Last month, my husband Gary and I visited Malawi and Zambia over 11 days, meeting with our leaders and staff and visiting clinics. This was my third trip to Africa in the three years since Gary and I returned to the United States. Gary had also been to Kenya to start preparations for our 2026 medical camp, and then joined me in Malawi. We stayed in the apartment adjoining the house in Lilongwe and were able to see just how our Clinic Administrator, Lusungu Mwambeye, is capably handling the challenges of running the Lutheran Mobile Clinic. One example is how she arranged for surveys to be done of all four of the clinic properties to obtain government leases and prevent people from encroaching on the properties. We were there for the monthly staff meeting, and saw everyone diligently working together on monthly inventory and statistics, so that Violet Chikwatu, Nurse in in Charge, could complete the government reports for May. Violet and Lusungu continue to work well together and keep things running smoothly.

Going out to the village clinics is always my favorite part of these visits. It was obvious that the many outpatients seen in a day reflected the recent higher numbers in our monthly reports. I noticed that some patients had been seen at local government clinics and prescribed medicine that they were told to obtain at our clinics, because those clinics didn’t have any. I observed the nurses at the pharmacy station calmly giving numerous injections and intravenous medications for children and adults who were seriously sick with pneumonia, asthma, and infections. There were several referrals to the hospital in Lilongwe. I saw in Violet’s record where in one day, eight patients were referred, mainly with severe pneumonia which is common in the cold season. These people depend on the preventative care and lifesaving treatment which the Lutheran Mobile Clinic provides. We are thankful that the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) is able to afford the essential medications, and that Violet works hard to find them in pharmacies around Lilongwe. Most importantly, we know that our patients also hear the soul-saving message of the gospel.

Moms waiting for the under-fives clinic

I was still impressed with how—despite seeing 150-200 patients along with the under-fives, antenatal, family planning, nutrition and HIV testing/counseling clients—the clinicians and nurses worked cheerfully and efficiently as a team. The same volunteers which helped us through COVID were still doing blood pressure checks, malaria tests, weights, and directing patients to the proper lines. Violet stepped in to help in whatever station she was needed. The nurse-midwives were happy to receive a new fetal doppler we had brought, to more easily hear the infant heartbeat of our antenatal clients.

One of the highlights at Msambo clinic was being able to see all five of the children with disabilities who still receive regular physical therapy, and their mothers. All are continuing to make progress in mobility or speech. One little girl named Lontira who was born with a very deformed spine and has had difficulty sitting, is waiting for surgery. Her mom told me she will go to a hospital in Blantyre when the specialists come to Malawi to do these complicated procedures. She is a member of the Lutheran church in Msambo. We pray for her brave mom, and for Lontira to have a successful surgery, which will improve her mobility.

After a busy week, we flew to Zambia. We spent time with Alisad Banda, Clinic Administrator, who drove us out to Mwembezhi for a day at the Lutheran Rural Health Center. The staff warmly welcomed us as they prepared for under-fives and diabetic clinic (pictured above). We spoke with Future Beloyi, our nurse who recently completed midwifery training. She was also happy to receive a new fetal doppler for use with antenatals. We also spoke with Muzundwase Chikwekwe, a nurse who would soon start her midwifery training for the next 18 months. The clinic will benefit from having two Lutheran nurse-midwives, with about 150 deliveries at clinic in the past year.

We met with Jackson Kalekwa, clinical officer in charge, and Anthony Kasonga, laboratory technician, to discuss topics like the need for more space for maternity patients and a separate laboratory area for TB patients. Anthony is the chairman at Martin Luther Church, adjacent to the clinic. We learned that he has been instrumental in growing church attendance to about 100 people each Sunday, including many clinic staff members, despite there being no permanent pastor. Alisad also holds Bible studies for staff on a regular basis. Crispin Chikonka, the clinic’s psychosocial counselor, gives a devotion for clinic attendees each morning. The clinic now has a second clinical officer, Samalani Nyirenda, who works as a clinician alongside Jackson. We were glad to meet him in person and know that he was a welcome addition to the team.

That’s the update from the field! Gary and I joined three other CAMM committee members in attending the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) Convention in Tulsa, Okalhoma, the last weekend of June. It was a joy to meet fellow CAMM supporters and speak with those who might be new to the medical mission. They have good questions and ideas for how to communicate about the mission and support our staff and patients. Thank you all so much for continuing to show your love for the work of CAMM and being faithful in prayer!

Written by Beth Evans, former nurse in charge for CAMM

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, from the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi as we faithfully serve the communities of Msambo, Suzi, Mwalaulomwe, and Thunga. This month has been marked by God’s continued provision as we maintain our weekly schedule: Tuesday visits to Msambo, Wednesday outreach to Suzi, Thursday services at Mwalaulomwe, and bi-weekly Friday visits to Thunga. Through these consistent efforts, we’ve provided essential outpatient care, nutrition support, HIV testing and counselling, antenatal care, and child growth monitoring to thousands of community members who might otherwise lack access to quality healthcare

It’s June 2025, which means we are halfway through the year! It feels like yesterday when we were celebrating the New Year. We are so grateful for God’s love through all these months. As we are halfway through the year, we are also at the end of CAMM’s fiscal year, and it’s time we reflected on the challenges and opportunities at personal, organizational, national, and global levels. We need to rethink development and global issues. Let us begin by reflecting on recent reductions to U.S. foreign aid, as well as aid from the United Kingdom and the European Union. This has affected many local and international NGOs and has led to aid programs being cut, often leaving little to no assistance for those in need.

At Lutheran Mobile Clinic, we used to benefit from the U.S. malaria initiative, from which we could receive malaria control, diagnosis, and treatment supplies. Most years we treat around 16,000 cases of malaria. Malaria can be particularly life threatening or disabling in children. Prior to the cuts to USAID, we received a good supply of malaria testing kits and the malaria drug we call LA. As the cuts to USAID went into effect, we saw the district hospital requests to ration supplies with other public hospitals who did not have malaria treatment supplies. We had plenty of supplies and were happy to share them with facilities who had little. To date we have not seen a sustainable plan from the Malawi government to provide malaria treatment supplies, and we fear we may have to purchase them from local pharmacies. We have also noted an increase in the number of patients at our clinics. The ability of public hospitals and clinics to provide medications has worsened, with little or no medication available and high prices for consultation and medications at private clinics. People prefer to wait for the Lutheran Mobile Clinic to provide care and medication that is affordable and available. As if this is not enough, Malawi’s poor credit has spiked the rate of inflation which was already around 15% before the credit troubles. The prices of goods and commodities are through the roof, including medications, which makes life very tough for people earning maybe $50 to $100 per month.

In as much as things are not good, we are grateful for how we have managed our expenses at the mobile clinic, and we expect to come in just under budget when our fiscal year ends in late June. As a country, we need to develop strategies and thoughts on the aid structure and how we are going to reduce dependency. We need serious social and economic independence and not just political independence. This makes us value the Lutheran Mobile Clinic’s social and economic efforts and the support that we have from you all in the U.S.

Our HIV testing and counseling services have shown remarkable progress across all four clinic sites, reflecting broader national trends as Malawi advances toward achieving the 95-95-95 HIV targets. The reduced stigma we’ve witnessed demonstrates God’s healing power working through dedicated service. These achievements embody Christ’s command in Matthew 10:8: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Our child growth monitoring and antenatal care programs have revealed both challenges and victories during this dry season, made possible through the generous support of our faithful donors. The funds you’ve provided have enabled us to purchase essential medical and nutrition supplies and maintain our vehicles for reliable community access, while your clothing donations have brought dignity and warmth to families facing economic hardship. Your donated pill bottles have proven invaluable for organizing medications and ensuring proper dosing for various conditions across all four clinic sites. As Proverbs 31:20 teaches us, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Your contributions have become instruments of his healing grace, enabling us to nurture life from conception through childhood and honor his precious gift at every stage.

May God bless you all for supporting the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM).

Written by Lusungu Mwambeye, clinic administrator at the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi