Be Ready To Serve - Sarah Steib

Sarah Steib
"Mission trips and outreach have always seemed to play a big role in my life. Through my church, family, and Coram Deo, God has truly opened my eyes to how big His world is and His call to share His love with others."
My name is Sarah Steib, and I am a junior at the Collin County CDA campus. Mission trips and outreach have always seemed to play a big role in my life. Through my church, family, and Coram Deo, God has truly opened my eyes to how big His world is and His call to share His love with others. This particular trip, though, was quite different than anything I’ve ever experienced.

Honestly, I knew very little about what to expect on this trip before I boarded a plane to Zambia, Africa. A couple of months before this, the founder of an organization called Mission Regan came to speak at our church about their mission to bring medical supplies and care to anyone in need, locally and internationally. He also mentioned a medical mission trip the group takes to Zambia every year to set up and run a week-long clinic in an area that lacks accessible or affordable medical care. There were a few spots left in the group, so after a lot of prayer, God lead my dad and me to apply and participate. In this group, there were dentists, nurses, paramedics, and people like us without medical abilities. When we arrived, I was met with an abundant love from the Zambian people. They were loving and open, holding nothing back (including caterpillars…yum?).

Although I wasn’t sure what of what the week had in store, God gave me His peace and willingness to serve however I could. My job at the clinic was to help people find the correct reading glasses. Over the course of the week I learned so much about the Zambians’ relational culture, met and played with so many precious babies and children, and saw God working through the hearts of all who fearlessly served Him with their medical gifts. We also partnered with the local churches to host a showing of “The Jesus Film” that over one thousand people attended.

We would pray with and for the people after they were cared for. One of the coolest things that happened over the course of this trip was the ground breaking of a permanent medical facility that will provide greatly needed constant and reliable care for anyone who needs it. Since I’ve returned home it has become extremely evident how much we take for granted our basic medical needs being met the moment an issue arises. Most of the severe cases I witnessed in Zambia could have been prevented if they were treated properly or in a timely matter.

There was one man who came into the clinic complaining of loss of hearing and ear aches. Upon examination, it was discovered he had a bug in his ear, and it had been lodged there for three years. The doctors were able to remove it and the man rejoiced and could not contain a smile as he could hear for the first time in years! Among cool stories like that, there were equally as many sad, irreversible illnesses, including preventable deaths of children from Malaria that will hopefully decrease in number once the permanent clinic opens.

Through this experience, I was even more convinced of how important mission trips are both for the people who are ministered to and for our own hearts through serving. I am forever changed by the people and culture that met me in Africa. Coram Deo has taught me to embrace new cultures and find what connects us all, despite our differences: being a part of God’s plan and creation. I encourage others to seek new adventures and opportunities, no matter how foreign or scary they may seem. Look up and look around at God’s big world, He may be calling you to serve right outside your door or across an ocean. Be ready!
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