LHSON Zambia

As our trip comes to an end it is bittersweet to acknowledge that we have left Lusaka; a place where we have made many valuable memories. It is difficult to leave the wonderful children after creating such unforgettable bonds within such a short time. As we said our goodbyes after church, we couldn’t help but shed a few tears and laughs with the children. These kids radiate so much joy and have helped strengthen our relationships with God even more. We also had the incredible opportunity to meet a Zambian diplomat, Linda Kasonde. Ms. Kasonde is the first elected female President of the Law Association of Zambia. She mainly focuses on civil rights and women empowerment issues. It was an amazing experience to meet such a great example of a female leader.  The encounter is valuable to us on our journey as women in healthcare. Learning from her and her accomplished colleagues (including her mother, an accomplished medical doctor, and her friend, Dr. Natasha Kaoma, who has her own Te...

After arriving in Lusaka on Monday, we have had the privilege to work with Dr. Brad Guffey at Family Legacy. Splitting our team into two groups, we have been working at the Tree of Life clinic and the clinic serving Camp Life. From diagnostic differentials, venipuncture, ART, assessments, and collecting health histories, the students have gained a wealth of clinical experience. Many of our peers have expressed this afternoon as being one of their favorite days after listening to Dr. Guffey’s insight on his AIDS research and the country in which he serves. We expect a busy day at the clinics tomorrow as Camp Life comes to a close for this week. We appreciate your thoughts & prayers for these sweet children. 

Hard to believe, but it has only been just over a week since we landed in Zambia. It truly feels as though we were in Ndola for months. Within just one short week, we developed incomparable relationships with one another, the faculty, the Northrise students and the kids. We were fortunate to have been welcomed by such warm and hospitable individuals who have been kind enough to make us feel right at home. Each and every moment we have experienced thus far has been life altering and full of value and lessons we will carry with us for a life time. From playing with and assessing children at various schools; attending the Apostolic church; visiting Arthur Davidson Children’s Hospital; and much more, we have grown, learned, and been challenged. We were given a complete tour of the hospital which was eye opening and informative, as their procedures differ greatly from those in American hospitals. Some of the other highlights of the week have been going to the market to buy our chit...

On July 7, just three days ago, we arrived in Ndola, Zambia. Our team has been and will continue to be incredibly busy as we participate in Impact Ndola with Northrise University this week. We have visited two of three schools for orphans and vulnerable children (Arising Life Ministries School & Mapolo). Tomorrow we will be serving at Mackenzie School. Our health screenings include an HEENT (Head Eyes Ears Nose Throat), CV (Cardiovascular), MSK (musculoskeletal), and an education rotation. Different members of our team lead us in a devotional each evening and tonight’s topic was “slowing down.” After much conversing, we were able to reflect on how to be still and listen to the Lord amongst urgent situations that we may encounter. Our teammate, Cortlyn, shared that today she was impacted after conducting a musculoskeletal exam on a young boy because he asked if they could pray together instead of playing a game. Amongst many similar stories, we have also experienced an incredibl...

A big hello to all of our families and friends. Our team of 14 students, 2 faculty, and 1 staff member will be leaving on our mission trip to Zambia tomorrow, July 4th. Thank you to everyone who helped us have the opportunity to go on this trip and to those who donated supplies with which we will be able to bless hundreds of children in need. These items will go to vulnerable children in Ndola at Arising Life, Mapolo, and Mackenzie Schools. We will also be conducting health screenings on the children and teaching them the importance of hand and oral hygiene. Keep our team in your prayers as we travel, learn, and serve God. You can follow along with us on this trip with the hashtag #BUinZambia on both Instagram and Facebook. We will also post to this blog regularly. The photo to the left is from our packing party on Tuesday evening.  We have sixteen 50 lb bags of supplies to take with us!

We have been home for a week. Jetlag should be abating, the last of our photos uploaded, and our attentions are turning towards a new school year. Nevertheless, our hearts and minds have experienced an inextricable shift and are still being drawn back to Zambia. We encountered God in the people and places of this intriguing land. The experience of being disconnected from daily life fertilized our souls’ receptivity to opportunities of growth in all aspects of our beings. The stories we have to tell are many and varied. Some are heartwarming while others rend us to the core. We are changed by what we have seen and felt and learned. Our feet have tread on African soil and our hands have touched African bodies. In return, our hearts have felt the warmth of Zambian hospitality and the unfettered love of her children. We were welcomed with exuberant joy and embraced by strangers in a strange new land. I invite you to sit with us and inquire. Let us share...

We went a week without internet while in Ndola.  While we enjoyed not having to be connected with the outside world while we served this beautiful community, it has kept us from being able to share our experiences with you here on our blog.  We arrived in Ndola on Saturday, July 21 st and spent the weekend settling into our cute little chalets at the Njele Country Park near Northrise University. On Sunday morning, we were able to worship at First Baptist Church of Ndola with other Baylor faculty who are teaching at Northrise this summer.  Following the service we were able to visit some roadside craft shops. On Monday we had a full tour of Northrise including their Nursing Simulation Lab, library, farming operation, classrooms, and dorms.  We learned a lot about agriculture in Zambia and had fun seeing our textbooks at Northrise. Following our tour, the staff took us downtown to shop for chitenge (traditional Zambian fabric that is ...

We spent the past two lovely days with our new friends at Family Legacy in Lusaka.  What a wonderful opportunity to partner with this charity that is doing such excellent work to provide for vulnerable children in this community.  Our team learned much, loved hard, and were embraced quickly.  The medical director, Dr. Brad Guffey, is a brilliant and compassionate physician and his medical team of Registered Nurses are hard working and gifted.  Our team benefit tremendously in working with them for an intense two days.  Not only did they spend a day of deep learning together, but also of beautiful service to the children through the clinic. Sic 'em from the LHSON Team & the Family Legacy Medical Team! We have all sensed the way in which God foreordained this brief portion of our trip.  While our original plans had always included a few days in Lusaka, Family Legacy was not part of that plan.  When other service opportunities didn't come tog...

Often, the journey is half the battle.  For most of our team, the flights necessary to arrive in Zambia are the longest they have embarked upon in their lives.  Nevertheless, there are wonders along the way.  We are safely in our hotel in Lusaka and rising to begin our first day of the work and service for which we have been anticipating.  Pray that our jet-lag continues to diminish as we turn our focus to the people of Zambia to which we feel called.  Come back to our blog on Friday to learn of our time with Family Legacy in Lusaka.  For now, here's a report from our PR Leaders on our travels... Departure from DFW  Dubai, United Arab     Emirates    A 14 hour and 30 minute  flight later, necks are stiff and backs are sore, but the team was excited to explore the great city of Dubai.  We took the Metro to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building), and the elaborate fountains as they glowed a...

Ali King Senior Nursing Student "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" Romans 8:28 I pray that we have safe travel and that whatever gifts God has given not only me but those throughout the group that we use them wisely with the children and people we encounter in Africa. Above all, be able to show others the light Christ has shown me. Erica Blair Junior Nursing Student “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God” Isaiah 50:10 I would appreciate prayers of strength and courage as we go overseas. I pray that God will use us in His glory as we do His work and grow closer to Him in the process. I also pray for safety for the team members and those whom we work with.

Peyton Martin Senior Nursing Student "A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me   You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23  I would like to pray for the safety of our team during our travels. I also pray for God to work within us, and through us, as we not only spread his joy and his wisdom but serve the people around us. I pray for the strength to keep us focused on our mission and the experience before us, and for our hearts to...

Katie Katie Battreall, Junior Nursing Major "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." - Ephesians 6:10-11 Prayer request: Since I am one of the most unexperienced on the trip (being only a J2) and this being my first mission trip, I would just ask for strength and guidance to navigate through unknown territory medically, culturally, and relationally. I pray for confidence in my strengths and humility in my weaknesses. Abigail Mendoza, Junior Nursing Major Abigail "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -  2 Timothy 1:7 My prayer : “Lord, Please give my team and me the humbleness and love needed for this mission trip. Please help us grown in our faith and may our actions show Your love to those we care for, and keep us safe and healthy going to and coming back from Zam...