2008-2009 Yearbook

summer campaigns 31 a faithful healing her face,” Corella recalled. “She closed her eyes and started humming even though she did not know the songs we were singing. We all just witnessed the work of the Lord and the joy that only comes from having Jesus as your savior.” The transformation that occurred in Roza’s life was evident to everyone around her. “From then on, she seemed very calm and at peace with her condition,” senior Kendyll Helf said. “She smiled and would always hold out her hand for us to come say hello. The change in her demeanor and attitude is truly a testament of what God can do in someone’s life.” Roza was discharged from the hospital the final day that the students were in Chimala. The last news they heard about her was that she was gaining her strength back, but it was a slow and difficult process. “Even if she was in pain, she always welcomed us with a smile and would often say ‘ninamshukuru Mungu kwa wewe’ which in Swahili means ‘I am thankful to God for you,’” Corella said. Ellis, Helf and Corella all agreed that their time spent in Africa was a life-changing event. They learned things that were necessary for them to succeed in their field of study, gained confidence in caring for and treating illnesses and had first-hand interactions with real people and their problems. But the most important thing that they learned was how God worked in people’s lives. “The most valuable aspect of our trip was the relationships that we shared in,” Corella said. “We grew as a mission team, we grew close with the missionaries and the hospital staff, we grew with numerous patients and ultimately we grew with our Heavenly Father. All of us would say that this was the single greatest thing we took from this trip.” The students that went on this medical mission returned home to the U.S. as different people. They were changed by the things they saw and experienced. Their memories of Africa and of God, still very much alive, will remain with them wherever they go. Rebecca Harrell

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