12 Dec December 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to December,
As we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, I invite you to take a moment and reflect on all of the ways that God has prepared you and provided for you, opportunities to serve Him. Maybe God has gifted you with the ability to teach or offer music to engage our emotions during worship. Some of you are surrounded by people who need your encouraging words and prayers. There are so many ways, big and small, that we work together for Christ and His church. I might encourage you to think about the women in your life who might enjoy joining the Contact Women network and sharing the news of the wonderful work of CAMM with others. Whatever it is, take a moment and say thank you to God for where He has put you and the work He has put in front of you.
Our December newsletter was written by our CAMM Chairwoman, Angela Sievert and summarizes the great work of CAMM and the ways God has blessed this work. Please continue to keep CAMM in your prayers and thank God for the staff in Africa as well as the individuals receiving care.
If you are looking for project ideas for your churches or reminders about shipping guidelines, be sure to visit the CAMM website at CAMM.us. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to reach out at cwc.camm@gmail.com
God’s Blessing Stephanie Otto
Contact Women Coordinator
PSALM 117:1-2: "PRAISE THE LORD, ALL YOU NATIONS! WORSHIP HIM, ALL YOU PEOPLES! BECAUSE GOD'S FAITHFUL LOVE TOWARD US IS STRONG. THE LORD'S FAITHFULNESS LASTS FOREVER!
REFLECTIONS ON OUR BLESSINGS
This Bible verse certainly describes the work of the Central Africa Medical Mission in 2023. God’s faithful love has been strong toward both of our clinics in Zambia and Malawi. God’s blessings have reached the staff and patients in countless ways; they have been abounding! And we thank and praise Him for His love and faithfulness.
CARE OF PATIENTS:
In 2023, we saw over 70,000 patients. The patients came for physical healing or preventative care and we were able to provide treatment, medications, testing, and health education. At the beginning of 2023, we were challenged with the thought that cholera would continue to spread and possibly create a pandemic. Thankfully, this was not the case and it quickly receded. HIV rates have chronically been high in the past several years. By God’s grace, while testing at our clinic sites has been increasing, the number of positive HIV tests has been decreasing. Staff continues to educate and test visitors at the clinics. At the Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre in Zambia, the clinic continues to be recognized by the Zambian government for exemplary care.
CLINIC LOCATIONS:
By the blessing of God, all our clinic sites were remodeled and have been in full use in 2023. The improvements in lighting, privacy and safety not only help patient care but also give Staff a safer and more enjoyable place to work. During the COVID epidemic, CAMM placed hand sanitizing stations at each of the clinics and grass fencing at the Malawi clinic sites. These remain in place for the patients and staff to use because they are good practices to promote hygiene at the clinics. In Zambia, we were blessed with generous donations this year so that we could install permanent metal fencing around our clinic. The fencing was needed to keep livestock and goats out of the clinic buildings. It has now been successfully installed, is effective in banning the livestock from the clinic buildings, and the grass around the clinic has started to grow back.
STAFF:
We are grateful for the staff that CAMM has been able to employ. From the guards and drivers to the nurses, clinicians, laboratory technicians and midwives, everyone is critical to the work that CAMM is doing. We have 14 employees in Zambia and 17 employees in Malawi. We also have church and government volunteers that help us every day. We are thankful for the care they give to patients, and for treating patients in a Christian manner with respect and dignity in support of the mission of CAMM to provide “Christ–Centered Healthcare Supporting Gospel Ministry“.
EXPANSION:
In 2023, we were given the green light to explore expansion opportunities for clinic care. The expansion could include new sites within the countries of Malawi and Zambia or in an entirely new country. There are many factors to consider when looking at a site for expansion. One of the most critical is to have the support of a Lutheran church body in fellowship with the WELS at the site. With the aid of WELS Board of Missions, WELS Christian Aid and Relief, and the Lutheran Church of Kenya, we are making plans to hold a 5- day short-term clinic in Kenya in February of 2024. What an amazing opportunity to be able to heal the physical needs of the Kenyan people, while also filling their souls with spiritual guidance!
GRATITUDE:
It would not be possible for the Central Africa Medical Mission to carry out our work for over 60 years without our faithful and generous supporters:
- Your interest in staying informed with presentations, requests for promotional materials, and emails keeps the mission of CAMM present in your congregations, schools, social circles and church groups.
- The continued monetary support all of you promote by sharing information about the needs of CAMM.
- The boxes of medical supplies and clothes you carefully gather, package and ship to Zambia and Malawi.
- God hears your many prayers for the continued success of CAMM, the continued care of our patients and staff, the safety of the countries we are located in, and prayers for the expansion into Kenya in 2024. May HE continue to bless CAMM every day!
While reflecting on the past year, we are reminded that God’s faithfulness does last forever! Let us all worship and praise Him for our many blessings!
Have a blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior!
Angela Sievert
Central Africa Medical Mission Chair
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