Why Zimbabwe?

"Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

I found that.

I love looking back on how this all came about. Until May, these past three years just felt like a dead end...like I would graduate with a ridiculous degree (Global Studies major, Psychology and Theology minors) and have nothing to do with it, having wasted way too much money on some knowledge and a good time. But Zim happened, and it actually all started making sense. 


One thing that really drew me to CCU was the CCU2theWorld program, which enables students to lead missions teams. Add in a bit of Dr. Watson's enthusiasm, and I was sold. Freshman year went by, and I didn't even apply for a missions trip. I had the lofty idea of starting or working with a holistic organization - my ideal would have been an orphanage that also reached out into the community with a church, school, and clinic. To meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I essentially gave that up by the end of my first year of college, because I didn't think that existed or was possible for me to accomplish. 

Then sophomore year came, and I decided I would talk to David Bosworth, the Director of Student Missions, about leading a team. Plans to go to Ethiopia with Food for the Hungry came about, then changed to Uganda, then somehow happened. Meanwhile, I was in Dr. Watson's Africa class spring semester of 2010. We began discussing Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe, and for some reason, my interest was peaked. But in the midst of insane preparations for Uganda, thoughts of Zimbabwe were put on the back burner. My experience in Uganda wasn't the best in the leading-the-trip realm, and I was really turned off to the idea of leading another CCU2theWorld trip. But then, it just snuck back in to my brain...Zimbabwe.


Trust me, I'm not one of those people who puts a lot of weight on random thoughts. I am so scatter brained that I disregard just about everything. I don't proclaim to the world that God has spoken to me because I am so unsure all the time. But it just kept coming back.


And so I stepped out in faith, I suppose. I posted a facebook status asking if anyone has connections in Zimbabwe - this was after googling non-profits in Zimbabwe for hours and finding absolutely nothing due to the economic and political situation. Two lovely ladies from Fergus Falls recommended that I talk to a girl they know, Ashleigh, who was an MK in Zimbabwe and now lives in Colorado. She emailed me back with contact information for a few organizations, one of which was Fountain of Hope. To make a long process short, I found out that Fountain of Hope was the EXACT organization that I had dreamed of freshman year. It was one of those sends-shivers-up-your-spine moments. They have the orphanage and church and are currently making plans and raising money to start a clinic and a school.


The planning process began, and I would see more little things that revealed God's hand in my life. For instance: I thought that Uganda, for me personally, was just a growing experience. One that taught me patience, trust, and a little bit more about myself. BUT, if I hadn't led the Uganda trip in 2010, there is no way that David would have allowed me to lead the Zimbabwe trip in 2011 because it was SO disorganized right up until the day we left. If I hadn't developed that trust, the trip wouldn't have gone. I never would have found my place. I never would have met Tinashe. I wouldn't have plans that exhilarate me!

My apologies for the length of this. I just hope that other people can find their place too - the place where they come alive. Thank you for supporting me on this journey. I am so excited to continue sharing with you. Let me know your story too!