Lucia Bastos
July of 2024
Be strong through the Grace
"As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus. Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people who will be able to teach others." GNBUK version
In his final letter to his pupil Timotheus, Paul provides a comprehensive recap of the key points discussed during their discipleship journey. Following the initial greetings in the first chapter, he commences the second chapter by urging Timotheus to cultivate resilience, to exhibit strength in the face of challenges along the journey, to maintain unwavering focus on the ultimate goal, and to actively share the teachings acquired from Christ.
Normally, when we are in a safe environment, we don't realise how much we depend on God for even the smallest activities in our daily lives. Most of the activities we carry out daily are internalised, and we feel comfortable.
When we enter a new cultural context that is different from our background, everything is new—even the smallest activities like shopping, driving and greeting someone properly. I am thankful that little by little, some of these day-to-day activities are now beginning to feel more natural, even though total dependence on God is reflected in everything around me. I am also grateful for God's grace manifested in the impact of the work carried out by the Hospital's Administrative and Financial team, together with the SMT, on its financial statements for the last four months.
Since January, I've had the privilege of serving in a hospital setting, which is a new and eye-opening experience for me as a finance and organizational management professional. As part of my role, I have the humbling opportunity to share the heartfelt experiences of the hospital's healthcare professionals with our partners. Recently, I had the honour of capturing a deeply moving moment of interaction between the professionals at the children's development centre during a physiotherapy session. Each recording touches me deeply and opens my inexperienced eyes to the powerful impact of their work.
Even the director's description in the video we recorded for this year's hospital's fundraising campaign resonates with me, reinforcing my belief that I am in the right place and have made the right decision to serve by dedicating my life and profession to His Kingdom.
As the rainy season sets in, the temperature has dropped, bringing relief from the heat. Unfortunately, the heavy downpours and insufficient infrastructure have resulted in severe flooding on the streets, posing a significant barrier to accessing the hospital. Encouragingly, there is ongoing construction to pave a vital access route to the hospital. We remain hopeful that this construction will be completed before the conclusion of the rainy season.
Celebrating the Tabaski with friends. The Tabaski, also known as Eid al-Adha, is a festival commemorating Abraham's obedience to God and his willingness to sacrifice his son. It is one of the most significant celebrations in Muslim culture.
Let us praise our Lord, for I can recognise His grace in the small details while settling in!
Please pray for wisdom, unity, and good communication among the Administrative and Finance team members. Please also continue praying for the renovation of the Outpatient ward and staff training.
Thank you for your steadfast support and prayers!
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/