Brazilians living in a region devastated by a once-a-century flood are more open to the gospel than in recent memory, say ABWE missionaries on the ground.
In May 2024, rainfall eight times the monthly average fell on cities and towns in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, leading to widespread flooding that submerged rooftops, destroyed houses, and displaced an estimated 600,000 residents. It also sparked a humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold.
“It just wiped out entire cities,” said Randy Richner, ABWE regional director for Brazil, who lives about 10 minutes up a mountain from the flood zone.
Brazilian authorities estimate that it could take up to 10 years to rebuild the region. Even in the crisis, however, the ABWE South Brazil team has witnessed God moving through Rio Grande do Sul—one of the least evangelized states in Brazil.
“The flood has really helped to soften people’s hearts,” he said.
Many gospel conversations have unfolded in shelters and local church plants, where the entire South Brazil team has engaged Brazilians in discussion while handing out food, water, and personal hygiene items. After one interaction, a woman expressed a desire to get back in church. Others confessed to being caught in the stranglehold of sin, whether alcoholism or other vices, and wanted to turn their lives around. Randy told each one: “You need faith in Christ.”
“People were very open to talking to me, especially because I was taking food and making sure that they were doing okay,” said Randy.
Likewise, ABWE missionaries work with local pastors to assist and encourage members of their congregations affected by the floods. One believer shared how she grabbed her Bible in a split-second decision as the floodwaters closed in. Another told Randy that she has lost all her possessions but still has Jesus.
“She started singing this song about, ‘If you have Jesus, you have everything,’” he said.
Such conversations have been possible thanks to donations to the ABWE South America flood relief fund, which supplied essential resources to distribute necessities, clean out houses and churches, build furniture, and set up washer and dryer stations for those affected by the disaster.
The team also reconstructed a kitchen at a ravaged school to build additional relational bridges in a community. “It was very humbling,” Randy said, “to see all these kids that . . . just were so happy that they could have a meal at their school.”
The team’s goal now is to launch a centralized distribution center offering food, supplies, chiropractic care, dentistry, and spiritual counseling during the long rebuilding process.
ABWE’s support in the region, Randy said, is making an eternal difference.
“I think our reputation in the community grew,” Randy said. “And I think a lot of people are able to see that we want to be salt and light. We want to be a channel of God’s love in this area.”
