Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi Africa - August 2015
Greetings from the Warm Heart of Africa! That is what people call Malawi where I live and work. Malawi is in the southern part of the African continent. During this school year I will be writing a monthly letter to you explaining about the work of the Lutheran Mobile Clinic.
Clinic begins early in the day. Our village workers begin by weighing the patients and preparing the clinic property. After we arrive with the staff and medications, a bell (usually a tire rim) is rung to assemble all the patients. A hymn is sung and then a devotion is given. This gathering provides spiritual comfort to our patients and an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work.
After devotion, an educational song and teaching are provided by one of our nurses. The teachings are related to common issues seen by our patients; for example, this month the teaching was on skin rashes. After the teaching, patients form lines by different doors leading into the building. We see patients that are sick with colds, malaria, rashes, and fevers. Some are sick because they do not have enough to eat. We also see women who are expecting a baby. Children who are infants to age 5 come to see us for wellness checks and vaccinations – the same ones you receive from your doctor.
Most days when I am at clinic I spend my time in our pharmacy department. It doesn’t require me to speak much Chichewa, the local language and it usually is one of the busiest areas of clinic. I fill pill bags with various medications that are given to our patients. In our pharmacy we have over 100 medications.
Unlike the U.S., here in Malawi, medication tablets are sorted and put into bags. Each bag has the image of a sunrise, midday sun, and then sunset. An X is marked under the correct image so the person knows when and how many tablets to take. Two Xs under a sunrise means two tablets early in the morning. Most of my day is spent hearing “M’mawa, masana, madzulo” which means “morning, afternoon, and evening”. We distribute the liquid medication and creams into the donated pill bottles for the patients to take home.
Regardless of the all the medications we provide, we will only be able to temporarily provide relief. The Great Physician provides true healing. We pray that the Holy Spirit will work within our patients to provide them an everlasting peace. Let us not forget the words of Psalm 103: 2-4 “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.“
Please keep the Central Africa Medical Mission and the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in your thoughts and prayers. And remember when you aren’t feeling well … seek out a physician, both earthly and spiritual!
I look forward to writing to you again in September,
In Christ,
Amanda Oswalt (Nurse in Charge)