Dear friends,
December 2025
Words become reality – that is God’s message – this is how new life arises in creation. Thus, from the word “logos,” Jesus is born – that is the message of Christmas. From the words of promise made over 12 years ago, Hospital Shell was born – a reality in a region of Ecuador.
Our team celebrated this festival of the Logos, Jesus, becoming Christmas on December 12th, after having already impressively demonstrated at a local festival at the end of November that they are part of regional life in the Pastaza province.
The team has grown. Since the beginning of December, Dr. José Eras has joined us. He is a retired family practitioner and helps out during the week. His clinical experience in inpatient care is invaluable to us. Until his retirement, he worked at the hospital in Quito. He is a long-sought answer to prayer, because we need more doctors for inpatient care. We continue to pray for an additional young internist. That would be the ideal addition.
Another goal is the new anesthesia machine. We have already received part of it as a donation. We request the remaining items, especially during this Christmas season. The device must be operational by the next inspection of the facility by the Ministry of Health in early March 2026. Otherwise, we will not receive our operating permission. Surgery services are a vital part of our work.
We are pleased with the positive developments. For example, more employees are participating in the team prayer times on Wednesday mornings, and more are actively involved in the morning devotions before work. It’s a fact: Where I actively participate, I grow the most spiritually.
We recently received calculations from friends for a potential photovoltaic system. It’s designed without batteries, as humidity quickly reduces their lifespan. The costs are similar to those in Germany, amounting to just over USD 80,000. This project is planned for the future. It’s important to us that there are now local technicians who can maintain and repair such a system. Perhaps some of our readers would be interested in providing practical assistance with the planning. We’re considering setting up a special account for this purpose, and technicians from abroad could help with the installation, whenever that may be. Let’s bring this all before God in peace! In the meantime, we will sell an ancient, barely functional diesel generator, replace it with a newer one, and repair it to working order. A hospital without emergency power is impossible. This is not a luxury, but a necessity.
We welcome young people who would like to help out at Shell again next year. We have already received the first applications. Our guesthouse is open for them. Our team is always ready to welcome people who are planning their future and for whom world missions are important. We want
to continue finding new friends to support our work at Shell. Please spread the word.
2025 was an important year in the development of Hospital Shell. Our dependence on foreign donations has decreased, even though we still need help. The team is making bolder decisions about its goals. The spiritual development of individual staff members has become a priority. We have a stable circle of prayer partners and friends. This is how Hospital Shell has become a reality. God’s word is true, and therein lies the blessing for many patients: That they can experience God practically and tangibly in their own lives.
Thank you so much for your prayers and practical support. We wish you, our faithful companions, a blessed Christmas, that God’s promises and pledges may become tangible reality for you as well, and that God’s abundant blessings may shine brightly into the new year of 2026.
The Shell team
ECKEHART & KLAUDIA WOLFF
Eckehart.Wolff@gmx.net
KlaudiaWolff@gmx.de
You can send your tax deductible US contributions to Lightway Medical Foundation at the address below. As of right now, 100% of your contribution will be given to efforts here in Shell. There is NO administration fee because of the volunteer service of those running Lightway.
Contributions can be sent to:
Lightway Medical Foundation
PO Box 8066
Fort Wayne, IN 46898
Or you can donate through the website:
Donations – Lightway Medical Foundation
or
Hospital Shell