January 23, 2008

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Frank here. Yesterday and the day before weren’t typical days, but they do illustrate what can happen, given the realities of our little corner of the world.

Tebellong, a former jewel of a hospital, in a jewel of a setting—the mountains of southern Lesotho.

One of our partner church’s hospitals here in Lesotho is in trouble. A vacuum of leadership on the church and hospital boards resulted in severe mismanagement by the administrator and medical officer in charge. They were run off by the community, and now the hospital is seriously struggling. This was brought to my attention at a recent meeting of the Christian Health Association, and I was asked to accompany some of the church leaders to assess the situation and discuss a way forward. The church leaders wanted to make it a day trip, leaving at 5:00 a.m. for the five-hour drive into the mountains, across a river, and up the hill to the hospital. This would leave them only two or three hours for a meeting. I chose to leave the day before, planning to get there before dark and have the following morning to look around and speak with staff. It didn’t happen quite like I planned.

The “ferry” crossing the Orange River.

I left Maseru, the capital city where we live, around 1:30 p.m., and drove through some of the most spectacular scenery this world has to offer—higher and higher into the Maluti Mountains. But then dusk began to gather early with the promise of rain. I reached the banks of the Orange River at 6:00 p.m. and realized that it was in flood. There was nowhere I could cross with my vehicle, and it was beginning to pour in earnest. I flashed my lights across the river, and was relieved to see a boat coming to fetch me. Once across the river, I hoisted my backpack, small cool box with food, and a large bag of cloth that I had promised to deliver to a friend’s sister working at the hospital, and began the seven-mile uphill hike. In spite of my scouting background, I had forgotten my boots and flashlight! The rain poured, and my burdens got heavier and heavier.

I reached ditch caused by erosion that cut across the path, very deep and wide. This forced me to turn further uphill to a place where it was narrow enough to cross. I was thoroughly soaked, slipping in the mud and feeling very discouraged. Just then, a young herd boy came out of the gloom and offered to show me the way. He took the heavy bag of cloth, gave me the encouragement of his companionship and the benefit of his sure direction, and led me to the hospital. He was the “Good Shepherd” to me that night. I asked how I could ever thank him. He wanted no money (What good would it do him?), but said he was hungry. So I gladly gave him the sandwiches and fruit that Nancy had packed for my supper.

 One of two broken down ambulances. The functioning ambulance took us back to the river for the boat crossing.

I reached the hospital after 8:00 p.m. There is no communication with this hospital—no cell phone network and only broken radios—so I was not expected. Even so, I found a nurse on duty who kindly fetched the keys to a guest room and made me welcome. (By this time, I would have gladly slept in the male ward). After drying off and eating a few crackers, I tumbled into bed with a heart of relief and gratitude.

This hospital was a jewel in its day, serving a remote mountain area of approximately 25,000 people with both health care and spiritual leadership. Now, its staff is demoralized and the hospital itself has not been maintained in years. The grounds are unkempt and the grass is high. Faulty regulators and poorly maintained batteries and solar panels mean the solar system that used to power the entire hospital is no longer effective. One of the two diesel generators is broken and the other is leaking oil running all the time at a cost of $1,100 per month. Two of their three vehicles are on blocks, needing major engine repair and new tires. The radio system is still in place but hasn’t functioned for several years.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “This would make a great project—helping this hospital to function well again and to be a witness and to give excellent service to the community.” And you are right. There is much that you could do (pay for the rehabilitation of the solar power, pay for the repairs to the vehicles and the radio system, send work teams to maintain the grounds and repaint the buildings, etc.), but not yet.

First, there are issues of law (the case against the former administrator and medical officer), local leadership and initiative, and financial accountability that must be addressed. Then you can come alongside the community, and together, turn Tebellong, once again, into a place of excellent service and spiritual refreshment. We’ll let you know when the time is right.

Meanwhile, pray for the people in these mountain communities, discouraged yet faithfully doing the best they can with what they have. And pray for the church leaders and the board of directors, that they might be encouraged and motivated to do what is needed to get the hospital back on track.

Sincerely,

Frank Dimmock

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 30