LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: Week of March 6-12, 2023, “How we can help when disaster strikes, Video: Devastating flood in Brazil, Analysis and Responses.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: March 6-12, 2023, Video: Devastating flood in Brazil, Analysis and Responses.

"How we can help when a disaster occurs" (10 min.): Analysis with the audience and video.

What impresses you about the relief efforts carried out by Jehovah's Witnesses in Brazil after these floods? (Main question).

What impresses me the most is that the brothers immediately mobilize to help their affected brothers, because in the video we can see that all the circuit brothers collaborate to such a degree that in just a few hours they collected almost a ton and a half of food.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

One of the most surprising things is how well organized and coordinated we Jehovah's Witnesses are. When the flood occurred, the Brothers from the relief work department contacted the congregation elders and they already knew that all the brothers in the town were safe. Unlike the world's religions that wait for the authorities to act, Jehovah's Witnesses are immediately activated to help in the face of tragedy.

Another surprising thing is how fast disaster relief arrives. After the flood and just a few hours, more than a ton and a half of food had already been collected to support the affected brothers.

In addition, it is mentioned that in just three days they received 7 tons of food, 3 tons of water and a lot of clothing and furniture for those affected by this disaster, and also something very impressive is the testimony that is given in these circumstances, many people are surprised when see the unity and support of our brothers.

In the video we see how some residents of the localities affected by the floods are amazed to see how Jehovah's Witnesses support each other, that was an excellent testimony that made these people reason about how different we are in relation to the religions of the world, since they had not received any kind of support from their churches or interest from their religious leaders.

Our Sister Criziane Verderame mentions that something happened to her with an elderly lady, since, as she saw that there were many people cleaning her house, she asked them, why are there so many people in her house? They all live there, she replied that they were brothers and sisters from her congregation and took the opportunity to identify themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses. and the lady replied that no one from her church had come to help her, they didn't even help her get out of her house, let alone clean it. In that moment the sister she saw more clearly than ever how special our brotherhood is.

One surprising thing is that thanks to this good organization in Jehovah's people and how well coordinated everything is, duplication of efforts, confusion, and waste of money and materials are avoided when a natural disaster occurs. On the other hand, it also saves time. In this way you can act much faster, which in these circumstances can make a big difference in many ways.

Another surprising thing is that although the brothers from the Relief Work Department already have their instructions, guidelines, plans and strategies, they contact the local authorities when a natural disaster occurs in order to facilitate our Relief work.

It is also amazing how the global brotherhood prays for those affected whether they are brothers or not, and why they are participating in relief efforts. Also, how many brothers fill out applications to work as volunteers and how we all feel impelled to make voluntary donations to help all our brothers who are going through a tragedy.

Another thing that may surprise many people is that when a natural disaster occurs, Jehovah's Witnesses do not stampede to the scene of the tragedy, instead we calmly wait for guidance and instructions on what to do. to be able to support, and we have learned that this is correct because if we do the opposite instead of helping, we could rather cause obstacles to relief work.

The fact that the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses works with such coordination and order gives us hope, endurance and calm when these natural disasters occur, this surprises those who observe us, which is an excellent testimony of our trust and faith in your organization. .

It is also surprising that when these emergency situations due to natural disasters occur, many brothers volunteer and increase the donations of the specific items or the money necessary to buy the products that are needed to support the affected brothers, some may wonder Where does so much help come immediately? And this is thanks to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses are very well organized and obedient to Jehovah's guidance.

ANALYSIS OF OTHER ADDITIONAL POINTS OF THE VIDEO.

In January 2020, torrential rains hit the states of Minas Gerais and Espiritu Santo in southeastern Brazil. The floods affected about 60 families of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The city was destroyed, everything was in chaos, the bridges fell and the water carried away many of the houses that were near the river.

What worried the brothers who work in relief work the most was to know if our brothers were okay, that is why they contacted the elders in the area and if everyone was safe, they immediately asked the brothers for help. of the circuit and in just a few hours almost a ton and a half of food had already been collected.

In just three days, seven tons of food, 3 tons of water, and a lot of clothing and furniture were received.

Although our city is in this situation, as Jehovah's people we are United, so we are fine. Jehovah is with us and is helping us we have no doubt. 

How can we help when disaster strikes? (Optional question)

In view of the fact that there are more and more Natural disasters, each time one occurs, as the paragraph mentions, relief efforts must be very well organized and coordinated. And for that the governing body instructs us that all branches around the world have a relief work department.

When there has been a disaster and the brothers find out about it, they immediately contact the local elders to find out what the publishers are doing and whether the damage is serious. And if the local publishers cannot cope alone, that is when the branch appoints qualified brothers to lead the relief efforts.

And in order for them to carry out their work, it is likely that these brothers may ask for volunteers or donations of specific items, or they may also buy and distribute the products that you need. We could also see that there can be several reasons why it is better to organize the work, one of them may be that this avoids duplicating efforts, confusion and wasting money and materials, and that can happen if you decide to act on your own. own account.

And it is also important that the brothers who are appointed by the branch can determine how much money and how many volunteers will be needed, they can also contact the local authorities, since often in this situation they can facilitate our relief efforts. That is why the paragraph encourages us not to take the initiative to raise funds or send supplies, much less travel to the affected areas.

In addition, the paragraph mentions that if we love our brothers, we should not stand idly by, because if we do not have resources to help, what we can do is something very important that the paragraph highlights, which is to pray for those affected and for who are participating in relief efforts.

And if our circumstances allow us, we can make donations to the worldwide work, since the branches that work under the direction of the governing body are in a better position to know how and where to use the funds. And if we have the time and desire, we can offer ourselves personally, indicating our availability by filling out the DC-50 Local Design-Build Volunteer Application.