The Countdown

The countdown has begun!  So, we are packing six checked bags, two carry-ons, and two personal belongings with things that we say we "need" and will soon be boarding a plane with a one-way ticket.  By January 14th, we should have a Zambian stamp in our passport and a visa that permits us to work and live in our new home.  Thank you to all who have been asking us where we are going and why.  This blog post is for you!  And a special treat: my amazing co-blogger and husband will be making an appearance.

Well, if you know Stephen or me very well, you know this has been a long-time dream and goal of ours, even long before we met each other.  My years as a child in Kenya and Stephen's college internship in Uganda were certainly influential in giving us a heart for the African people.  God has over and over affirmed and confirmed our desire to go and has faithfully opened a door by allowing us to be a part of World Medical Mission's (WMM) Post-Residency Program.  WMM is the medical branch of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.  The program will allow us to spend the first two years after residency working in an established mission hospital in the developing world where we will experience the joys and challenges of medical missions.  

(Stephen here...)  We will be serving the people of northwest Zambia at Mukinge Hospital near the town of Kasempa.  I've posted the link above on the blog.  Mukinge Hospital is about a 200-bed Christian hospital that serves as a regional referral center for all of northwest Zambia, a total patient population of approximately 600,000.  In Zambia, one in 22 women will die during pregnancy or childbirth and one out of every 14 children born will not live to see its first birthday.  Clearly, the physical needs are great.  I will be caring for children, adults, and expectant mothers in the hospital, some of whom have traveled for days to find healthcare.    Many of these patients will undoubtedly come with immense spiritual needs which we hope to meet with the healing message of Jesus. Amy hopes to be involved in volunteering at the hospital and coordinating short-term volunteers.  In addition, she will also have opportunities to be involved in nutrition and community health outreach projects to the people of surrounding villages.  Together, we also hope to focus on discipling young nursing students who have come from around the country to complete their training at Mukinge.

Along with our ministry at Mukinge, we will also have the opportunity to work along side long-term medical missionaries serving there.  It will be very helpful to learn from experienced physicians how to practice medicine in a developing country and to minister cross-culturally.  In addition, their families will be an invaluable resource to us as we learn to navigate a new culture. 

We are excited about this new opportunity.  We continue to pray that the Lord uses our time at Mukinge to bless the lives of many people.  Thanks to all of you who are partnering with us in so many ways in this work.  We could not do this without you.  As we go, we want you to know that, in a way, you are going with us.   We hope to share with you glimpses of what God is doing in Zambia.  And we hope to continue to hear how He is working in the lives of each of you.

(Now back to Amy!)

So, there you have it.  We are moving to Africa in 10 days.  Please keep us in your prayers.  

We love you!