi is leaving many thermal items to help with her warmth as she continually climbs to provide for her family.