A total of 134 Americans — doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants, dentists, optometrists, ministers and teachers — treated more than 17,000 patients this summer through Zambia Medical Mission.

Mobile clinics provided medical care in five villages in the African country where people have no access to comparable services, said Linda Gregerson of Namwianga Mission, Kalomo, which served as the home base for the effort. More than 90 Zambian workers served as support staff.

The mission also resulted in 202 baptisms, Gregerson said. The church development team at Namwianga is providing follow-up programs. Zambian church leader Daniel Mweemba said that three new congregations were planted as a result of the mission.

As the work continues in southern Africa, some church members are focusing on the west African country of Niger, where food shortages threaten thousands of lives.