Where and why am I going?

My medical elective is something I have dreamt of for many years and now it is here. A medical elective is a placement that I can do anywhere in the world. I have friends going to Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nepal etc. The medschool dictate that we have to do a 5 week placement and the rest is up to us.
Some of you will know that last year I went to Bolivia with three of my housemates. We volunteered for an organisation called Bolivian Youth Ministries. It was a great few weeks and God taught me alot.
Before leaving for Bolivia, my church leader came to my cell group and talked about mission. He challenged us as a group to invest in the same place, to ask God for a heart for a place and not to use mission trips as a chance to view the globe. I have always prayed and asked God where he wanted me to go and that has meant going to lots of different places. There was something in what Andrew said that really stirred in my heart and whilst out in Bolivia I felt God saying I was to come back.
My friend Kat and I are doing are placement at the Harry Williams Hospital in Cochabamba. It is a small 25 bed hospital that is involved in maternal and child health and that is about all I know. It is a Salvation Army hospital. For me this is very exciting because I feel I am taking my first steps in the medical mission field. Something I believe I will be more involved in in the future.

Between now and when I go....

I fly out of Heathrow on the 15th April, which is a month tomorrow! Between now and then my plans are:
For the next few weeks I'm finishing of fourth year and revising for my end of year exams. There is lots of elective preparation to do, like spanish learning, shopping and praying. I have got to wear white scrubs, white shoes and a white coat, maybe not the most practical when working in a dusty country and delivering babies.
On the 2nd April I will be sharing about the trip at my cell group. I'll be doing this with my friend Kat who I am going with.
On the 6th and 7th April I have two multiple choice papers on the content of fourth year.
On the 8th April I have a poster presentation exam.
From the 9th - 14th April I am on team at Spring Harvest Minehead. I am helping in the evening all age celebration. This will be lots of fun, working with a fantastic team and serving God.
On the 14th it's called wash clothes and get ready to fly because on the 15th we fly. You may have wondered when I am going to pack? I have wondered the same question. We will wait and see.....

Reason for blogging

Some of you may be wondering: Why has Zara got a blog? Well the answer is: On the 15th April I'm off on my elective to Cochabamba, Bolivia. I think blogging is a good way to keep whoever wants updated on all that is going on when I'm on elective. So watch this space.....