“Our purpose is to build the Church.” Unified under this call, Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM) organized a short-term medical camp from February 10-14, 2026, in Chabera, Kenya. Field Director/Executive Director Kate Wood and retiring Field Director Gary Evans led six WELS volunteers, coordinated with the leadership of the African Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), engaged LCMC church volunteers, and partnered with the Kenyan Health District in the third “pop-up” medical camp in Kenya. The first medical camp in the underserved Chabera area drew just shy of 2,400 children, women, and men in five days, many arriving by foot, and some by motorcycle taxi traveling up to five kilometers (about 3.12 miles) for free medical services, medical screening, and medication.
“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Our core team of 12 “strands” included Paul Mboya, John Michoro, Pastor Sammy Mwangi, Bishop Onunda, and eight CAMM representatives from America and England. We flourished, unbroken, relying on collective strengths to witness God’s amazing provision in cross-cultural relationships and in Kenya’s rainy season, which arrived early, stirring up sticky, red mud. We weathered communication lapses that can happen when diverse cultures work together and faced a myriad of opportunities to meet the daily surprises, to us, unexpected, but God-undaunted! Creatively, we pivoted to address dwindling medicine supplies, giving urgent IV support when we lacked equipment, and transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital. We bonded in God’s diverse, resourced family!
“His mercies are new every morning.” The LCMC advertised the medical camp through flyers, word of mouth, and a couple of large banners at crossroads in the community. Kenyan medical professionals provided screening, consultation, and education, assisted by CAMM volunteers. The LCMC staged large event tents, acquired plastic outdoor chairs, and designated pathways with red twine to guide people through the camp for services. Every patient received a gospel-based welcome, a printed booklet to take home, and often, individualized prayer. Witnessing a pastor kneel and place his hands on the patient to pray framed possibilities for complete healing. When wind upended one tent, and pouring rain carved a stream through the pharmacy tent, God’s people scrambled and showed up with many hands and hearts to ensure everyone’s safety, righting chairs, and filling troughs with stone. We experienced God’s new mercies every day in Africa and hold fast to his mercy in deeper ways as we return home.
“Read your bible, pray every day if you want to grow.” Simple lyrics Chabera’s church children sang during a three-hour worship service, lyrics that set the tone and rang through camp every day. The song welcomed ten first-time visitors the Sunday we worshiped together, and welcomed patients, young and old. Singing, beautified with hand motions, became our anthem, sparking God’s love and faithfulness despite fatigue, uncertainty, and at times, frustration. Pray for the Chabera church and community and stay tuned to see how God continues to bless them.
Written by Kate Wood, Field Director/Executive Director Central Africa Medical Mission
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