Our Days are Numbered by God

Moses and his family traveled 18 miles by bicycle to get to the clinic

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

Every week the Lutheran Mobile Clinic serves the local population in four villages in the Central Region of Malawi: Msambo, Thunga, Mwalaulomwe and Suzi

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.

Nurse Beth Evans oversees the Malawian staff of the Lutheran Mobile Clinic

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. 

This ambulance carries 11 people and all the needed supplies to clinic sites

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/