During the week of March 27 to April 3, the Easter Mutirão in Brazil helped bring basic food baskets to 910 northern Bahian families. Even in the face of a health crisis, Adventist volunteers in the region mobilized in various ways to guarantee food to local families during Easter. The volunteers followed all social distancing, masking, and sanitizing protocols as they worked. 

“The pandemic caused situations of pain, unemployment, and consequently, problems in the food area,” says Social worker Ana Paula Santos, volunteer. “At this moment, solidarity is welcoming because it is extremely necessary to bring love and hope, and to demonstrate through action a God who takes care of everyone. We go to great lengths to help needy families across northern Bahia.”

Restoring compassion

Adventists from the Bahian municipality of Senhor do Bonfim donated basic food baskets to socially vulnerable families. The baskets contained grape juice, brown bread, Bibles, books on hope, and masks. In all, seven families received special baskets, containing about 30 kg (66 lbs) of food each. 

“I was worried and wondering how I was going to eat and feed my family this morning,” expressed Dona Tereza, one of the recipients of a basket. “I had just run out of gas, and you came to help me.”

Valdete Simões is a resident of the Missão do Sahy community, and she was so moved to open her heart about her financial situation. 

“For those of us who live on less than 300 reais (US $53) a month, something is always missing at the end of the month,” she admitted. “I am grateful to all of you because this food will help me a lot. I am touched and I ask God to continue sending angels to help me, may God bless them.”

The Restoring Compassion project, another assistance support initiative, aims to help people in all possible ways and train volunteers seeking to restore human beings through support of their basic needs. 

“I am grateful to God for choosing us for this project,” says volunteer Eli Lopes. “I know we have our problems, but when we see the need of our neighbors, ours disappear.”

According to the Adventist Solidarity Action (ASA) leader in the region, Dagson Nascimento, the difficulties in supporting families in the midst of a health crisis were many, but the situation served as a motivation to continue doing good. 

“Despite tiredness, limitations, and few resources available, it is a privilege to bring hope to families in social vulnerability, using our talents and time to help those in need,” he states. “That is our objective: We are hands, we are feet, and we are the solidarity of Jesus at all times.”

In the city of Umburanas, Adventists presented 45 families with basic food baskets and fresh fish, distributing more than 700 kilos (1,543 lbs) of food and 80 fish.

According to volunteer Janilde Correia, what touched her most was seeing people being impacted, surprised, and grateful. 

“There is always someone who needs our help,” she points out. “We must do more and use our time with quality, for the benefit of others.”

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