Meagan: Back To Zambia

Many of you know my niece, Meagan, and some of you are aware of her through me. The daughter of my brother, Dave, and his wonderful wife, Sally, Meagan returned last week to her life at the Namwianga Mission in Zambia after a two year sabbatical back in the US. Meagan previously worked at the Mission for four years where she takes care of abandoned and orphaned infants, many of whom are HIV+. Here is the report she sent her family and friends last week upon her arrival and the reunion with the little ones she loves. Please keep her in your prayers.

Hello everyone!

I hope this e-mail finds you all doing well. I am enjoying a night of power, which is a treat since I've been here. We actually got to cook dinner at a normal time, and we even ate it with full light! Apparently, there is a transformer down in town that is causing major power outages. I'm so thankful for candles and headlamps!

I arrived last Sunday after two days of travel. My friend Jana came with me for a visit, so it was so nice that she was here to help me with the transition. To say that it's been hard would be a major understatement. I love this place and I love these people more than I could ever say, but leaving was one of the hardest things I've done. I leave behind the greatest family and friends in the world, and although I know it's only a year and a half until I'll see them again, it sure feels like a long time. Like my grandmother always told me, take deep breaths. So I'm taking deep breaths and diving in!

My reunions with the babies and the aunties were so, so sweet. There was much shouting and dancing, and I was blessed to literally jump right back in where I left off. We have many new babies, but so many are the same and it's heart-warming to see the growth they've all had. And there is so much work to be done! God loves and values children, and I'm so privileged to get to serve Him by serving them. I started right back in with language classes, baby evaluations, feeding, rocking, playing, and on and on.

We are making a trip to Lusaka on Tuesday to pick up my truck and get some more supplies to get the house set up. Harding University in Zambia (HIZ) begins on Wednesday, so we will have about 25 college students and 4 faculty members arriving for the semester. One of the faculty members coming with them is Louisa Duke, my old teammate here! I'm excited to be reunited with her. HIZ students are always so helpful around the orphanages, and we're looking forward to the love they'll share with all our little ones.

Well, I'm off to bed! Tomorrow is another full day of dropping a friend off at the bus station in town, church, visiting Lola in her village, and continuing to get my house settled. I am so grateful for you all and your friendship and support. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you all, and I thank God for you all the time. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Meagan

God bless,
Uncle Steve
Luke 18:1

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E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com