Dr. Benedicto Mwang’onda
General Surgery Resident
Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre
Tanzania
When Dr. Benedicto Mwang’onda first chose medicine, he admits it was for the title. “I wanted to be respected”. However, as he became more immersed in medicine he could feel God’s hand. He realized that this was a way to serve God, by helping those who can’t help themselves. In Tanzania, like many parts of Africa, there is a deep need for well-trained surgeons. Since joining the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), God has made that calling even clearer. Now, Dr. Mwang’onda is pursuing his passion for surgery, growing spiritually in ways he never expected, and truly putting his reliance on God daily.
As a second-year resident in the general surgery program at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Tanzania, Dr. Mwang’onda is seeing significant growth in himself. At times that program is demanding, but he has seen great improvements in both his surgical and clinical skills. Additionally, the spiritual discipleship is drawing him closer to God, along with his brothers and sisters in Christ. He is gaining a better understanding of scripture and applying it to his daily life.
Prayer is a part of his daily routine. He has begun reciting bible verses when attending his patients and is becoming more comfortable praying with them and their families. PAACS is truly shaping him into the surgeon that he is today. “My faith journey through PAACS has made me understand the limit of human understanding and appreciate the greatness of our Lord. It has molded me to approach patients with dignity and humility as well as to treat my colleagues with kindness and love.”
One night while Dr. Mwang’onda was on call, he truly felt God performing miracles. After a long day he was continuing with a 12-hour night shift when he received a call from the emergency department. There was a 32-year-old woman in labor. She had travelled over eight hours to ALMC and had two previous Cesareans. He remembers pausing in the corridor before going into the operating theater. His PAACS training and discipleship prepared him to rely on God from the very first step. He prayed for the Lord to make this simple because he knew the adhesions could be troublesome during another surgical procedure. His prayers were answered; the operation went smoothly. It was as if they were the very first ones to operate on her. Also, to their surprise, they delivered healthy twins!
That night reaffirmed what Dr. Mwang’onda is learning each day through PAACS. Surgery is a way to rely on God. With every patient, in every prayer, and in every moment of uncertainty, he is learning to put his trust in God first. While he originally set out for recognition as a doctor, he now sees surgery as a way to glorify God. Dr. Mwang’onda is becoming the kind of surgeon Tanzania needs. One that is skilled, compassionate, and rooted in Christ.
