‘Responding to the call to walk with our neighbors in Christ, making
malaria history has captured the hearts and imaginations of faithful Lutherans across the country.’
ELCA Malaria Campaign] is filling gaps that would other- wise not be met, especially in remote communities where the government doesn’t always go,” she added. Lutheran church health
facilities are one strate- gic advantage. Clinics and hospitals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanza-
nia serve about 15 percent of that country’s population. Te Lutheran Church in Liberia’s Phebe Hospital is its country’s second-largest hospital. Lutheran hospitals and clinics are also key players in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Mozambique. In his visits to ELCA synods, Ambrose Moyo, former
presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, tells people that Lutheran churches are highly respected by the community and politicians. Respect means credibility. Governments trust that
churches will do what they promise. Residents listen to church-trained health workers who talk about malaria prevention and treatment—especially important when those measures break from tradition. Long-standing relationships may be most impor- tant of all. “Te ELCA Malaria Campaign grew out of
To combat malaria, Lutherans have … • Raised a penny per point on a college final exam. • Annoyed grown-ups with “noisy can” collections. • Gathered an offering in a New Jersey correctional facility. • Held “sleepunders” (sleeping under nets). • Collected and redeemed recyclables.
• Made lemonade, raised and sold potatoes, and thrown water balloons at pastors.
• Filled out NCAA “March Madness” tournament brackets.
• Plunged into icy lakes, climbed mountains, and run across Iowa and Colorado.
• Dished out meals in churches and homes.
• Exercised 89,654 minutes—one net for every 2,000 minutes exercised.
• Dyed and shaved your hair and dressed in mosquito costumes. • Played dodgeball, shot baskets and washed cars.
relationships between the ELCA and these churches that go back as many as 40 years,” Hacker said. “Previ- ous programs funded by ELCA World Hunger already existed and could be built upon.”
Integrating prevention and treatment Te ELCA Malaria Campaign supports the work of Lutheran churches and organizations in 13 countries. “Te programs in the southern Africa region were the first to begin,” Duerst said. “In some countries (South Sudan, Nigeria and Central African Republic) civil conflict has interfered with programming. Te ELCA
Children in Burure, Zimbabwe, put on a presentation at a Lutheran malaria site.
20 ELCA/RICH DUNCAN March 2015 19
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