An Anchor of Hope: Brazil Flood Response

Last month, thousands of people were forced to flee their homes after days of heavy rain caused major flooding across southern Brazil. Samaritan's Purse deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team to establish community water points, distribute much-needed supplies, and share the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ with the people of Brazil.

While she was in Brazil, Leslie Klein, a member of our Disaster Assistance Response Team, spoke with Kristy Graham, host of On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse. Twenty-three years ago, Leslie and her family moved to Brazil as mission team for a church start up. Now, decades later, she returned to serve the people of Porto Alegre. Leslie came across a Brazilian man whom she had shared the Gospel with when he was a teenager.

“And he just said, ‘I'm just overwhelmed at the goodness of God. The person who's here is the person who shared the goodness and the hope of Christ with me. God is so invested in the small things that here you are when I didn't even know how to put one foot in front of the other. And it's at this hotel in this gigantic city.’”—Leslie Klein

One of our podcast correspondents, Grace, was on the ground and got to hear from a teenager named Mariana whose life was flipped upside down after the flood. Her community, including her home and church, were all under water, but she was still able to see God's hand in the situation. Though her circumstances were difficult, she saw this flood as an opportunity to reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“It's a gift for us to be part of this. We lose things, but we still have God. I hope that everybody can trust in God in this moment.”—Mariana Dalcen

Leslie considers it an honor and privilege to come alongside those who have lost everything in Brazil. She has witnessed the whole city working together, and the body of Christ is leading in that effort. Mariana’s father, Pastor Ricardo, has already seen good come out of this disaster.

“We are in such a beautiful time of telling people there’s still hope. There is still hope. His name is Jesus.”—Pastor Ricardo Dalcen“We are in such a beautiful time of telling people there’s still hope. There is still hope. His name is Jesus.”—Pastor Ricardo Dalcen

Grace talked to a man who left his home in the middle of the night when the flood waters came. All he was able to take with him were his dogs. Now, living in a shelter with 300 people, the man seemed to be doing all right. But when Grace asked how he was able to smile in the midst of this tragedy, he broke down. Grace told the man that God cares about him and there are people around the world praying for him daily.

You can join us in praying for the people of Brazil as the waters recede, people return to their homes, and the rebuilding begins. Pray also for our church partners as they faithfully serve their local communities. If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.