Finished another class for my certification pastoral classes.  Had an interesting time reading about the history of the Assemblies of God.  So neat to see in the book a few of the churches I've attended mentioned and a whole page on Sister Mildred Whitney who started the blind ministry in the A/G.  Not only did my grandpa and father help her with that, but she was the first children's church teacher I learned under.  She was the teacher of the 3 year olds and I was her helper.  So encouraging to read about people who made an impact in your life.  Can only imagine all the other stories.

It was also encouraging to read the Constitution and bylaws.  Know it sounds funny to say that but the document wasn't dry and boring.  It was very down to earth with important spiritual truths weaved in with practical running of a church organization.  Reading about how it came to be gave me a better sense of the organization I am linking my life to.  Good to know that though it's not perfect (neither am I), good people with incredible hearts for God and a passion to reach others with His love are at the helm.

Made it to the next mark.  75% of my funding is pledged.  Amazing to realize how close it is getting.  I also have my documents in hand ready to apply for my Zambian medical license and work permit.  It's been wonderful seeing my new pediatric partner fit into our practice also.  She is a big answer to prayer.  Not only is she taking good care of the patients but slid right into the computer part of the job I was doing (even better then me).

Spending a year in Zambia as a missionary associate is an exciting next step in my missionary journey.  Here is my brief testimony of why I am where I am today.  While growing up in the church, meeting missionaries and hearing their stories was one of my favorite times.  I felt my own calling to be a missionary as a twelve year old child.  What that looks like has been shaped along the years by different people and experiences.  My first missions trip was a high school AIM trip to Venezuela.  It helped deepen my desire.  A high school science teacher encouraged my pursing of a career in medicine as a senior.  From then on my path has been to work overseas in medical missions.  I received my undergraduate degree at Evangel University where my academic and spiritual life matured.  In medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin, I was able to go to Zambia as a fourth year medical student and complete a month rotation with another student and an experienced medical missionary nurse practioner.  Though previously I had felt a call to India, during that trip a love of the African people was born that has only grown over the years.  I spent my pediatric residency in Cleveland, Ohio where I went to Kenya for a month rotation.  God has provided a perfect job at Southwestern Medical Clinic in Michigan with a Christian, mission-minded practice.  I have been able to go to Sudan for a month.  I also went to India with Evangel premed and nursing students as a preceptor.  There it was confirmed to me that I wanted to go with AGWM.  Last May I returned for one month to Zambia and worked with the same missionaries from my medical school trip.  Through many big and small ways God showed me Zambia is the right country for me to serve.  

Spent the weekend in the Cleveland area.  Met up with so many friends from Christian Heritage A/G.  What a privilege to share the dream God has given me.  The sense of the immensity of what He is doing, what I have a small part in, hit me in a powerful way as I was waiting to share for a few minutes in morning service.  How God can take a little girl from New Berlin, Wisconsin and send her as a doctor to Lusaka, Zambia is amazing.  Nothing I've done makes me worthy to be in such a position; it's all by His grace.  Sharing Sunday night felt so natural.  He might make a preacher out of me yet, though Archie would probably say I didn't yell enough yet.  The time of prayer was incredible.  So many voices lifted up to God for the people I am learning to love deeply.  I wish I could record the prayers so many have prayed over me so far.  So many Spirit-led words of wisdom and encouragement.  Thank you is not enough.

Here's a few pictures to introduce some of the people and projects I will be working with while in Zambia.  This picture is of Lovemore, the head of the national community health evangelism program (CHE).  He is praying with the sweetest mother and daughter I met on my trip last year.  The little girl is seven years old and has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.  Despite these crippling diseases in such a resource poor area, she and her mom had wonderful smiles that matched their joyful attitudes.  I met them at a health screening.  I had hoped to connect her to a missions hospital in the capital that had a neurosurgeon, but unfortunately, she passed away before making it down there.  This picture embodies what the CHE program is.  Christians bringing the love and hope of Christ in many different facets.

This is a group of teenagers and children from a church where we taught a Holy Spirit seminar over a weekend.  The pastors often have little opportunity for formal Bible training so bringing this helps give them more Biblical training and materials along with strengthening the congregation.  It is so wonderful to partner with the local, national pastors.  The young woman on my right wants to become an accountant.

These are the children being weighed, measured for height and mid upper arm circumference in a village 6 hours north of the capital.  These numbers help predict or tell us if a child is malnurished or in danger of becoming malnurished.  During the health screening, I wrote prescriptions for medications for simple problems like ringworm or eczema and taught the community health workers things about "sick" and "not sick" children.  I learned about what mumps looks like in person.  Mumps is something doctors in America only read about in books thanks to our great vaccination programs.  Here it is still a very real problem, along with measles and chicken pox and neonatal tetanus.

Talked today at my parent's church, Poplar Creek Assemblies of God.  Wonderful to share with so many people who have known me since I was little.  Each person's prayer and thoughtful comment of support adds to my joy and peace.  It is such a good feeling to have others see God's hand working and agreeing with you.  

Had a wonderful time sharing at Eau Claire Community Church this morning. It's the church one of my partners, Dr. Hines is a part of. The people were so warm and receptive. Even got to play my viola for the offertory. I love sharing what I want to do and where I see God leading, but it is still amazing to sense the excitement when people hear and want to get on board.  Met some amazing prayer warriors today.  Brother and sister who are blind physically but definitely see much more then most people spiritually.  Incredible picture of the body of Christ.  Dr. Hines said it right.  "Amazing that God has a blind person in America praying for a malnourished child in Zambia connected by a physician missionary." Every part is important.  

So wonderful to be officially commissioned by my church today in service. Powerful to feel that many hands on you praying and sending you out in His power. Charged by Pastor Miller with 2 Timothy 4:1-8. "As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. " (vs 5). Several people gave me words of encouragement afterwards. God is moving!

Enjoyed feeling like a Zambian yesterday.  Made nshima and relish and greens for lunch for my office.  Wore my shentenga (wrap skirt) and shared with them about my trip last May and my upcoming plans.  No one else ate the Zambian food with their hands as Zambians would but many said it tasted very good.  So grateful for supportive people at work!

Welcome to my blog to chronicle my adventures in Zambia.  I am on a journey to spend a year in Zambia as a missionary associate with the Assemblies of God. You are welcome to follow along.  

I am just at the beginning of this part of the journey.  As I get more proficient technically, I may share more of the story that got me to this point.  I am hoping by January 2013 to be on the field.  I was approved in May this year and have finished my orientation in June.  I am starting to set up times to share my story with people and churches who want to partner with me in prayer and finances.  

I will be working with community health evangelism groups, doing medical screening of children in remote communities, setting up nutrition help (ask me about Moringa trees and goats), volunteering at a local hospital and clinics, and helping at an orphanage.  I look forward to helping bring spiritual and physical healing to the people of Zambia as I come along side some incredible missionaries and nationals.