I am leaving for Zambia in just a matter of hours, and wanted to share a few pictures from my first Zambian experience, and just how grateful I am for those who have donated time, money, and means to help me make it back to these beautiful African children.

One of the greatest experiences I’ve had in my life has been the opportunity to travel to Africa, to Zambia in 2009. I went with an amazing organization Mothers Without Borders. It was an experience that shaped and changed my heart in ways that guided many of the choices that I have made, the way I see and view the world, and also how to truly love and be loved in return.

I will never forget the very important things that I learned as I was able to be surrounded by the Zambian people. I remember vividly the night during our evening devotional where I was told that my heart could hold every single person. Of course God created our hearts, thus they are extremely capable of loving everyone. It is a beautiful expectation to have of ourselves that I have since tried to accomplish since that most sacred night in Lusaka.

I re-read some of my journal entries over the past few days some of the things that I learned while there:

So as I have been preparing to travel to Zambia once again, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that has been shown to me. I found out from my team leader a little over a month ago that we were in need of sewing donations. A list was compiled of needed items and I took it to my favorite quilt shop! Quilted Works came through for me! As they have so many times in the past. I worked at Quilted Works for about 5 years and have so appreciated the wonderful Management there that has truly given me opportunity, a passion for quilting/sewing and so many dreams. They have supported me and loved me, and to them I will always, forever be grateful.

So within a week and a half, the money was raised to purchase 2 treadle sewing machines in Zambia for a sewing club there. More fabric then I could pack into my bags, a garbage back full of thread. 60 beautiful t-shirt dresses, needles, scissors, pins, zippers, buttons, and everything else you can imagine came flooding in. I stopped by the quilt shop every couple days for a few weeks, and every time I was overcome with emotion of gratitude and love. How wonderful are so many that have given of their heart for such a beautiful cause.

Thank you, thank you.

It is quite a wonderful experience to be apart of something so much greater than yourself. I have wanted to get back to the Zambian people ever since I returned in 2009. Now is the time, I have felt once again called to go. It’s a unique experience going to Africa, once you go, AFRICA stays in your heart forever.

These last few pictures share some of the most special faces from Africa. Dalious is a boy that because he shared his heart with me, changed mine forever. I think and pray for him often.

Last of all is the sweetest Carol Zulu who lost her life to a battle of HIV/AIDS shortly after I returned in 2009. She is one of the dearest spirits I have ever met, her love flowed so naturally from her being. She truly “knew how to see optimism when there was none.” Spend your life in Love to honor this sweet Zambian Carol Zulu.

“I am African, not because I was born in Africa, but because Africa is born in ME.”

-Kwame Nkrumah