Dear friends, We Wolffs have now been in Germany again for a month, and the hospital in Shell continues to work under the former leadership. What has happened in the meantime? The “new” old management has started running the hospital again. Focus groups have been formed for pharmacy, purchasing, and internal control. There are plans to strengthen the spiritual aspect and make changes to personnel management. However, there is still a lack of harmony in the staff, and a lot of tension all around. That hurts and is not easy to accept, but in prayer, God encouraged us to wait. He will bring about real change. We are excited, even if the wait is not easy. Above all, though, we give the greatest thanks to our God. In 2013 there was a request to take over responsibility for Shell Hospital. Our Ecuadorian foundation was created in 2014, then an eventful beginning in a rented house. In 2016 the move and renting more and more parts of the old hospital until mutual trust finally developed, and we were able to buy it. In November 2019, we signed a 4-year purchase agreement for Shell Hospital with the old mission, now called Reach Beyond. Now in October 2023, we are in the process of paying the last installment. Thanks to many friends over the years, our rent was ALWAYS paid on time, and the purchase price is also paid off. The “last” payment will be paid at the end of October. “Last” because the radio site still needs to be purchased. We don’t need the house until later and still have a few months to do it.
This purchase price does not include the large amount of money for the renovation of the hospital. Everything in the building is NEW except the roof, walls and copper water pipes. Our construction team did a great job! We were also able to purchase equipment such as laboratory equipment. We were given the endoscopy unit and the laparoscopy tower and much more as a gift. All of this was brought about by a team with lots of prayers from all over the world and generous donors, a community effort from many countries. THANK GOD!
A group from Germany recently came and painted the remaining facade of the Hospital.
There are always surprises like the gift of a warmer unit for the newborns. The old one was already rusty, and the heat supply no longer worked properly. Newborns can now be examined and cared for more safely after delivery. Thanks to the Hospital Vozandes in Quito for providing us with this gift of such well-maintained equipment! Thanks to Dr. Jorge Rivera, the chairman of the foundation.
Things are also progressing in the international guesthouse, so we may be able to use it by mid-2024. The furnishings such as beds, kitchen appliances, etc. are still missing. Current needs include- The wastewater system for the hospital which is still pending. We also need a more powerful software program for patient data.
We have reached a double turning point. We give thanks for what has been achieved and the request for a friendlier working atmosphere in which employees are better encouraged. We ask that you continue to pray for this request at this “turning point”.
Best regards, 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 websites. Visiting patients in their homes LightwayMedical.org/donations. HospitalShell.org