Welcome to July,
Summer is finally here and we have experienced some very hot days in Minnesota. A few weeks ago, we got the bad news that our air conditioning unit was no longer functional and needed to be replaced. Our family had to make due with open windows and sleepovers in the basement to stay cool. Our new unit is in and we are enjoying cool, dry air once again but while we waited for the installation of our new unit, I
had the opportunity to reflect on how much I took that comfort for granted.
This month’s newsletter was written by Alisad Banda. He writes about the blessing of the new ablution block that is currently being built at the clinic in Zambia an how excited the community is about this new addition. Another reminder for us to look around and thank God for all of the comforts we enjoy in our homes and communities.
Many of our supporters have helped make this a reality and it’s encouraging to see how God is using your gifts to bring more people closer to him through this project.
One quick reminder that we are still not able to accept pill bottles at the clinic in Malawi. The storage capacity is small and the staff have requested a little more time to work through the supply that they have. Other items listed here are still welcome in Malawi. If you have pill bottles, you can mail them to Zambia.
As always, feel free to reach out with any question you may have.
God’s Blessing,
Stephanie Otto
cwc.camm@gmail.com
Contact Women Coordinator
The Building Construction Leads People to Praise God
It is a wonderful blessing to be a staff member at a faith-based facility, specifically the Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre (Mwembezhi). It gives you a feeling of being encouraged in so many ways through the other staff members and by the people that come to the health center for health services.
The services provided by the health center can really be described as physical, social, emotional, and above all, spiritual care. Serving the human being in a holistic way has been made possible through many departments at the clinic, the leadership of the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM), the local leadership, members of staff, community leaders and the community members in the catchment area. It is so nice to hear community members praising God for the good work and Christian behavior of our staff members.
Recently, community members were not praising God for the work of our staff members providing service, but instead for the new ablution block currently under construction. It has become the talk of the people that visit the clinic, and one phrase we hear from many of them is “Leza alelekwe”, meaning that “May the Name of God be praised”. I started finding out why people were talking a lot about the ablution block. Someone told me that in the entire district, Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre is the first to have waterborne toilets. Indeed, “Let the name of God be praised!” The construction has brought a lot of interest in and praise for the clinic. It makes me wonder about the meaning of the scripture in Luke 19:40 that says “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out”. The people are praising God for the new ablution block structure, and it is so wonderful to hear such encouraging comments from the people coming to seek health services.
God’s name indeed has to be praised for the opportunity that He gives us to serve one another through our different gifts. CAMM, donors, local staff members, and community members all have played a role in fulfilling the scriptures that encourage Christians to carry each other’s burden. The friends of CAMM in the US have played a very big role through monetary contributions, the contribution of baby clothes, and notes and letters of encouragement to the members of staff. Our community speaks positively about the name of God.
People in the area near and far have come to praise God because of everything around the clinic, and the area has remained named “Mwembezhi”, or “Shepherd”, even years after the first gallant men and women came to serve as missionaries in the area. The clinic has attracted many people seeking health services because we provide not only physical help, but spiritual health and touches on emotional health.
In conclusion, the people coming to the clinic deliberately ask to hear the Word of God when they are emotionally low. Also, the Word of God is like the fuel that encourages laymen who are Lutheran members in many cases to be encouraged to serve with a heart of gratitude. Indeed God heals everything, and I am so delighted to share the news about the community members glorifying God through the construction of the ablution block.
Alisad Banda
Clinic Administrator – Zambia