Dear friends,
Psychological research shows that the success of large companies depends not primarily on a gifted leader, but on motivated employees. Those who foster positive relationships with their colleagues best serve the company.
This is the principle behind Jesus’ founding of the Church—not with highly trained specialists, but with motivated fishermen, tax collectors, and rebels in small groups. In this way, a Church grew that conquered the Roman Empire from the ground up. Persecution could not ultimately extinguish this movement. BUT: When the Church developed power structures, abuse also began. Power corrupts, and this continues to this day.
We experienced this at Shell Hospital as well. Initially built as a collaborative team, the next managers came from outside. They tried their best, but little to no team spirit developed. Only when we couldn’t find suitable external managers did we appoint employees as managers who hadn’t even sought the position. These individuals initially struggled, had to learn leadership, and only gradually became role models for their staff. Since then, a palpable sense of peace has settled in, and the staff perceives the working atmosphere as positive. Progress is being made. Dependence on foreign suppliers is diminishing, and decisions are being made by the team itself. There have also been some painful personnel decisions. These have proven to be the right ones. Prayer and spiritual focus have gained in importance.
The Wednesday prayer service continues, with the medical department meeting at 7:30 a.m. and the administration, etc., later. The day begins with prayer and a short devotional. Attendance at joint spiritual services is also improving.
The maintenance department is preparing the building for the annual inspection by the Ministry of Health. We also continually ask for prayers. Such inspections often unexpectedly confront us with structural or other requirements that the hospital struggles to meet.
We have already reported on the new/used anesthesia machine. Now, thanks to a donation from friends of Dr. Jacob Bezemer,
a new, more user-friendly dental chair has been provided—a joy for long-time employee Dra. Mercy Batallas.
The occupation of the international guesthouse is a joy, as it is increasingly used by groups from Germany and now also from the USA. This aspect of the work is therefore self-sustaining.
And the hospital also participates in activities such as “Caravanas Médicas” (medical outreach events), like the one here at a nearby church, where free examinations are offered. We want to be present in the community beyond the hospital building.
The new blood gas analyzer should arrive this month. Our prayer requests continue to be for power generators, and in the distant future, a photovoltaic system and a young, full-time internist to care for more inpatients. Finding suitable staff in the province is probably one of the most difficult challenges. This person must also be able to integrate into a functioning whole. God must call them, and they must find their place.
Thank you for all your prayers!
The Shell Team
(Eckehart & Klaudia Wolff)
Donations: Lightway Medical Foundation
PO Box 8066
Fort Wayne, IN 46898
Checks can be mailed there, or you can donate through the website.
LightwayMedical.org/donations.