In Brazil’s interior, Adventists reach out to thank health workers

SAD 48 In Brazil s interior Adventists reach out to thank health workers

South American Division

In Brazil’s interior, Adventists reach out to thank health workers

Araguaia, Brazil | Rayanne Sousa

Local nurse praises Church’s “sensitivity” for front-line personnel

Seventh-day Adventists in Santana do Araguaia, a city of 55,000 located in the south of Brazil’s interior Pará state, offered thanks and support to healthcare workers during the month of May. The expression of appreciation was heightened by the volume of work physicians, nurses, and others have faced during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"I was happy to know that the Church has this sensitive view towards health professionals", said local nurse Kelly Cristina Lins. “In the midst of all the rush that our work routine imposes on us, I was surprised and grateful for the appreciation. After all, we are in this area more used to complaints than compliments.”

It was to acknowledge and thank these efforts that the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Santana do Araguaia paid tribute to the professionals of the hospital and medical centers in the city. Church members, directly and indirectly, helped in the effort. 

“The tribute we paid is not only for the current pandemic situation but also for all situations in which these professionals are subjected to work,” said Pastor Wagner Rodrigues, headed the project. He also says that, even if simple, the tribute was a way to value the work of these people who extend their hands to help save lives.

The gesture of appreciation came at a crucial time. Along with the normal demands of the healing professions, these workers were thrust into caring for pandemic victims, meaning long separations from family and near-endless work routines. Rodrigues and the Adventists in Santana do Araguaia said they were led to step up and offer thanks during this time.

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