Moses was on his bike at sunup this morning, with his wife and child riding behind him. He pedaled for two hours on dirt footpaths through rolling hills to reach the village of Msambo, where the Lutheran Mobile Clinic is seeing patients today. His child has ringworm, and the Lutheran clinic in Msambo is the best bet for a cure since government-run hospitals rarely have medicines in stock.
But Moses has another task to perform. He is an elder in his church at the village of Thawale, where he reads sermons to people worshipping at the local LCCA congregation when the pastor is absent. Moses has the privilege of speaking a message from God’s word to the patients gathered in Msambo today. He has chosen Psalm 39 as his text: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is” (v4). Watch a video of Moses reading these verses in Chichewa at https://youtu.be/QLOByFGjY48
The average life expectancy in Malawi today is 64 years – about 15 years less than in the United States, but up considerably from the mid-40’s in the early 2000’s. AIDS, Malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections are the leading causes of death in Malawi. The consequences of mankind’s fall from grace are clearly evident here.
The treatment that the Lutheran Mobile Clinic provides is primarily preventative in nature. The development of expectant mothers and young children is monitored, patients are screened for malaria and children are given immunizations. Classes on nutrition and hygiene are taught and vitamins, food supplements and formula for orphans are distributed. Children under the age of 5 and pregnant women receive Vitamin A to support normal vision, and infants from 6 months to 2 years receive micronutrient supplements. The level of care is basic, but greatly appreciated by those who have nowhere else to turn.
On clinic days, the people line up to be seen on a first come, first serve basis. Adult patients pay a fee of 500 kwacha (about 75 cents, half a day’s wages) to be seen and receive treatment, including medicine. Expecting mothers pay a one-time fee of 500 kwacha and receive free prenatal exams thereafter. All pregnant women receive HIV testing and counseling, and tests for syphilis and anemia. The fee for children under the age of 5 is 300 kwacha. There are different stations for the exams of children and adults, and a room for private consultations. During the rainy season when malaria is endemic, clinic workers can see over 300 patients in a day.
The Bible urges us to do good to all people and especially our fellow Christians as we have the opportunity to put our Christian love into action (Gal. 6:10). Whether you live in a developing country or in the United States, your days are numbered by God. Make faithful use of the resources he has entrusted to you for this life, as you look forward to days without end.
The Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi is an arm of the Central African Medical Mission (CAMM), a subsidiary of WELS World Missions. This program is completely funded by private donors and groups, and not by Congregational Mission Offerings to the WELS. You can find out more about CAMM at http://www.camm.us/
