Dear friends,
Every organization and community thrives on the commitment of individuals. The congregation in Antioch grew because people sparked the curiosity of their neighbors. A new type of community emerged, comprised of both Greek- and Hebrew-speakers. For the first time, followers of Jesus were called “Christians.” Only later did leaders like Paul and Barnabas appear. While they became more prominent, the true driving force consisted of the local people who accomplished great things in the background. Something similar is currently happening in Shell. As previously reported, the residents living behind the hospital pooled their resources to fund and plan a new sewage system, taking charge of the technical planning themselves.
Recently, a visitor arrived from the Netherlands: Bert Jan de Voogd, an engineer and expert in photovoltaic systems. He had been planning his trip since February 2026, with the goal of evaluating the existing plans on-site to reach a comprehensive solution. He also brought funding, and within just over two weeks, a system was installed on the hospital roof—28 panels capable of supplying 16 kW, covering nearly half of our electricity needs.
Then came the question of how to secure the panels—should we drill into the hospital roof? That could lead to leaks. Instead, individual concrete blocks were placed on rubber pads on the roof. The panels were then connected into a system designed to withstand even strong winds. Once a decision is made, new ideas often follow—all thanks to the initiative of individuals. While the planning and calculations carried out over the past year provided a solid foundation, it was an individual who set the actual implementation in motion. Once again, our team of craftspeople has truly excelled and they are learning new skills through this project.
Furthermore, the hospital management is now enthusiastic about the prospect of future expansions. This has also clarified our path forward: we intend to double the size of the current system, allowing us to generate our own electricity—at least during the daylight hours. However, we intend to wait and see how things play out— specifically by observing the electricity bills over the coming months—before taking any definitive next steps.
Why is this important? Globally, diesel prices have risen in connection with developments in Iran, a trend particularly felt in Ecuador. Furthermore, our backup generators are old and in need of replacement. The cost of generating our own power during outages is also set to increase; it would be better to invest those funds into new technology instead. At a later stage, we might also acquire a battery system to secure critical areas, such as the operating rooms and the IT department. These are now clear, practical plans.
But the hospital is about more than just its electricity needs. On October 12th, the team celebrated its 11th anniversary and thanked God for the past year. With the addition of a new staff member, Lenín Villacis, they are now working to secure more support from within Ecuador. They are reaching out to companies and raising awareness both nationally and internationally.
There is also a need to find new missionaries to strengthen the team. We are currently in discussions with a family from the United States which could prove to be a vital asset with their specific skills in ultrasound diagnostics and technical support.
Meanwhile, the Morse family still do not know exactly when they will be able to move to Shell. Please pray for clarity.
The arrival of new staff, especially from abroad, will require the current team to reorganize, which could potentially lead to some friction. Yet, we sense that Hospital Shell is at a turning point; things simply cannot continue as they have been—we all feel that. Just as we, after much reflection and a long period of waiting, have finally taken another step forward, it is the unique ideas and gifts of individuals that are shaping the future. In the same way, our prayer partners and donors are making a real difference in the Kingdom of God right here on the edge of the jungle in Shell.
Thank you so much!
The Shell Team
Spenden bitte über:
(Eckehart & Klaudia Wolff)
New Lightway address
Donations: Lightway Medical Foundation
PO Box 41
Bluffton, IN 46714
Checks can be mailed there, or you can donate through the website.
LightwayMedical.org/donations.