2022 LWMS Fall Rally Letter
“Thankful for Updates—It’s easy to get wrapped up in your own congregation or ministry efforts, but it’s a blessing to get updates about the other ministries going on in your congregation, synod, and world fellowship. It’s encouraging to hear how God is blessing a new mission. It’s valuable to visit with someone from a neighboring congregation to learn about the triumphs and struggles they are experiencing. Updates are a blessing, and the best updates are the ones that get to the heart of ministry-sharing the Word of God with those we serve so that the Holy Spirit may create the gift of faith in their hearts. Lord God, thank you for the opportunities to share burdens and celebrate joys that come through updates, which keep us informed on the work being done in your kingdom. Amen. Romans 10:17 “Consequently faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” The above was from a devotion in the Meditations book on July 21, 2022. All credit to the person who wrote it. When I read it, it reminded me of the joy I find in the CAMM updates where we hear the joys, trials, challenges and blessings as God’s mission is carried out in Malawi and Zambia. (also visit: camm.us or facebook.com/camm.wels/) At rallies such as this, we have the privilege to hear of mission work being carried out all around the U.S. and world and we have the blessing of being able to support it with our actions, gifts and prayers. Don’t ever lose the zeal to do this work God allows us to share in. Below you will find the latest updates from the CAMM Field Director and both field’s clinic administrators.
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Gary Evans – Field Director CAMM
As of late June, this year all day-to-day operations in Zambia and Malawi are being managed by our African Field Staff. Please pray for these leaders as they work hard to provide quality Christ centered health care and make sure our patients not only hear the word of God but see Christian love through the actions and attitudes of our staff.
In Zambia, as Alisad mentions in his letter, the clinic recently scored a 93.6 out of 100 in a recent quality inspection by the Health Professional Council of Zambia. One or two more minor improvements and Mwembezhi will be regarded as a Centre of Excellence. In Malawi Lusungu and Violet have taken to their new roles and are doing well. They recently hired a clinical officer who we hope will improve the quality of our outpatient care.
Like folks in the US, we continue to struggle with high inflation rates. A litre of fuel in Malawi is now around $2.00 or $7.00 per gallon. In Malawi and Zambia, we have seen medications cost almost triple over the last year or two. As fuel and Medications are significant portions of our budget, we very much appreciate all of your donations and pray for your continued support as we continue our mission to provide Christ Centered Health to our patents.
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Zambia News: By Alisad Banda – Zambia Clinic Administrator
On behalf of Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre (Mwembezhi) and staff, I would like to thank you for your generosity in donating money for the purchase of equipment and clinic amenities. Without your help, we would not have been able to buy all of the medical equipment and medicines in the clinic that are vital in detecting complications in the expecting mothers, newly born babies and other health related situations.
In the past 3 years we have been evaluated by the country’s regulatory body in line with standard at the clinic level and our overall score for 2022 is 93%. This achievement is attributed to all the donations that comes from the people of America through Central Africa Medical Mission team especially the women. Each year, we continue to receive the staff salaries, pill bottles, children’s cloths and financing for the drugs. All is done because of that special donation made by each one of you as individuals and congregations. We have counted on you in the success of the operations of this clinic. You have never disappointed us, and we truthfully declare that you are solely appreciated for a vast number of donations and for saving the lives in this part of Africa. Indeed, some patients are surviving today because of the treatment that they receive from the clinic because of every donation and gifts that you make.
To show our appreciation, we are putting it in writing in your honour through this letter. We are and remain grateful for all the gifts to the clinic, members of staff and our patients/clients.
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News and Updates from Malawi: By Lusungu Mwambeye – Malawi Clinic Administrator
July 2022 ended on a high note with the President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera presiding over the launch of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign at the end of a two-day National Anti-Corruption Conference that was held from 25 to 26 July in Blantyre. As a nation, we all agree that corruption is among the key factors that have stagnated our long-anticipated economic independence and well-being of all. It is my hope that the campaign will yield the much-needed results.
The ministry of health has initiated the third round of the supplementary immunization campaign against polio starting on the 11th of August and ending on the 14th of August 2022. During the campaign, the health workers will be moving house to house administering vaccines to ensure that every child is protected.
Covid 19 updates - the new cases have been hovering between the single and double digits for a couple of months now and most people have started leading normal life accepting covid 19 as a communicable disease that’s here to stay.
Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) considered recent trends in the world petroleum products prices and their impact on prices. MERA has recommended price for petrol MWK 1,946 per liter from MWK 1,999 per liter effective 6th August 2022. And the price for diesel remains the same at MWK 1,920 per liter.
In April 2022, one of the LMC clinicians Thokozani Chingana resigned stating her back problems could not allow her to continue with the mobile clinic as we travel on rough roads. We initiated a search for her replacement, and Bridget Victory Chisuse a Clinical Officer will replace Thoko and will start on 1st September 2022.
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If you or your congregation or church group is interested in a project to support needs/requests that the fields there have, please feel free to reach out to me via phone or email and I would be happy to provide a list of items they could use. We simply could not do what we do without all of you and your generosity of donations, both monetary and physical supplies. God uses so many of you, our supporters, to accomplish the work of His mission there in Malawi and Zambia.
There is also the need for Contact Women (CW) in many areas around the U.S. to help spread the CAMM message and updates via the monthly letters. If you are interested in finding out what the role involves, please get in touch with me. If you or your congregation do not see the monthly letter written by the CAMM fields, again please reach out to me and we can determine if your area is in need of a CW or simply a congregational contact for your church. It is my pleasure to discuss this means of staying on top of the latest CAMM updates with you. +
On behalf of the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) and the CAMM Stateside Committee, I thank God for all of you and your faithful support as we share Christ centered healthcare to the people we serve in Malawi and Zambia. To Him be the glory in this mission work!
Cheryl Valus, CAMM Contact Woman Coordinator
cwc.camm@gmail.com
810-287-8139
5230 Lin Hill Drive, Swartz Creek, MI 48473
Donations may be made by Check: Payable to Central Africa Medical Mission and Mailed to:
WELS Gift Processing
N16 W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha WI 53188
Or Donate to CAMM online @ www.camm.us/donate-to-camm