Adventist Youth Help Families Affected by Floods in Minas Gerais

Due to heavy rains, residents of eastern Minas Gerais suffered from flooding, and many lost everything they had. In the region of Caratinga, for example, more than 300 families were displaced, according to the Civil Defense. In an attempt to lessen the loss of residents, Adventist Church members mobilized to provide food, clothing, and personal hygiene items. They opened the doors of churches to receive donations that were sent to families who suffered from the floods.

In total, 90 basic baskets were distributed, as were more than 400 pieces of clothing, in addition to drinking water and hygiene and domestic cleaning materials. Pastor Alexandre Ferrari closely followed the situation of the community of Águas Férreas and reports the feeling when walking through the streets of the flooded city. "It was devastating to see the region covered by mud and to see in people's eyes the sadness in trying to recover the little that the rain and flood did not destroy", he said.

According to Ferrari, moments like these make "the church rise up as a point of reference where people can look, not only for words of hope, but also a place to find those who can help with their greatest needs." Through the Caleb Mission project, donations were distributed to families. 

Wanderson Ricardo Mendes, age 15, participated in the Caleb Mission project for the first time. He says he had several experiences, and the one that most caught his attention was the story of Dona Maria and Seu Joāo. They had bought all the groceries to get through the month, with the only amount of money available. With the rains, they lost everything. When they received the basic basket, they were filled with joy.

In addition to houses, places such as shops, churches, and schools were affected by the flood. Teacher Vilma Mendonça had her workplace flooded. Upon receiving help from the young Calebs, he recognized the importance of the project. "We know that their coming here was God's plan because the community not only needs the school, as there are many families with sludge still at home", he points out.

In addition to displaced families, volunteers are also benefited. Filipe Abreu, who helped remove the mud from the school where Vilma works, says, "It was very important to note that it is possible to do important and good things for people." 

The news of the work carried out by the Caleb Mission spread to the cities surrounding Caratinga and gained space in the news, increasing the possibility of obtaining more donations.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site