Put your skills to use on HOPEww Volunteer Corps

Nikki Nies is an exemplary volunteer! She served on the Zambia Sustainable Agriculture Corps in August 2018 as a nutritionist. She has also just signed up to go on the Indonesia Singles Corps next July! Nikki also serves as the Hww director for the East region of the Dallas church.

“My most recent trip to Lusaka, Zambia for the first Hww Sustainable Agriculture Corps was nothing short of humbling, eye opening and exciting! I was and still continue to be in awe of the resilient servants of the local Zambia HOPE worldwide staff, such as Esther, Tendai, Precious, Esther and the farmers. Those farmers are the real experts on what would be most beneficial to the locals as they are there day in and day out. We can enter with our Western mindset that we have the solutions and tools they need, yet oftentimes what they need beyond our technology is encouragement and a smile. These are all freely welcomed.
Making food with outdoor stoves and strategically using the local staples to make meals was an adventure in itself. Cooking in Zambia is laborious—without the luxuries of many western technologies (e.g. it takes too much electricity to use the microwave and/or toaster). We also got to see firsthand “farm to fork” chickens slaughtered and prepared for our meals. Their way of cooking isn’t “wrong”, it’s just different. The women are so strong—physically, emotionally and not because they choose to, but they have to be. For lack of a better word, cooking is a production and I was intrigued by their meal prep.
One of my goals during the trip was to not look at the schedule. This was an opportunity for me to be more present with my surroundings, and not be tethered to a set time frame. Over the two weeks, it was liberating to not be tied down to the clock, and to be able to redirect my attention on fostering relationships and taking in my surroundings. I hope to keep this renewed way of living somewhat in my everyday life. I have more faith that it “will work out.”

I was asked to speak at midweek in front of the Lusaka church. I was hesitant to share my testimony—I wasn’t sure what to share, what would be impactful and/or appropriate. Going forward I need and will be more confident in my ability to shed light on how God has worked in my life and continues to protect me.
While we may never see the direct impact of our service, it doesn’t mean we don’t try. There were times I felt overwhelmed/inadequate to teach nutrition classes to the women in the clinic. My insecurities were screaming with alarms blaring. I can’t see how many of the mothers were affected long term. I showed that mashed banana and peanut butter is a great option for young children, exposing the mothers to new ways of using preexisting items available to them. With a sincere heart and compassion, we can empower others “how to fish.” Compassion doesn’t require you know the local language—everyone understands and sees compassion. I can’t wait to see the great things that are to come next.”