In the back-blocks of Tanzania, an increasing number of children are growing up with the peculiarly un-African name of Stevie " a tribute to the Christian care of CMS missionary Dr Steve Bradford.
Dr Bradford and his wife Kate are providing essential assistance at the Berega Hospital where a cash-strapped medical system means patients must pay before they receive treatment.
"Much of the hospital's existence seems to be day-to-day survival," says Kate Bradford.
"Last week the pump broke, and it took three days to get a new part from Dar es Salaam. The hospital had no water for these days. When the pump was repaired the generator would not start. When it did restart, the TTCL (telecom) stopped working for four days, so the hospital had no phone and hence no email."
But a recent clergy teaching week reveals some of Tanzania's poorest people are responding to the concern the missionaries are showing in the most touching way possible.
"One pastor told me that, in his town, there were many children named Stevie because they had been delivered by Dr Steve," says Kate Bradford.
The Bradfords say the medical treatment they offer at the 140-bed hospital is providing a path to the hearts of many patients.
"In a society that closely links health and healing to religion, a Christian hospital is a vital outreach for the gospel," says Mrs Bradford, describing the key to the medical centre's success.
"Working in close partnership with the church and the Lay Training Centre, lay training students visit patients and preach and pray in the wards as part of their ministry."
The reasonably-priced medical services, delivered with integrity and a concern for the whole person, is worlds away from the sort of system most Tanzanians have come to expect.
"There is some government assistance with wages for the trained staff but many staff members have only primary school education and a one-year nurse assistant course," says Dr Bradford.
"Much of the surgery is performed by Assistant Medical Officers who have year twelve and the equivalent of a four year apprenticeship and technical training."
But the pastors and evangelists who recently met with the Bradfords assure them the hospital is doing much more than healing bodies.
"They appreciated that the price was up front. Once they paid their money they received their drugs and treatment, says Mrs Bradford.
"But they were particularly thankful for the prayer they received while in hospital, and care shown by staff."
