humble heart

Tomorrow I leave to return to Namwianga, Zambia.  I realize I don't have to tell everything I know, but it's really in my gene pool to tell EVERYTHING I KNOW, so I feel an overwhelming need to write that I have cried many times in the last two weeks about how thankful and humbled I am that I get to go back to these new babies at this orphanage.  There will be a few faces I know, but most babies have gone home (the MAIN GOAL) , and there are some faces that I wish I could see, but I know I will see their gravestones instead.  I didn't cry because I was sad or because I wish I could have gone 2 weeks earlier when the rest of the group did, or like I did last year because I couldn't go and my mom was going and I didn't think I could offer support to my family here in town on my own.  I cried* this time because I am so unbelievably humbled by the opportunity to go and serve in a capacity that will be useful.

I am usually a scared flyer.  No real reason except for 9/11.  I can't do skyscrapers anymore, either, by the way.  But I am more calm than not this time and ready to go.  But please say a prayer for the 3 of us going on Tuesday.  And that all the bags get there.

*I don't usually cry so easily when I remember to take my Lexapro.  Must remember that. 

4 more days

I am craving Zambia.

And wishing I could see this face!  But the sweet baby went home a couple of months ago.  I pray Robert grows up happy and healthy and well loved.  I'm always rooting for him!

First group in Jo-burg

The first group is getting ready to land in South Africa and spend the night.
I've been tracking them on my phone. Amazing. I love technology.


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First Group leaving today!

The main group leaves today from Little Rock heading to Namwianga, Zambia via Atlanta, Johannesburg, and Livingstone, with an overnight on the plane and in Jo-burg.
In this group are 6 SLP graduate students from Harding University, 1 undergrad from LSU, and 4 SLP supervisors, one of which is my mom and two others amongst my very dearest friends.



So I'm praying for safe travels, healthy immune systems, smooth dealings with local bureaucracy, and happy happy hearts. That last one I have no doubt about.



And I will leave to join them in exactly two weeks with two other giving hearts who just want to go and do what is needed for the orphanage.

Preps and Props

I love it when things stay in my heart: people, words, places...but none caught me more off guard than about 90 babies in the middle of the African bush in southwest Zambia.  I was there to assist a program called HIZ-Path as a pediatric occupational therapist.  I exclusively worked with about 7 babies and toddlers, but felt I could do more.  So I found Tina Allen at Liddle Kidz and worked to become a Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist and am finishing certification requirements for Certified Infant Massage Teacher. 

Babies at The Haven orphanage at Namwianga Mission are going to be benefiting from the nurturing touch of massage and the caregivers can learn to provide it after I leave!  Let's help some babies!