Missionary Trip Changes the Way One Channahon Girl Views Life

Shannon McCabe, 17, Minooka Community High School 2011 Graduate

Shannon McCabe spent every moment she could with Jomie, a two-year old boy from a Zambian village. She also became close friends with Edward, a 22-year-old Zambian from a church youth group.

McCabe’s experiences and friendships were created last month during a missionary trip to the Talston Church, located in Zambia, Africa. She accompanied her aunt and uncle and other church members from their Michigan church.

“I spent lots of time with the children at the local church and played games with them,” McCabe said. “Jomie was a cute, special boy that I wanted to take home. Edward was always at church and I learned a lot from him.”

While McCabe enjoyed her time with the youth groups, members of her missionary group assisted in constructing a school in the village. McCabe said when she wasn’t with the youth, she would lend a hand by digging holes for where trees were to be planted and helped unload trucks that delivered construction materials.

Volunteers completed the structure and outside details of the building during McCabe’s stay. More volunteers will begin to work on the inside.

During her stay in Africa, McCabe said she was able to venture into town to the markets. There she learned the art of bartering. She escaped to Livingstone, where she had the opportunity to see the one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; Victoria Falls. 

Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

McCabe said that she definitely wants to return to Zambia next summer and stay for a longer period of time. After college, McCabe wants to work and live there for a couple years.

“Traveling to Africa has been my greatest accomplishment in life,” McCabe said. “This experience made me appreciate everything I have more, made me more humble and a nicer person. The people here are wonderful. They are the most joyful people. They don’t complain about everything. After I came home, I didn’t feel that I had anything to complain about ever again.”

McCabe’s nature of helping and caring has her career path heading in the direction of working in the medical field. In about a week, she will be attending Northern Illinois University where she plans to enroll in the nursing program.

“I always wanted to go into the medical field,” McCabe said. “I have always looked up to them (nurses) and wanted to help people like they do.”

Boston Market in Joliet will be loosing a valuable employee while McCabe is away at college, but she said she will keep busy with her studies, join nursing organizations on campus and find a church on campus to attend and become involved in.

One day, McCabe would love to sit down with the President of the United States and talk to him or her about how they are capable to run our country.

“I like learning about history and politics of out country, as well as other countries too,” McCabe said. “However, there is no future for me as a politician.”

In the meantime, she will just listen to the good advice and words of wisdom her Aunt Claudia gives.

“She’s really a forgiving and generous person,” McCabe said. “She always has the right words you want to hear.”