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Oklahoma Christian University alumna Meagan Hawley will receive the Distinguished Young Alumna Award for her work at the Namwianga Mission in Zambia, Africa.
While at Oklahoma Christian, Hawley participated in a trip to Uganda with Director of the Center for Global Missions, Ben Langford. After receiving her degree in English education, Hawley taught for Summit Middle School for four years before taking her place as the medical advocate for the Namwianga Mission in Kalomo, Zambia, Africa.
“I’m honored that OC chose to give me this award,” Hawley said. “I also feel completely undeserving of the attention. I meet people every day doing their part to help the world be a brighter place and to serve Jesus by loving his children. I’m just one of many trying to do the same.”
According to Hawley’s cousin, senior Emily Kurt, Hawley is very active in her mission in Zambia.
“[Hawley] ended up in Africa for a year and a half before coming back to the states for a little while,” Kurt said. “She then went back last summer. She has a contract to be there for five years … in an orphanage there. Somehow she ended up in Zambia working with street boys; it didn’t work out well and she found this orphanage in Zambia.”
The orphanage where Hawley works is composed of three different houses, ranging from newborns to four years of age with an additional house for sick babies. As the medical advocate for the children, Hawley makes sure that the babies are getting the care, both developmentally and physically, that they need.
“We keep children whose mothers have died until we can get them placed back with their extended families or another safe option,” Hawley said. “I also help to train the aunties in child development and keep up with the developmental needs of our children.”
As any missionary will attest, leaving a comfortable home for even a small amount of time is difficult. Leaving behind family, friends, livelihood and life to go and make a difference can be even more challenging. Hawley understood what she was committing to and knew that this was what God was leading her to do.
“The decision I made a long time ago to follow God meant that I would be prepared to go where he sent me and do what he asked of me, and for now that means I’m in Zambia,” Hawley said. “I guess every day I still reaffirm that decision to let him be in charge of my days, my thoughts and my actions.”
Hawley shares advice for anyone feeling led to the mission field, wherever that might be.
“If you want to go, go,” Hawley said. “Let God have control over your heart, your gifts and your desires and allow him to lead you where he’d like to use you. It’s not an easy road, but it’s incredible to watch him use sinners like us to touch people in the name of Jesus.”
Not only does Hawley recognize the impact that God has had in her work but she also attributes success to her education at Oklahoma Christian .
“Scott LaMascus made a significant impact in my life,” Hawley said. “He encouraged me, built me up, and made me truly believe that I was capable of doing anything I wanted to do. I loved sitting in his classes and learning from such a knowledgeable yet humble man. I also loved every class I had with Robyn Miller. She made me into such a better teacher than I think I would have been without her influence, wisdom and instruction.”
Vice President of Academic Affairs Scott LaMascus shared a few words on his experience having Hawley in the classroom.
“I’m pretty sure none of us envisioned how the next stage of Meagan’s work would develop, and I am so impressed by her global focus on making an impact in the lives of children,” LaMascus said. “By focusing on children, she is shaping the future and making a deep impression on those lives and on all of us who are watching and praying for her.”
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