South American Division

Adventists in Brazil Affected by Floods Thank God for Life at the Maranatha Convention

ADRA's solidarity market enables purchases to help those affected in Rio Grande do Sul.

June 8, 2024

Brazil

Liseht Santos, with ANN Staff

Reception for Adventists from Rio Grande do Sul.

[Photo: Liseht Santos]

After 40 hours of travel by bus, a group of Adventists from the region of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, arrived at the BRB Mané Garrincha Arena in Brasilia and participated in the Young Maranatha Convention, which is organized by the South American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This event seeks to contribute to thousands of young people's social and spiritual development.

Arrival of the Rio Grande Do Sul delegation at the BRB Mané Garrincha Arena.

The word most pronounced by the young Adventists was “gratitude” to God since many of them were affected by the floods that occurred in May. Recently, thousands of homes were devastated, buildings collapsed, and thousands of economic losses occurred. Despite this situation, they have not lost faith, and today, they testify of resilience to the Maranata participants.

“God has taken care of us through many people who have helped us, among them volunteers, ADRA has also given us food and clothing. And we have also helped those who are in a much more serious situation because there is a lot of need,” said Emanuel da Silva Martins, a young Adventist from Camaquã, in Rio Grande do Sul.

"Lajeado" Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cruzeiro do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul) was flooded.

Likewise, Ronie Ossuoski, district pastor of Legado, Rio Grande do Sul, said that his region is made up of six cities and that the situation there was very serious. In one of these cities, 2000 houses disappeared, and 40 Legado Central Adventist Church members lost their homes. However, the Adventists in this territory remain faithful to the mission since, after this emergency, many people have become interested in studying the Bible.

ADRA Promotes Solidarity in Maranata

Nearly 20,000 young people participated in the Young Maranatha Convention. Here, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) installed a (virtual) solidarity market so that purchases made by Brazilian and foreign attendees are destined to help those affected in Rio Grande do Sul. ADRA has also activated its aid campaigns for those affected by floods in the territories of the countries of Argentina and Uruguay.