This month's testimonial comes from the niece of the one-and-only Nancy Lund.
"My connection to Nicaragua …
Growing up, I thought I knew who my Aunt Nancy was. She was a pediatrician in private practice, had retired early, attended seminary, was quiet, reserved and had diabetes. I knew she was a social activist, her car was covered in cool bumper stickers and she sent me Christmas cards informing me that 25 chickens or a cow had been donated in my name!
But until her death in 2013, I never really knew what made her tick or where her heart and passion lay. It was during preparation for her memorial service I learned she was a philanthropist who dedicated her time and money to various organizations. One of those organizations was Circle of Empowerment (COE), a grass roots outreach community program in Aposentillo, Nicaragua, serving nine rural communities with a population of over 6,000. She partnered with COE to demonstrate the love of God by empowering the Nicaraguan people through health, education and economic development. She traveled there regularly, providing free medical care and education. She built a community medical clinic in 2004 and they named it after her, “The Nancy Lund Clinic." I didn’t know she had befriended and served alongside Meg Boren, a nurse from Wisconsin and the founder of COE. At Nancy’s memorial service I had the honor and privilege of meeting Meg, who had traveled all the way from Nicaragua to honor Nancy and speak at her service. I was greatly impacted by this woman from WI, who in 2002 sold everything she owned and moved to a 3rd world country to serve those less fortunate than herself, and we became friends.
Like my Aunt Nancy, I have a heart for volunteering and serving. I have also discovered my passion for mission work abroad. During 2014 and 2015 I travelled to Port Au Prince, Haiti with my church to build a new orphanage for the 30 children we sponsor and feed each month. My aunt had previously sponsored two students, ErLinda and Jaxon, through COE and for the past two years I have been blessed to build on that relationship and continue to sponsor them. Sponsorship ensures that they have school clothing, supplies and transportation so they can pursue their education and have a brighter future.
In February 2016, I will follow in my aunt’s footsteps and travel to Nicaragua, finally get to meet my two students and visit the clinic she built. I’m excited to volunteer my time and energy helping with minor construction, repair and whatever needs to be done and to experience first-hand the beautiful country and its people. My aunt Nancy is gone, but her legacy lives on through the clinic and the lives she helps to heal and enrich. My personal goal is to carry forth and continue Nancy’s legacy – to be a light of hope and joy for the people of Aposentillo!"
- Tami Zimmerman
"My connection to Nicaragua …
Growing up, I thought I knew who my Aunt Nancy was. She was a pediatrician in private practice, had retired early, attended seminary, was quiet, reserved and had diabetes. I knew she was a social activist, her car was covered in cool bumper stickers and she sent me Christmas cards informing me that 25 chickens or a cow had been donated in my name!
But until her death in 2013, I never really knew what made her tick or where her heart and passion lay. It was during preparation for her memorial service I learned she was a philanthropist who dedicated her time and money to various organizations. One of those organizations was Circle of Empowerment (COE), a grass roots outreach community program in Aposentillo, Nicaragua, serving nine rural communities with a population of over 6,000. She partnered with COE to demonstrate the love of God by empowering the Nicaraguan people through health, education and economic development. She traveled there regularly, providing free medical care and education. She built a community medical clinic in 2004 and they named it after her, “The Nancy Lund Clinic." I didn’t know she had befriended and served alongside Meg Boren, a nurse from Wisconsin and the founder of COE. At Nancy’s memorial service I had the honor and privilege of meeting Meg, who had traveled all the way from Nicaragua to honor Nancy and speak at her service. I was greatly impacted by this woman from WI, who in 2002 sold everything she owned and moved to a 3rd world country to serve those less fortunate than herself, and we became friends.
Like my Aunt Nancy, I have a heart for volunteering and serving. I have also discovered my passion for mission work abroad. During 2014 and 2015 I travelled to Port Au Prince, Haiti with my church to build a new orphanage for the 30 children we sponsor and feed each month. My aunt had previously sponsored two students, ErLinda and Jaxon, through COE and for the past two years I have been blessed to build on that relationship and continue to sponsor them. Sponsorship ensures that they have school clothing, supplies and transportation so they can pursue their education and have a brighter future.
In February 2016, I will follow in my aunt’s footsteps and travel to Nicaragua, finally get to meet my two students and visit the clinic she built. I’m excited to volunteer my time and energy helping with minor construction, repair and whatever needs to be done and to experience first-hand the beautiful country and its people. My aunt Nancy is gone, but her legacy lives on through the clinic and the lives she helps to heal and enrich. My personal goal is to carry forth and continue Nancy’s legacy – to be a light of hope and joy for the people of Aposentillo!"
- Tami Zimmerman
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