From our Guest Bloggers...

Enjoy our latest blog from our Communications Co-Chairs:  Autumn Jade Morales and Michelle Barbosa:

Tectonic plates shift every second of every day underneath the earth's crust. Often the impact of this geological occurrence is not even noticeable on the surface but deep below millions of things have moved & changed. Every once in awhile something shifts and the impact is monumental and results in an earthquake, literally shaking the earth with the initial impact, shockwaves, and vibrations of the aftershock. 

This is what it has felt like serving alongside Northrise University in Ndola, Zambia. Impact Ndola is aptly named and just like tectonic plates are shifting below the surface, impact Ndola has created many positive shifts below the surface, mostly invisible but important impacts on the community and those serving. Some of those moments where when we as nursing students were playing games with children & pinky promising to be best friends forever or sittings on the bus building deep and meaningful relationships with the Northrise college students. Those relationships cannot be tangibly measured but they are cherished and absolutely treasured.

However just like an earthquake, this trip has also has had clear moments of earth shattering, life changing impacts. People in the community received basic healthcare and dental work. Meanwhile in Mupalo, Mackenzie, and Arising Light (ALMS), the children learned a great deal of basic hygiene education & received checkups. 

Throughout our close interaction with the children of Mapelo, ALMS, and Mackenzie we've come to realization of many inspiring obstacles that has impacted each and everyone of us. It's the realization that these children have little in their life, but are the ones that have the most love for others and our Lord. We've seen these precious children encourage one another throughout our stay. During one of the days we were in ALMS doing a health screening, we came across a beautiful moment during the ear check screening. Some of the children were quite frightened by the otoscopes being used on them to check their ears. However, when we patiently and kindly explained/demonstrated how it functioned they slowly started to become less hesitant. The braver children assured their timid friends that they were in good hands. The children would hold each other's hands for comfort. As the children became less frightened, more children were eagerly excited to  have their ears checked. 

We also were able to go on a tour of the Arthur Davidson pediatric hospital. It really moved our team and shook us to come face to face with the reality that the healthcare we receive in the States is a luxury that few can afford globally.  

It's very easy when thinking about God's plan for our lives to have the attitude of "it's all about me". Sometimes we may also mistakenly think that God's plan is always going to be a "feel good" plan intended to make us happy. However, it's not always like that. As our team has grown throughout this journey we've come to realize that there is a purpose beyond what we imagine for ourselves. We might not be where we expected nor where we would've asked, but God has a plan for each one of us and has not forgotten about us. In the end we truly are part of something bigger. 

Either way, the impact is felt deeply and in some ways that are clearly visible and in many ways that are life changing to both the community and the Team. We are leaving Ndola in the morning but the aftershocks of this trip will resonate for years to come. Only God knows what the future holds for each us and our new friends in Ndola.

We will leave Ndola in less than 12 hours to fly to Livingstone, Zambia with others from Impact Ndola.  We will have the opportunity to enjoy God's creation at Victoria Falls and Chobe Safari.  We plan to blog regularly on our return home to share more of our Zambia experiences and photos.