Impact

This first entry is simply so you all will know that we have made it safely and make you aware of our final preparations before arriving. A main focus of this trip and the success for our mission is to keep God at the center at all times. We spent much of our time at HUT in devotion; singing praises to God. This was not worship like I am use to experiencing. I often find it hard during services to lift up my praises and allow the spirit to enter in; however, something is different. At one point I closed my eyes to sing and was unable to open them again until we were done praising. This experience was as if I was allowing Jesus to enter in. Not just that particular worship time, but the trip as a whole. One of our main goals as a group during this mission is to bless each life we come in contact with, no matter what the circumstances. At one point yesterday, Dr. Daggett made a point that I was able to connect with. He explained that as Christians overseas we can either act as cats or dogs. After feeding and petting a dog, they view you as God; but after feeding and petting a cat, they view themselves as God.

There are several reasons that caused me to make this trip and I would consider them selfish in some ways. There is no doubt that I will benefit just as much or more by this mission than any Zambians I come into contact with. I hope that my stay in Zambia will allow me to not only further my purpose in medical missions, but to help shape who I will be in the future. I will be able to focus more time on studying the Bible and I pray that all of this allows me to become one with the Spirit.

I would like to share a couple points that were made before our departure from HUT. Jeff Hopper visited us to share some thoughts before leaving. He mentioned, “When you help someone, you become more like God.” Although I have never met Dr. Hopper before, I immediately respect him due to his praise of others and witty way of speech. He stressed how every life ends and that health care simply prolongs life. As medical missionaries it is important to always remember God is most important.

Packing

I figured it would be best to have the first entry typed up before we leave for Zambia and everything becomes madness. I was recently informed that we will only be given 8 hours of internet during the 3 months in Kalomo. I view this immediately as a blessing because I spend way too much time on the computer here in the states.

This trip will bless my life in so many ways and through this blog I hope to share some of my reflections with you all. This entry is simply an introduction and I hope to post a few maps that will give a general idea of our location in Zambia. After reading up on some African culture and history I am already viewing life in a different way. I pray that our group is able to make a difference on our trip to Zambia and that through our good deeds God will be shown. May the Holy Spirit dwell within each of us; giving us the insight to do and say what need be.

As you can see from the map above: Zambia is southwest of Kenya and Tanzania. Although this is where we will be spending most of our time, other places around Africa will be visited as well.

Here is a map of Zambia. Kalomo is towards the south as you can see (above Livingstone).

Although I will be pressed for time; I hope to prepare entries on a word document using information from my journal, and simply paste them to this site. I am not sure of what all we will be doing while in Africa, but we will be busy. The Harding in Zambia program is targeted mainly towards medical missions. We will be helping out in the clinic and orphanage as well as visiting planted churches around the area. I plan to raft the Nile and bungee jump, which will not be addressed again until afterwards. This trip will be a great blessing in each of our lives. I hope that it may be a blessing to each person that reads this blog as well. Unfortunately, I am no talented, smooth writer; however, the words which are typed will be from the core. The things which are said will be real, leaving nothing sugarcoated. Developing countries are nothing like we are used to here in America.