My name is Shana. I am from Australia and I have been serving with Hands at Work since 2019.
In 2016, whilst at a Christian conference in Melbourne, I passed several mission stalls, but nothing really stood out to me. Then on New Year’s Eve, I went to a young adults gathering and met a lovely couple called Daniel and Heather Wilson. They were sharing their heart about Africa and serving with an organisation called Hands at Work that served the most vulnerable children across Africa.
I had always felt a pulling and tugging on my heart to serve and do something in Africa, but never knew where to start or what to do. As I was talking to them my heart was beating fast and I asked the Lord, “could this be it?”
After that day, I went to the mission stand and talked to people like Stephen and Busie Jones and Rachel and Phil McLaughlin. By faith, I signed up for a two-week team trip to South Africa.
The vision, the passion, and the mission of Hands to serve the most vulnerable really spoke to my heart that trip. I fell in love with the people, the children, and the culture of dancing and singing. Little did I know that God would be calling me to a bigger future with Hands.
I later went on two separate mission trips, before joining the 2019 intake for one year. It was a huge step out of my comfort zone, but through this internship I got to serve amongst the most amazing African leaders and people who are so dedicated to the work of Hands bringing healing, wholeness and restoration to those in need. I had the privilege of serving in five countries. It was a huge honour to be there.
In 2020, I had the incredible opportunity to be based long-term in Zambia. I truly loved it there and it later became home. I served in the communities with our local service centre staff, as well as doing office Admin work. I was also then given the opportunity to do the illustrations for our monthly Bible story that goes out to our communities.
I grew so much spiritually, physically, and mentally while I was serving in Zambia and living at Kachele farm. Of course, as with everything in life, there were mountains and valleys, but overall, it is a place that has become dear to my heart and will forever be. I fell in love with the people and learned so much from each of them. They have taught me lessons that I could never have learnt in school. I loved the children I served and was loved by them in return.
I served in Zambia from 2019-2022, and now I am back home in Australia for some time with my family after not seeing them for three years. I am so grateful to the Lord for all he has done through my Hands journey up till now. He took me as a fearful girl and turned me into a confident young woman. I am so grateful to the leadership of Hands at Work, and I have learned so much from them all. I have left my heart in Africa, with the desire to return again soon.