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Lucia Bastos
December - 2024
He chose to be saviour
This time of year inspires a deep sense of introspection and reflection within me. Recently, I recalled the moment I first told God I wanted to be a missionary.
It was also the first time I learned about Brazilians moving to other countries, especially African nations, to preach the gospel. During a missionary engagement service, the heartfelt words of a missionary sharing his experiences moved me profoundly, and I couldn't hold back my tears. By the end of the service, I felt a powerful urge to ask the pastor to pray for me as I yearned to follow in the footsteps of that missionary when I grew up.
Though the details of the service and sermon faded from memory, I clearly recognized my true calling that morning. And now, here I am, living that dream!
As life unfolds in cycles, I felt so grateful when the Mahon Family, BMS missionaries in Peru, reached out and asked me to create a quick 30-second video of encouragement for the participants at their upcoming missionary conference in October. This conference is all about inspiring Latinos to get involved in missionary work, which is such a wonderful cause!
Even though it was a short video, it felt really meaningful to share a message that reflects God's grace and mercy, including us in the work He's doing. I hope it makes a positive impact!
I was truly touched by the experience of witnessing the successful normal birth of triplets, guided by our dedicated midwives. It's a privilege to be part of the incredible moments that unfold here, moments that truly feel like miracles from God.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge your important role in this journey with us. Your prayers and support have a tremendous impact on our lives, and we are truly grateful for your involvement. I am pleased to share that we have successfully opened the new emergency room, which is not only beautiful but also highly functional. Over the months of November and December, we were fortunate to have Dr. Catrin from Denmark volunteer her time to mentor the young doctors working in that facility. Her support has been invaluable in enhancing their skills and confidence. Thank you for being a vital part of our progress!
Partnerships with organisations worldwide are having a major impact on the lives of Chadians. One of those partnerships was the acquisition of a new laboratory analysis machine. It is modern, and the details help doctors make more effective treatment decisions, especially in malaria cases. Some others were new equipment for the new ER, such as oxygen concentrators and upgrades in the Hospital's solar system.
An impactful partnership existed between the British NGO Medical Assist International (MAI) and the French company Nutriset, which profoundly affected the life of Fatme Abdallah.
Fatme arrived at the hospital requesting surgery to reconstruct part of her femur. At the age of seven, she developed paraplegia, leading to severe scarring and damage to her femur. Additionally, Fatme was seriously malnourished. Although the hospital operated a regular nutrition program funded by MAI, it was primarily aimed at children in their early years, and Fatme, being in her twenties, would not normally have qualified for it. In a generous gesture, Nutriset donated a nutritional supplement for young adults, which Fatme received during her three-month hospital stay.
Tragically, Fatme passed away last week. I vividly recall visiting her about four days before her death; I took off my shoes, knelt on the carpet between her and her mother, and asked how they were doing while offering my encouragement. The image of Fatme's outstretched arm reaching out to thank me, along with her words of gratitude for the support they received in the Hospital, will remain etched in my memory. Not every story has a happy ending, but in every situation, we can see moments of His grace.
It may seem a bit whimsical, but I can't help but ponder what the 12-year-old Jesus might have said if one of the knowledgeable teachers of the law, after engaging him in profound discussions for three long days, had posed the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
As I envision his potential responses, the most striking one that comes to mind is: "I want to be your Savior!" The thought evokes His deep sense of purpose and a profound understanding of His future role, filled with compassion and the promise of hope.
Thank you so much, my saviour! Thank you, Lord of my life! Thank you for hearing and fulfilling 9-year-old Lucia's request! Thank you for the generosity and faithfulness of the British people! Thank you for uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds and transforming us all into one collective family!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year brimming with fresh blessings in Christ!
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/