Lucia Bastos
May of 2024
I am as right as rain
Peace of mind doesn't stem from the favourable conditions in which we reside but from the deep conviction that we are fulfilling our purpose.
Admittedly, bidding farewell to my family and returning to the scorching heat of Chad, with temperatures soaring between 44 and 46 degrees Celsius, was daunting. However, being back and reuniting with the hospital staff, sharing the trials of the end of the hot season, gave me an overwhelming sense of contentment. I felt as right as rain.
Speaking of rain, the initial downpours have already started in Guinebor 2. It marks the beginning of a new season, and the learnings from the previous season empower us to move forward.
Last month, we reached the halfway point of the restoration project and are currently working to complete the structural parts of the new building before the storms flood the ground. Since the beginning of January, the hospital's triage and emergency area has been renovated. The new triage building is already completed and functioning at double its previous capacity. Upon completion, the emergency department will have 12 beds, in addition to the existing beds in the inpatient and maternity wards. The project is being led by a Swedish-American missionary and the head of the hospital's construction and maintenance department, both of whom have experience in civil engineering.
In the administration department, salary training was provided in the final week of May. It became evident that some of the discomfort experienced by employees is due to a lack of clarity regarding the descriptions on their payslips. As a result, the human resources department collaborated with the nursing supervisor to organize payslip training. The employees themselves have requested further training on legislation regarding workplace accidents, which will provide them with the knowledge required to apply for government subsidies whenever they are involved in accidents on their way to work.
In the Gospels, Jesus challenges us to believe without wavering countless times. It's not a simple task, especially when we see the challenges piling up.
Personally, I have been encouraged by the words in James' letter. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind." (James 1:5,6 MEV).
Upon my return, I was delighted to see that the financial procedures we implemented during March and early April are still operating smoothly. I was particularly pleased to learn from the Administrator that he now appreciates the vital role those changes play in facilitating payments and ensuring the smooth running of our daily operations.
I aim to offer the hospital senior management team a more comprehensive managerial perspective on our daily decision-making processes. This will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of how these decisions impact our financial outcomes. The challenge in this endeavour is not just finding the right words and using the French language effectively but also drawing on cultural resources to ensure transparent and effective communication. I kindly request your thoughts and prayers for wisdom as I navigate through this process.
All the praises to our Lord for the wonderful time I had in Brazil with my family, and for safely returning me to Guinebor 2! Please, join me with your prayers for the following:
- The completion of the renovation project in the outpatient area.
- Implementation of new training initiatives among our staff.
- Protection and well-being for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
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/