Here at LAMB the monsoon season is with us. That doesn’t mean it rains all the time, but we do have some very long, heavy downpours. It is all part of the annual cycle, and is in truth a blessing – even if for the community outside of LAMB, roads and paths become mud walks. The thunder and lightning which is often a problem at this time of year has so far done no damage to LAMB.
As is often said, times of adversity are often times when new growth starts. That is how it feels at LAMB at the moment. We are being challenged by big funded projects coming to completion, the world financial woes, and a reduced number of pati
ents because of a Government voucher scheme.But it is extremely pleasing to see the energy, fresh thinking and action now under way. Senior managers in particular are proving to be leaders indeed – getting out and about to find where we can help in the future, looking at the things we do to find ways of doing things better, and then actually making the changes. Simple examples are in making the hospital more patient friendly by setting up an information desk – using existing staff; looking at fairly simple changes to the out-patient clinic so that we can increase the numbers of Training Centre students able to get practical experience at any one time; and at the community clinics publicizing their services better so that community members know what help they can get.
At the big scale, senior managers are now all active talking with other organizations for whom we do work to see what else we might do for them. In truth, LAMB’s high quality reputation is very helpful to us in that.
For us serving here, we often never know in depth the effect that we are having on others through demonstrating God’s love. Sometimes the results come in less direct ways. A US citizen who was at LAMB for a few weeks recently has since commented that she had not previously seen Christians putting their faith into action as at LAMB. After her time here, she wanted to start reading the Bible and exploring her Christian beliefs
We pray that we will continue to be a positive influence in God’s world
And lastly, attached is a photo from the session last month when 30 children had their feet put in plaster as the first stage of repairing their club feet. They will wear the plasters – in this heat and humidity – for maybe 5 weeks, and then wear shoe braces, for a short while all day, and then at night for 4-6 years. A big commitment, but it is a proper cure, low cost, and enables the children to lead a fully normal life thereafter.
