From Rev. Ernesto Bazan, Pastor
Greetings dear brothers and sisters of Sylva, it is my wish that the Lord bless you and sustain you during this time.
I hope that when you think about the pandemic that the world is experiencing, nothing separates you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. May we deepen our relationship with our heavenly father. Let us continue to discover the unlimited favor of grace that we receive through Christ's love for us. May that love be the strength to go through all the circumstances of our life. May the Holy Spirit empower us to announce hope.
I have wanted to write to you for several weeks and tell you about the challenges we have here.
I tell you that in our city these last two months have been difficult due to the increase in the covid 19 disease. Our city saw a rise in the number of infected, which has led to hospital collapses in many places. All this coupled with the crisis of medicines and food that had already been accumulated burdens us.
In our church, in particular, we have had several sick people, including three mothers of members who have died. Others have gone through the disease and have been left with slight problems, others have passed it only as a cold.
The reality is that many families have experienced significant losses and the griefs are not being processed in a healthy way, nor does the context allow it.
I personally experienced the death of my 89-year-old grandmother. Her health situation was delicate as she was not well when contracted the virus, which was aggressive and lasted three days. The burial protocol for these patients greatly limits traditional grief, and the family has to speed up the farewell, which is almost instantaneous. Along with the loss, there is also the fear of being able to get infected and spread the disease to others.
In all this context we have not stopped praying for each other. We have found in prayer a way to remain in God united in this grace of being aware of our neighbor.
The church maintains a group of prayer and communion through whatsaap, and we also make occasional visits. Some neighborhoods and houses are closed when there are infections. This limits the mobility of these families.
Our help has been to be able to provide food, help in the search of water, as well as some administrative management. Additionally, we have been able to bring food to those who are in hospitals, and to help purchase medicine. We’ve also been able to provide drug donations to those who are in need.
Personally, I tell you that we are learning to serve in the mission that God has given us, because this situation is changing that we must again and again ask for the guidance of the Lord.
Our family has been well, thank God, here in our neighborhood. Almost everyone has acquired COVID-19, except for us. We pray that God will keep us well. Marisol already has the three doses of the Cuban vaccine and in my case tomorrow they give me the 3rd and final dose.
Children within all challenges have been fine with the odd health situation. Elisabeth has a fissure in her left arm and José we are treating her for a fistula but nothing that is alarming. Marisol has had bursitis on her right shoulder for which she is icing herself, hoping that everything will improve.
As a result of all this accumulated tension, I did not see the symptoms of compassion fatigue coming… I was alarmed when I began to feel tension in my chest, heart, back, neck…. In time I have started a cycle of self-care and I am walking in that process hand in hand with God.
Well I'm sure I have some things to share, but these are some of the things that come to mind now.
I would like to thank you once again for your prayers and love offerings. Please extend our greetings to the Church and tell them that we keep you in our prayers.
Tell us how we can accompany you in prayer.
We ask you to pray for:
Miriam, Betty and Saily. Grandmother, daughter and newborn girl all with covid
By Doctors Carlos, Asarel and their children with covid
For Martha (my mother) and her brothers
By Virgin
Diana, 7-year-old girl, operated on the femur
Recovering from Covid (Marcos, Reynaldo, Maribel, Manolo, Mabel and family, Carlos)
Thank you for your love and companionship in the mission of announcing the reign of God.
With love,
Ernesto Bazán.