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Lucia Bastos
March 2024
God of all seasons
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live." By King Salomon Ec. 3:11
One day, words from a book I read challenged me to contemplate life's gift. Since then, they have made me reflect on the exercise of finding beauty everywhere, even in a desertic environment or a challenging season of life. King Solomon's words take us to a deeper reflection than finding beauty. They encourage us to trust that God has everything planned and under His control because He is in all seasons, not just as an observer but sovereignly orchestrating every season.
Life has been quite eventful in the past two months after the board meeting that took place in mid-January. I had to dive deep into the hospital's financial data to understand it thoroughly. It was crucial to work together with the hospital's administration and finance team to adjust the financial procedures to the business model that is appropriate for the hospital's size. This has been an ongoing, intense job that requires constant communication and intercultural adaptation from everyone in the team. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit, who is continuously giving us wisdom, correcting us, and teaching us.
Regarding my routine, the best time for me is on Wednesdays. In the morning, before starting work, we visit all the patients in the hospital to pray for them. These moments of prayer and contact with people motivate me to see beyond the numbers and figures I deal with during the day.
Despite the challenges, life in Chad has given me a sense of fulfilment. I feel as if I'm in the exact place and time that I should be.
The weather started getting warmer in early March, and the heat is an added challenge for me. Adapting to 44 degrees Celsius in the shade is proving to be quite tricky.
However, I am overjoyed because after being away from my family for two years, I surprised them by coming to Brazil on holiday to spend my birthday, my mum's birthday, and Mother's Day with them. My parents were so happy and excited to see me.
This has been an excellent time to reconnect with my family, friends, and prayer partners. It has also allowed me to rest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Additionally, spending time with my nephews and nieces has been a source of great joy.
Gradually and patiently with myself, I learn about Chadian culture and try to adapt to it. The French language is a crucial part of my daily life, as it allows me to put into practice what I have learned in class. Although I am uncertain about measuring the impact of my work here in Chad, I am confident about the impact that Chadians and fellow expats have had on my life. Together, we collaborate and grow spiritually.
For the first time in my life, I celebrated International Women's Day with such emphasis, festivities, food and lots of dancing. It's a way of honouring the lives and daily challenges of the women around us.It was amusing to see how the women prepared for the day. We all bought the same fabric and made new clothes for the parade and the celebration that followed.It took me almost a week to recover from all the dancing. It was a marvellous experience. Taking part in this celebration opened doors to relationships with people in the hospital. Afterwards, they passed me in the corridors, called me by name, and greeted me.
Praise our Lord with me for the time I am spending with my family in Brazil and for His faithfulness in every season of my life. Please, pray for my adaptation in Chad and for wisdom.
If you could prayerfully consider if you are able to support my work by becoming a 24/7 partner, you can find more information here:https://www.bmsworldmission.org/people/lucia-bastos/