“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”.
1 Peter 5:7
We come once again to the end of summer. I hope you found time to enjoy a change of pace and a little more time to relax and enjoy God’s creation.
As I send my kids off to the start of a new school year, particularly in light of the tragic events at Annunciation Catholic School, in Minneapolis, MN, I am reminded of the need to trust in the Lord. “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” This verse directly tells believers to transfer their burdens and worries to God, who has a deep care for them. 1 Peter 5:7
I pray that each of you can find peace in God’s strength even in times of trouble and confusion.
It was my pleasure to write the September newsletter upon my return from a visit to both of our CAMM clinics in Zambia and Malawi. Continue to pray for CAMM, the staff, and the work that God is allowing us to do in Africa.
Thank you for your continued support of CAMM.
God’s Blessing,
Stephanie Otto
cwc.camm@gmail.com
Contact Women Coordinator
CAMM.US
Facebook: facebook.com/CAMM.WELS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/central_africa_medical_mission/
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
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
Post office adventures and other updates from the field
This past August, I had the privilege to travel to both Malawi and Zambia to visit our CAMM clinics, meet the medical and administrative staff, and visit with the people being served in these areas. I observed dedicated staff who have been blessed with hearts of service for the Lord and deeply care for the health of the community. One of my objectives during my visit was to get to the bottom of some most common questions I receive from our Contact Women around the US.
Where is my package and why does it take so long to arrive at the clinic?
This is very likely the most common question I receive from Contact Women. Upon my arrival in Malawi, one of my first questions for Lusungu Mwambeye, the Clinic Administrator at the Lutheran Mobile Clinic was, can we visit the Post Office? In Malawi, packages are not delivered directly to the property where the ambulance is packed up each day to travel out to each of the mobile clinic sites. Rather, staff make regular visits to the Post Office to check to see if any packages have cleared Customs and are ready to be picked up. Lusungu tries to get to the Post Office once each week if possible. Once at the Post Office, she checks the clinic’s box for a notification of packages and often is sent to another window around the back of the office for the actual pickup process. As you can see from the picture, this particular day, we picked up a number of packages. It was fun to see many of your names and addresses from the US. After packages are brought back to the Mobile Clinic Office site, they are opened and the content is recorded in a report which is then sent to me each month. After this, I am able to notify you that your package has safely arrived. As you can see, the process is quite a bit different from what we experience here in the US and often takes longer. The process is very similar in Zambia
Left: Stephanie Otto, CAMM Contact Women Coordinator in Malawi Right: Stephanie Otto and Alisad Banda who serves as the Clinic Administrator at the Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre in Zambia
One additional question I receive often is whether or not CAMM is charged for receipt of packages and the answer is yes. In Malawi, CAMM is charged about $1.00 for each package and in Zambia the charges are based on weight and often amount to about $2-3 per package. Many of our Contact Women wonder if the charges are related to the value that is declared on the shipping documents and the answer to that is currently no.
So keep the packages coming and pray for patience. They are arriving safely and are being put to quick use at each of the clinics.
God’s Hand at Work
During my visit to the Mobile Clinic in Malawi and the clinic in Zambia I was filled with comfort and joy as I observed the hard work and dedication of the staff and watched as the items our Contact Women have lovingly packaged and sent were put to good use. Families traveled on foot with young children and older relatives to be cared for each day. Each day began with the word of God and everyone waited with such patience for the medical attention they needed. The staff found joy in their purpose and never complained about the work that God had called them to do each day. It was an inspiration to witness and a reminder for me to be every thankful for the blessings God has showered on this important mission field.
Closing thoughts
It was nothing less than a privilege to travel and visit our CAMM Clinics. I am so thankful for all that our Contact Women, LWMS and ladies groups do to support this work. Your packages, prayers, and gift are so needed and you are making a difference.
Thank you for all that you do to support CAMM.
Yours in Christ,
Stephanie Otto
CAMM Contact Women Coordinator
