Happy April,
This month’s newsletter was written by a collection of people who recently participated in the Short Term Medical Camp in Kenya put on by CAMM. The CAMM Chabera volunteers Asante Sana, Janet McElvaine, Beth Evans, Pam Geidel, Katie Matloff, Nola Pallot, and Suzanne Schmidt all contributed to the newsletter. I hope you enjoy hearing about the work they did for God’s people in Kenya. What an inspiring example of unique ways we can care for each other and serve God’s church.
Thank you for your continued prayers on behalf of CAMM.
God’s Blessing, Stephanie Otto
cwc.camm@gmail.com Contact Women Coordinator
CAMM.US
Facebook: facebook.com/CAMM.WELS
Current needs for supplies in Malawi.
Short and long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts (24
months – 4T)
Sun hats (infant – adult)
Onesies (12 months – 2T)
Athletic pants/leggings (12 months – 4T)
Baby receiving blankets, socks, and hats
Sunscreen lotion (SPF 50)
Knitted/winter hats (infant – adult)
1 and 2 gallon Ziploc bags
Baby bottles
*Malawi is not able to accept pill bottles at this time.
ADDRESS BOXES FOR MALAWI
LUTHERAN MOBILE CLINIC
P.O. Box 30339
Lilongwe 3, Malawi, AFRICA
Current needs for supplies in Zambia.
Baby receiving blankets, socks, and hats
Baby blankets of any kind
Sunscreen lotion (SPF 50)
AA batteries (dry cell not lithium)
1 and 2 gallon Ziploc bags
ADDRESS BOXES FOR ZAMBIA
LUTHERAN MISSION RURAL HEALTH CENTER
(Mwembezhi)
P.O. Box 310005
Chelston, Lusaka, Zambia, AFRICA
Additional shipping information and tips can be
found on our website at www.camm.us/howtohelp/
MONETARY Donations:
Check (Payable to Central Africa
Medical Mission) Mailed to
WELS Gift Processing
N16 W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
Waukesha WI 53188
Donate online: www.camm.us/donate-to-camm
KARIBU KENYA – WELCOME TO KENYA
“Our purpose is to build the Church.” Unified under this call, CAMM organized a short-term medical camp from February 10th to 14th in Chabera, Kenya. Kate Wood, Field Director/Executive Director, and retiring Field Director, Gary Evans, led 6 WELS volunteers, coordinated with the African Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) leadership, engaged LCMC church volunteers, and partnered with the Kenyan Health District in the third “pop-up” medical camp in Kenya. The first medical camp in the underserved Chabera area drew just shy of 2,400 children, women, and men in 5 days, many arriving by foot and some by motorcycle taxi traveling up to 5 kilometers for free medical services, medical screening, and medication.
“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Our core team of 12 “strands” included Paul Mboya, John Michoro, Pastor Sammy Mwangi, Bishop Onunda, and 8 CAMM representatives from America and England. We flourished, unbroken, relying on collective strengths to witness God’s amazing provision in Kenya’s rainy season, which arrived early, stirring up sticky, red mud, and in cross-cultural relationships. We weathered communication lapses that can happen when diverse cultures work together and faced myriad opportunities to meet the daily surprises – surprises to us; God undaunted! Creatively, we pivoted to address dwindling medicine supplies, giving urgent IV support when we lacked equipment, and transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital. We bonded in God’s diverse, resourced family!
“His mercies are new every morning.” The LCMC advertised the medical camp through flyers, word of mouth, and a couple of large banners at crossroads in the community. Kenyan medical professionals provided screening, consultation, and education, assisted by CAMM volunteers. The LCMC staged large event tents, acquired plastic outdoor chairs, and designated pathways with red twine to guide people through the camp for services. Every patient received a gospel based welcome, a printed booklet to take home, and often individualized prayer. Witnessing a pastor kneel and place his hands on the patient to pray, framed possibilities for complete healing. When wind upended a tent and pouring rain carved a stream through the pharmacy tent, God’s people scrambled and showed up with many hands and hearts to ensure everyone’s safety, righted chairs, and filled troughs with stone. We experienced God’s mercies every day in Africa and hold fast to His mercy in deeper ways as we return home.
“Read your bible, pray every day if you want to grow.” Simple lyrics sung by Chabera’s church children during a three-hour worship service set the tone and rang through camp every day. The song welcomed 10 first-time visitors the Sunday we worshiped together, and welcomed patients, young and old. Singing, beautified with hand motions, became our anthem, sparking God’s love and faithfulness through fatigue, uncertainty, and at times, frustration. Pray for the Chabera church and community, and stay tuned to see how God continues to bless them. Check out the CAMM’s website and Facebook page for wonderful pictures that words cannot capture. Our hearts are with the people of Kenya!
Asante sana from the CAMM Chabera volunteers,
Janet McElvaine, together with Beth Evans, Pam Geidel, Katie Matloff, Nola Pallot, and Suzanne Schmidt
