Since the beginning of the pandemic, Isabel Thomaz Lima, age 64, has not been to church. Being part of the COVID-19 risk group, she follows the services on the internet. However, last Sabbath afternoon, Isabel had the opportunity to visit the church she attends and some of its members, even if from a distance. The opportunity was the result of a drive-thru conducted by the Women's Ministries department of the Adventist Church of Casa Verde, in the northern region of São Paulo. The action paid tribute to the female audience due to Women's Day, celebrated on March 8.

For those who have been away from face-to-face services for almost a year, Isabel considers the church's concern for people essential. “I thought this attitude of planning this contact with the members was important, even though it was a very quick contact, but, in my view, very valuable”, she commented. She also mentioned she prepared to participate in the action. "I had already scheduled to go to the drive thru to honor the work of the sisters, and I also felt privileged by the team."

Act of Affection

This is Jeane de Paula's first year as a local leader in Women’s Ministries . According to her, the drive-thru was carried out by thinking about all the women of the Adventist churches in the region, especially the elderly women who have not been to church for months due to the pandemic. On Jeane's team, ten women organized the action, distributing a personalized bookmark and pocket mirror, both with special messages. “I felt used by God to practice an act of affection in order to alleviate a little [bit of] this sad moment that we are living”, she said.

According to Jeane, about 70 women were impacted by the action. “I would have liked to have reached more women, but I understand that many are not really leaving home. But we wanted to remember the meaning of women and the importance we have for the world. We are representatives of Jesus everywhere: in the home, at work, in the education of children, in everything. So, that day could not be left unnoticed”, she pointed out.

Divine Recognition

For Marziane Guimarães, director of Women’s Ministries for the East São Paulo Conference, it is very important to remember women have a great role in society and are often not recognized for this. “This remembrance in the church is also necessary, as women have made a big difference. They are 60% of our Christian community. There are women who are the heroines in their homes, but they have never been recognized in society”, she highlighted.

Marziane adds that women warriors are those who fight battles every day to provide wellbeing to the family and, above all, serve God and the church. “They are women who, although they are often not recognized by human eyes, are of great value to God. Today, we are a strong church through the support of simple women who allow themselves to be used by God to transform lives. [Their] strength is admirable, even if the world does not recognize it”, concluded the director.

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