Trust in God, but tie your camel...

Over the years we have traveled to many countries and have had many adventures together. As independent “2nd class” travelers our adventures are not be planned by a travel agent, nor will it involve luxurious hotels or gourmet meals. At 81, we understand what's truly important and the real value of “experience” over “comfort.”

Our greatest joy is mingling with the locals. When you travel as independent travelers, nothing ever goes as planned, so fortunately, we share the same travel philosophy, an old Arab Proverb says it perfectly: “Trust in God, but tie your camel.” We have had many “travel crises,” but at least we haven’t been arrested, well… we have come close – more about that when we do some reminiscing.

Traveling with a physician and a photographer brings its own set of interesting situations. Dr. Sandy always insists we take a tablespoon of Pepto Bismol every morning, and Ellie, the photographer, insists we get up early for the perfect sunrise and stay late for the perfect sunset. When we reflect on the countries we have visited, we remember the magnificent architecture and the lovely countryside, but most memorable is the joy and emotion on the faces of the people.

As always, we dedicate all we do to the memory of the loves of our lives, Don and Kelly. We thank you both for encouraging us. We miss you and wish you were joining our adventure.

About Us

Eleanor Hamby

Sandra Hazelip, D.O

Ellie Hamby lives in Abilene, Texas and is an international documentary photographer. She has traveled to 107 countries and all seven continents “always with my camera at my side.” She speaks about photography and her photographs have been featured in magazines, brochures and exhibitions both in the United States and Africa. Her international business, Photos by Ellie, features her photographs on postcards, bookmarks, and note cards. Currently she serves as a Director of Zambia Medical Mission. This medical mission takes place in the country of Zambia every July and provides medical care in very remote areas to approximately 13,000 Zambians over a two-week period of time. Ellie maintains a home in Namwianga, Zambia and continues to return there several times each year to help oversee the work of Zambia Mission, which includes schools, a hospital, a radio station and several orphanages. She serves on the board of Zambia Mission. Ellie has three children who have blessed with grandchildren.

Sandra Hazelip, D.O

Dr. Sandy, as many of her patients call her, now limits her practice to patients who are residents in long term care facilities and hospice care. She enjoys the challenges of geriatric patients and feels the Lord has called her to work with the very frail and fragile patients who are in the “November and December” of their lives. She has served in the past as president of the Texas Geriatric Society. She currently serves as the Medical Director for Windcrest Health and Rehab and she is one of the physicians for Hospice of the Big Country. But Dr. Sandy wears other hats besides her “doctor” hat. She is a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She is also a widow. The love of her life, her husband, Don Hazelip, died 20 years ago. She is also a published author and lecturer and has spoken in the United States, China, Germany, Croatia, Romania, Russia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Zambia on women’s health issues. She also has participated in and taught Bible lessons for Ladies’ Retreats in those countries. One of her greatest joys has been the experience of taking her grandchildren on short term mission trips during the past 18 years to Zambia, Russia, China, Cambodia, and Romania. But let me give you fair warning, do not ask her about her four “youngest” grandchildren, who are all adopted from China, unless you have a lot of time to hear all about “how cute, smart, and wonderful they are.”