The road to new opportunities

The mindset of so many is “What’s next?” or “What’s the next goal in my life?” The Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) has also been considering that same question: What’s next for CAMM? There are endless opportunities for CAMM to provide healthcare to those in need in Africa and even possibly outside of Africa. We know CAMM will never put our current clinics at risk in Malawi and Zambia, and we are staying true to our mission that CAMM is providing healthcare in support of gospel ministry. Therefore, new opportunities we consider in other countries must be supported by the local Lutheran churches in those countries.

This past week, I had the opportunity to travel to a potential new clinic site in Malawi. The drive was long, the road was bumpy, bridges were out and looked treacherous, but due diligence was needed to see if the site was feasible. While this location showed great need, CAMM needs to evaluate it considering the distance to nearby health clinics (government run or private), the distance our staff would need to travel to the location, cost, government rules to operate and how the local church would support the clinic (available water, Chimbudzsis aka bathrooms, and a covered building with adequate light).

The opportunities are endless when it comes to providing healthcare internationally. The need seems to always be there. While visiting we were in constant awe, especially in the remote villages, of the need for healthcare. We were told there are over 40 patients who have epilepsy who travel over 40 kilometers to the Msambo Clinic in Malawi to access the medications CAMM can provide on a monthly basis. We saw our staff treat a little baby struggling to breathe due to pneumonia. We saw a woman suffering from asthma that came to our clinic for a steroid shot that she may need on a monthly basis. Earlier this spring, we saw an additional 400 patients in one day for malaria because the nearby government clinic ran out of medications. The need is constant.

In February 2025, the Central Africa Medical Mission, along with the Board of World Missions, One Africa Team, Christian Aid & Relief, and the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ-Kenya will once again host a short-term five day clinic just outside of Nairobi. Although this isn’t a new clinic opportunity, for the first time we plan to take five volunteers from the United States who are not part of the CAMM committee, but who have previously applied as volunteers to help run the short-term medical clinic. These volunteers will assist local medical staff with diabetes screening, blood pressure screenings, and outpatient care. CAMM would love to continue to look at the possibility to take volunteers to future locations.

The opportunities for CAMM to serve are endless, and the path that CAMM should take next seems to have many different routes, but in Proverbs 16:9 we hear, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We must trust in the Lord that he will lead us down the right road to serve Him. We will continue to pray and look for God’s help as we evaluate these new requests from the local churches in other countries in Africa. We know God will point us in the right direction and support us as we serve Him.

Written by Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission chair.

Subscribe to future Missions Blogs at wels.net/subscribe.