DISTINCTION WHO'S WHO HONORS DONALDSON S enior Kelly Donaldson was selected as a Who's Who finalist, an honor reserved for students who represented the mission of Harding in their academics and extracurricular activities. Donaldson, a nursing major, was selected in part because she spent time serving others in Zambia. Donaldson's time in Zambia taking chances and meeting new people produced growth in her life. Donaldson traveled with the Harding in Zambia program during the fall of 2011 and spent time working at the Havens, a home for malnourished or orphaned babies. She revisted Zambia during the summer of 2013 with four other interns and dedicated a portion of her time to the Havens for a second time. While working at the Havens, Donaldson lived with and worked under Maegan Hawley, a medical advocate for the Havens and a missionary in Zambia. "Seeing [Maegan's J strength and willingness to just continue and press on every single day when she is constantly dealing with really hard things like babies dying, constant sickness or just constant hurt, and [how J she continues to fight on and press on really gave me a view of obedience," Donaldson said. Though Donaldson experienced joy while in Zambia, she also encountered suffering and loss. Donaldson faced sickness, the death of a new friend, and leaving behind the babies she came to love. Donaldson and a few other interns cared for a premature baby named Nelson who passed away unexpectedly. "We all got super close to Nelson," Donaldson said. "He was like our family baby, and we loved him so much. Then that first week of school he ended up dying, and none of us were expecting that because he was doing so well. The questions Senior Lauren Ammerman prepares test samples for a project on Jan. 27. Ammerman interned with the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology and participated in cancer research during the summer of 2013. Matt Dobson Senior Kelly Donaldson helps a family lay bricks for their new house in a Zambian village during the summer of 2013. Donaldson first went to Zambia with the HIZ program in the fall of 2012 to work with missionaries at the Havens. Courtesy of Jason Kumalo that come with that [are] a really hard thing." Because of the rewards and challenges of her experience in Zambia, Donaldson learned about God's goodness and his heart. Donaldson worked with infants, such as Florence, who showed her God's love for his children and how he cared for them. "I remember this summer I was sitting there holding this little baby named Florence, and she was helpless, sick, was not happy, was not smiling and she was kind of restless," Donaldson said. "I remember looking down at her and being like this is exactly how we look like in God's arms. He is holding us, and we are sick and restless and upset and broken, but he chooses to hold us and still love us." Those who knew Donaldson best saw her grow during her time in Zambia. Senior Chelsey Sullivan recognized that Donaldson's perspective on nursing and God's work broadened. "I think she gained a new appreciation for what God is doing over there, and I think she gained a new appreciation for nursing and the fact that it is so international," Sullivan said. Donaldson's travels also encouraged some of her fellow nursing majors to use their skills to benefit their communities, either internationally or locally. "I can use [my nursing skills] here, I can use [them J overseas, and there are so many opportunities that are open through that," senior nursing major Caroline Arnold said. Donaldson's mind and heart grew most when she took a step of faith outside of her comfort zone. She was brave enough to travel overseas and use her gift of nursing as she grew in her relationship with God. Amber Houston
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