Young people present the community with balloons and messages of hope

The sun hadn't even risen yet and the young people from Base Life Pioneers, a missionary initiative, were already circulating the streets of the city of São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil, for a good cause: spreading hope to the community. At dawn, 200 families were surprised with balloons, notes containing biblical messages, words of love, comfort, and affection. The balloons with the messages were fixed on doors, gates, and windows of the houses. Participating Base representatives followed all protective health measures to combat COVID-19.

Due to the pandemic, social contact has been increasingly restricted. According to Ana Carolina Souza, secretary of Base Life Pioneers, the creative activity aimed to make the day more cheerful for community members, even with the social distancing measures in place.

“We are going through a lot of losses in our city due to COVID,” Souza says. “Keeping your distance is necessary, but we can make people feel happy in different ways. What matters is that the community knows that it can count on us.”

Mirelle Lopes was surprised by the efforts of these young people, and she keeps the messages she received with affection. 

“I want to thank these young Adventists for reaching out to our community with such generous action,” Lopes declares. “An apparently simple attitude for some, but for me, of great importance. I will keep it forever in my heart.”

Lucas de Matos, director of Base Life Pioneers, searched the internet for different missionary actions that were practical within current parameters and which would guarantee the safety of volunteers and the community.

“I saw the idea of ​​evangelism with balloons, and I found it creative, interesting, and safe for the time we are living in,” explains de Matos. “It was a good opportunity to talk about God's love in a different way.”

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