The launch of the book Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Missions was thoroughly planned by Rede-Luz Divinópolis. Unprecedented experiences fine-tuned its five members, who overcame obstacles and personal barriers in the face of the importance of the service of diffusion. They sub-divided the tasks. They advertised at educational institutions and local media, placed posters in dozens of establishments, delivered flyers by hand, and posted invitations on social networks.
Once the dates were scheduled, the day arrived for Ana Regina to arrive by car, 125 miles away, by coordinator Maria das Graças Faria Campos, who tells us her biggest challenge was the flyer: “When I walk through the streets, I refuse to pick up flyers, and I went there, in the streets and institutions, ‘distributing flyers’. However, it was not difficult to approach and talk about the event with enthusiasm to people with different personalities, different ideas, different ways of expression. Those people were friendly and received them.”
On those sunny days, the writer started the conversation with the population in the program Bom dia Divinópolis. Throughout the day, she proceeded with interviews on Radio and TV Minas and the branch of Rede Globo, MG1 of TV Integração.
She also donated her four books to the Ataliba Lago Public Library, where a round table discussion was held with the Municipal Secretary of Culture and the librarians.
“We had a pleasant time, in the company of friends, reflecting on life.”
“The conversation with Ana Regina Nogueira made me realize that we should look around us to see the daily miracles in the little things in life, knowing how wonderful our life is,” expressed Maria Madalena and Nilmara, respectively.
In lectures over the next two days, both UEMG university students and Senac audiences engaged in altruistic stories of missionaries who lovingly relieve the agony of needy people from various nations. They heard about the awakening of consciousness, which takes us beyond the common life, the materialistic illusion and teaches us the reason why we were born: to evolve in serving the other. The audiences were silent and inspired, which led teacher Virginia to comment: “With the talk of unconditional love for all beings, Ana Regina, in a clear way, draws people close to her. Usually, the students arrive at the lectures and, after signing the attendance list, they leave. That night, they didn’t leave!!! Another thing: I went back to the classroom with them and we had an inspired discussion. It was beautiful to watch the missionaries in action that were presented in the videos. Wonderful scenes! They were with each person in a personal way, for example, in caring for the wounds on the feet of Venezuelan refugees. They see the other as themselves“.
The first of many book dedication was to the mayor of Divinópolis, who sent a representative to welcome the author and to bring her a book.
Wilda dos Santos Araújo participated in each step. In March 2019, during the writer’s lecture about the book Fraternidade at the General Meeting of the Light-Community of Figueira, I wept and saw tears rolling down on the faces of others. Ana Regina brought us the presence of the instructor Trigueirinho who, through her, guided our journey. I felt like reading her books. I started withEnsolarar Vidas, which broadened my vision of the work. It was like penetrating new dimensions. Reading her book awakened in me a feeling of obligation to collaborate so that more people read his books and see how it is possible to make a difference in the world through small acts of love.
Parallel to the book launches, there was an active distribution of books by Irdin Editora, driven by the operational manager Evandro O. Leite, supported by members of Light-Network. The books were well received in bookstores, which requested them for sales and for loans to clients, interested in the publications and pilgrim CDs. It was agreed that instructional videos would be given to readers. A bookstand was also set up in the center of the city. Passengers with a search eye were being welcomed, like the poet or the mother of flutist Fernando Queiroga, who would play at the Senac event. Some knew Trigueirinho’s writings. Evandro remembers: “A lot of people took a closer look through the diffusion of the flyers. Some went to the lecture. A military policeman became interested in the humanitarian work and, when the Roraima Humanitarian Missions were explained to him, he promised to donate air miles.”
Alexandrina, a missionary of the Fraternidade FIHF, concluded: “I went to collaborate, but I received more than I gave. It was a surprise when Ana Regina opened the book in a random way and read one of my talks about the experiences lived by me and the group in the missions of Turkey, Greece, Roraima. Everything was beautiful—the music, the smiles, the people, the lessons received.”
Words involved in love for those who serve and those who are served, renewed four listeners who, the following week, participated in the Missionary Experience in Carmo da Cachoeira. Another, inspired by the book Living the Love of Dogs, contacted local veterinarians to come together and visit the Francis of Assisi Park kennel.
After the meeting, Maria Emilia Mendes Henriques, of the Light-Network, stated, “On these days, a ray of light descended on the city of the Divine – Divinopolis”.
