Skipping Tuesday

The first view of Zambia!

I have arrived in Zambia!  Tuesday morning, I got on a plane in Charlotte, took a brief flight to Washington, DC, then a much longer flight to Ethiopia. When I arrived in Ethiopia almost 14 hours later, it was Wednesday morning.  It was like Tuesday never existed!  The remainder of my trip to Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) was uneventful. I arrived with my person and luggage all intact and accounted for!  Praise the Lord for His provision!


I have been in Lusaka for the past few days, and have had almost no jet lag thanks to the shear exhaustion of being on a plane or in an airport for 24 hours and the sleep that ensued on my arrival. I have met the SIM Zambia team and have seen a few of the sights. The weather is delightful (70s, occasionally raining), and sleeping under a mosquito net makes me feel like I'm camping. Today I am especially grateful that I arrived in Zambia during mango season (my favorite). I'm also thankful for the unexpected blessing of an icy cold Coke Zero to go with my lunch today (my other favorite)!  

My mosquito-netted bed

Next week (Tuesday), I will be taking an exam to obtain my Zambian medical license, and then off to Mukinge Wednesday morning! I am so thankful to be here in Zambia and to be well on my way to doing what God has been preparing me to do for the last 16 years!  The adventure continues!!

Breakfast mango

Departure

The big day is almost here!  The past few days and weeks have been full of visiting with friends and family, saying goodbye to many people, places, and things, and of course, packing. Lots and lots of packing.  And now, my bags are all packed, the furniture has been given away, loose ends have been tied up, and hundreds of goodbyes and hugs and tears have been shared. I'm ready to put 16 years of training and preparation into action, and I'm so excited to see what the Lord has in store. Chapter 2 is starting now.  

Barrel of fun (actually, supplies) on its way from Indiana to Mukinge Hospital!!

Jeremiah 1:5-8:

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescueyou,” declares the Lord.