Zambia has the highest orphan rate in the entire world, one of the lowest life expectancies, and one of the highest AIDS infection rates. For these reasons and so many more, I have been doing mission work in Lusaka, Zambia since 2011. For five years, I have been counseling the same group of 12 boys. To say it has been a life-changing experience would be an understatement.

Let's be honest: Africa gets a bad rap. It has a negative reputation for being scary, dangerous, and unclean. In some cases, this can be true. However, Zambia is not scary. It is not dangerous. It has changed my heart more than any other place, person, or thing in the whole world.These are the things that Zambia has taught me.

1. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

I learned this one as I listened to a 10 year old boy with no parents and living with an abusive aunt pray for our lunch, thanking the Lord for his friends, food, and the people who love him.

2. Never underestimate the power of prayer.

I don't think the bible was being facetious when it said that faith has the power to move mountains. I especially believe it after watching how the people of Zambia pray with such emotion and conviction. It's powerful. Don't put Jesus in a box.

3. Just because your pain isn't as bad as someone else's, doesn't mean it hurts any less.

I learned this as I shared my testimony with my little guys, I tried to fight back tears when one of the older boys in my group grabbed my hand and when I finished talking he looked and said, "I'm sorry you were sad, may we pray for you?" And all 12 of my Zambian boys laid their hands on me and prayed.

4. You should always, always dance. Especially if you aren't any good.

Dancing is a universal love language, and if you're good at it, cool. If you dance like me, at least you'll make someone laugh.

5. A good hug can fix almost anything.

I have worked with kids who are almost not there. Physically, they're sitting right next to you; but there's no emotion, no smiles, nothing. They won't look you in the eye, talk, or anything. I have come to learn with almost all kids like this, if you scoop them up, hug them tightly into you, and pray until the point of tears for the child, they will eventually hug you back and it will change things. They need to know that they are loved. We all do.

6. No matter how small you are, you can make a difference.

Zambia recently celebrated its 50th birthday, and we have been telling our kids how they can be the next 50 years of their country, and let me tell you, it's powerful what these kids can accomplish.

7. Outfit choices literally do not matter.

The thing about living in poverty is that there is ZERO judgment on what you wear, and coming from America, where that's a big deal, you realize how incredibly stupid it is to judge someone based on their outward appearance and what they are wearing. You never know if those are the only clothes they have.

8. Always use hand sanitizer.

Love Africa. Hate germs.

9. A picture is really worth 1,000 words.

I could show you a picture of one little girl and all you would think it, "Aww, she's cute." But I can tell you that girl's name, age, siblings, where she came from, what she used to live in, how the air gets a little lighter when she laughs, and so much more.

10. You can go to change a place or its people, and leave being the one changed.

I am living proof of this.

11. It doesn't matter how dirty a kid's hand is, hold it. (then see #8)

One things about being a "muzungu" (white person) in Zambia is some people have never actually seen one in person, so if a little girl comes up to you and wants to just shake your hand, you best go in for a hug.

12. A small act of kindness can go a very long way.

A hug, a compliment, a letter; this isn't just in Africa, but everywhere. Kindness is contagious, and if we spent more time being nice to people, the world would be so much better.

13. Learn the culture of different places and embrace it.

This goes for anywhere you go: learn the culture and rock it.

14. Skin color means absolutely nothing where heart is involved.

The kids you meet in Zambia truly become your family. They use your last name, they call you (or your parents) "mom and dad."

15. If you've never heard God or experienced true closeness with Him, you can find Him in the heart of an orphan.

And trust me, you won't ever want to leave.