Come, taste & see

The past few months have brought significant challenges for us. The shifting landscape of the world political scene has deeply impacted the missionary community in Chad, and, by extension, our hospital. With visas no longer available for American citizens, we have had to bid farewell to two beloved families. Christy Harrison, a dedicated midwife who played an invaluable role overseeing our maternity care and nutrition programs, and a Tangen couple, who were instrumental in the construction of our hospital and rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities, are both leaving us.

While their absence is keenly felt, we are taking this opportunity to reorganise the activities in their programmes. Our goal is to rejuvenate these initiatives and actively engage local leaders in sharing the vision. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for wisdom as we navigate these changes and seek new directions.

Yet, not all goodbyes bring sorrow. We also recently said farewell to Haoua, a remarkable nurse who has been with us since the early days of our hospital. She has played a pioneering role in establishing a health centre in her hometown, set to open this January. With pride and gratitude, we gathered to pray for her, honouring her incredible dedication at Guinebor 2. While we will miss her greatly, our hearts are full of hope knowing she will bring essential healthcare to her own community.

I had the privilege of participating in a women's retreat in N'Djamena. The theme, "Taste and See the Goodness of God," provided a sacred space for reflection, meditation, and connection with fellow women navigating similar challenges. In this moment, I recognized the profound truth that God's goodness shines through even in the midst of difficulties. As a lover of sunsets, I was struck by the stunning beauty they offer at this time of year, beauty I had overlooked until now. I attempted to capture this breathtaking scene to share, but my photo only hints at its true magnificence.

As every year, this is a time for visitors. This year, in addition to two Swedish surgeons, who are short-term volunteers, we also received a visit from German gynaecologist Dr Claudia Wahl, who specialises in fertility treatment and is well-known by the hospital's patients. All these surgeries give our director Kalbassou a little respite.

Another extraordinary news is the road to the hospital is almost finished. And we have seen its effect on the hospital's revenue during this last rainy season. With better access to the hospital, the number of patients has been considerably higher than last year. Thank you so much for your prayers!

As I mentioned earlier, it has been an exceptionally busy period around here. The Administrative and Finance team recently participated in an insightful online training session led by Val Stevens, focusing on budget management. It was truly uplifting to witness their impressive growth and deepening understanding of the topic. Their engagement and enthusiasm were palpable, reflecting their dedication to both professional and spiritual development. Please continue to pray for this team as they navigate their journey of growth and learning.

We are immensely grateful for the collaboration of short-term volunteers who bring more dynamism to the Body of Christ here at the Hospital. Please pray for the AGM meeting and all the meetings we have in the last week of January!

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for walking alongside me this year, offering your prayers, emotional encouragement, and financial support. May God bless you with a joyous Christmas, surrounded by loved ones, as we remember His constant presence and everlasting goodness!

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/