BRAZIL — When the Guiba River’s levee system was compromised, all but three neighborhoods in the city of Canoas in Brazil were suddenly, violently flooded. Any buildings still above water became shelters and distribution centers as donations poured into the region from across Brazil.

As floodwaters now recede, new needs are uncovered, and Samaritan’s Purse continues to support churches, community leaders, and volunteers who are working tirelessly to care for displaced people. As they partner together to meet physical needs, Brazilian Christians and their Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) are able to share the hope of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marilia Goulart Cirone:

Such a difficult moment, a catastrophe. I didn’t expect it to happen in my house. The water began to come. I thought it would just stay at the stairs. When I looked again it was all the way up here. I lost everything.

Ricardo Dalcin – Pastor:

Clean water. This is very important. Indescribably important. The drinking water has been contaminated because of the large quantities of bodies in the water. It is an inexpressible thing.

John Milton – Samaritan’s Purse:

We’re here in Porto Alegre in Brazil where there has been major flooding. About 60% of the city is underwater. People are without homes. Many people have lost their lives, gone missing. Lots of the city is still without clean water. Samaritan’s Purse responded very quickly to this situation.

A lot of pastors themselves have lost their homes. Their churches are underwater, but that hasn’t stopped them from being on the frontlines. And Samaritan’s Purse is really coming alongside of them. We’ve sent down four flights that brought ten community water systems.

Jon Nickerson – Samaritan’s Purse:

We’re taking the municipal water that’s still flowing to the houses, running it through our own water filtration systems and recuperating it and then putting it out for people to drink.

John Milton:

We’ve brought thousands of non-food items, hygiene kits, blankets, tarps.

Jon Nickerson:

We can provide drinking water, and the church will continue to provide living water.

Ricardo Dalcin:

With this treatment system that Samaritan’s Purse gave us we can serve the entire community and those from the outside to bring gallons of drinking water for their consumption.

Paulo Roberto Scott Dos Santos:

We use this water for everything; drinking, cooking, hygiene. Because without water we can’t live right?

Marilia Goulart Cirone:

It helps us drink clean water, brush our teeth, drink coffee. It helps a lot. I’m very grateful for that, very grateful.

Ricardo Dalcin:

Despite all this suffering the important thing is to fulfil the great commission of Jesus Christ; and that’s what’s happening in a very powerful way. And that motivates us. It sounds crazy but if I had to give up all my material possessions to be in the position I am today evangelizing, I would have done it much sooner. I would have lost everything before now to be able to reach 600 people and tell them, ‘There is still hope. Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you.

John Milton:

What we really want to do is we want to bring the hope of the gospel. We want to bring the hope of Jesus Christ and show them that they’re not alone. It’s going to be a long road ahead. So we thank you for your support. We thank you for your prayers. And we ask that you continue to pray for the people of Brazil.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Bouquet, news@samaritan.org

Read more news on Non Profit / Faith Based Organizations, and Disaster Relief on Missions Box.