At IBEX, I got to meet all kinds of people. Only a few were what I would call radically crazy (cf. Est 4:16; Phil 1:20-21). Emily Lawlor Aaston (Spring 2004) is a standout in that category. After her time in IBEX, she spent a semester in Uganda, part of which she spent working with “street boys” through Off Tu Mission. To raise money for them now, she is going to hike the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, from the border of Canada to the border of Mexico. Alone. Here’s what one hiker said about it:
Nothing can prepare a hiker for the despair, the alienation, the anxiety, and especially the pain, both physical and mental, that slices to the very heart of the hiker’s volition, which are the real things that must be planned for. The ability of the hiker lies in his personal adaptations. The desire to do the long-distance hike is the only thing that can get a person through.
Emily’s goal is to raise one dollar for every mile she hikes. She is going to suffer for each and every dollar. I would encourage you to consider either a one-time donation (X number of miles) or a per-mile pledge. If 100 people pledged one penny per mile ($26 total), she would meet her goal and know that she has 100 people standing with her, especially when the going gets tough. All of the funds will go to helping support these children in the mission.
You can donate here.
She starts hiking on April 16. Blog updates will be posted here.