Those who wait won't faint

2025 has begun at a dynamic pace, and we're all excited about the direction we're heading in. Last year was dedicated to setting up solid financial procedures and supporting our Chadian colleagues by sharing international financial management standards. This year, my focus is on integrating those guidelines into our everyday practices and automating our hospital's financial procedures as much as possible.

We're fortunate to have guidance from former BMS Finance Director Val Stevens. Through the Catalyst programme, initiated by BMS, professionals like Val generously offer their time and expertise to mentor others with specific tasks. In February, Val graciously spent three weeks with us, training our management team and assisting us in analyzing our 2024 annual balance sheet.

There's certainly a lot happening at Guinebor 2 right now. To support the automation of our financial procedures, we successfully implemented a new payroll system in January. The transition went smoothly, and the HR and finance teams received thorough training. After three months of consistent salary payments, we're now starting to train all administrative staff, including cashiers and pharmacy personnel. This module, set to launch on 31 March, will automate our hospital's cash intake processes and the pharmacy's stock management. I kindly ask that you pray for our Chadian staff as they adapt to these new procedures!

We've chosen a system widely recognized in the French-speaking world, which will greatly benefit our colleagues' professional development. Training enhances our operations and is a significant investment in their careers.

I'm thrilled to share that I've joined the hospital's senior management team. It's an incredible honour to embrace this responsibility, continually seeking God's wisdom in our daily decision-making. It's fascinating to see how God has guided my path toward the fulfilment of His promises and plans. In January, we held our annual general assembly meeting, where the senior management team presented the hospital's activities and results for the year 2024. During the presentation, I shared our 2024 results, challenges, and the 2025 budget and targets in English. This was a familiar task for me, a wonderful opportunity to showcase our efforts. It was truly a manifestation of God's glory when I presented the same information to representatives of the Chadian government in French. Hallelujah! With my legs shaking yet confident in the Holy Spirit's empowerment, I delivered the presentation, received compliments, and noted the requests for next year's presentations.

Please pray for our administration team, and we seek unity despite being made up of 3 different nationalities and three different Chadian ethnicities in a team of 5 people. Communication and cultural differences often present significant challenges. Modelling the practice of collaborative and assertive leadership becomes my constant reason for personal prayer before God.

In the heart of Africa and on the shores of the Sahara desert, we find solace in the unwavering prayerful and emotional support of the Church of Christ worldwide. Last Christmas, our BMS communications colleagues inspired our brothers connected with our hospital to send heartfelt Christmas cards filled with prayers for our maternity midwives. The impact was both surprising and delightful. Last week, Claire and I had the privilege of delivering 250 Christmas cards to our dedicated staff, capturing the moment as a "thank you" for their love, prayers, and encouragement. May God continually stir your hearts for us!

Beginning in May, I'll be spending a couple of months in the UK on home assignment, and I can't express how excited I am to reconnect with friends and visit churches that have supported us financially and so much through their prayers, emails, and messages.

I would truly appreciate your prayers during this time, as I hope to receive a meaningful word from God to share with my brothers and friends while I'm there. Additionally, I hope that any logistical challenges get resolved smoothly so that our time with partners can be both fruitful and constructive for all of us. Thank you for being such a crucial part of this journey!

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/