Caleb Mission Volunteers Help Pregnant Woman in Labor in Rio Grande do Sul

At the beginning of July, the southern part of Brazil was hit by the arrival of a “cyclone bomb.” Strong winds and rains passed through some regions of Rio Grande do Sul, wreaking havoc in several cities. Patrícia Xavier (36) lives in Tramandaí, on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. She was surprised by the force of the rain that late afternoon, which, in a few hours, destroyed the roof of her home.

Xavier was in her last days of pregnancy and did not know how to help her three young children.

“It was a very complicated moment,” she recalls. “The house was uncovered and everything was flooded due to the cyclone.” It was then that the youth of the Caleb Mission project came into the picture.

A group of young people had decided to dedicate time and resources to help people in their community through the Caleb Mission, a project that takes place annually in cities in eight South American countries, with the objective of helping communities and families in situations of social vulnerability.

Willingness to serve

According to Mislene Ramos, one of the leaders of the Caleb Mission in Tramandaí, the team learned of Xavier’s story from a friend of the church who contacted her and explained the situation.

“Immediately, I sent a message to the Caleb group telling what happened,” Ramos says. “We then started gathering materials to fix the roof.”

On the day of the planned event it was raining, but they decided to go ahead with the plan anyway. The team arrived around 8 a.m. at the house and had to bridge the bridge to get in. While some helped to dry the furniture, others began working on the new roof. That was when Xavier began to feel severe pain and went into labor.

“The Calebs, along with Pastor Alberto, helped me and took me to the hospital,” Xavier says. “I didn't have the baby that day, but he was ready to be born. I was very happy to be supported at that moment, as I would not have been able to do everything myself. I am very grateful.”

Gift

As soon as Xavier returned from the hospital, the group paid the family a visit. They brought gifts for the baby, clothes, diapers, and a basic necessities basket. The young mother agreed to study the Bible to learn more about Jesus that the Calebs presented.

“I felt very happy when I saw the baby well and healthy; it was even more rewarding than the project itself,” shares Mariana Farias, Caleb Mission participant. “I felt like saying: Thank you, Lord!”

According to Pastor Tiago Fraga, youth leader for the south of Rio Grande do Sul, it is in these actions that young people demonstrate their relevance to society and, through their attitudes, awaken in others a desire to know the message of Christ.

“The movement always seeks to save people,” he says. “These youth have much to teach all of us--as a church, as leaders--to serve and do the work as Jesus did. I feel really proud of these young people who have done so much and with so much dedication.”

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