A group of people touched by the difficulties in which many homeless people live in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, gather every weekend to share a little love with those who live on the streets of the great metropolis.
The service consists in the elaboration and distribution of food. It is coordinated by one of the 22 groups of the São Paulo Network-of-Light, affiliated with the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation, and counts on the collaboration of volunteers from different spiritual paths such as evangelicals, spiritists and even atheists, who, transcending their differences, gather to practice together the common good for their neighbor, who needs more.
About 150 afflicted hearts, the majority of whom men addicted to alcohol and drugs, find every Sunday a little oasis of peace and consolation in the sidewalk of the corner formed by Rego Freitas Street and Consolation Avenue, in República Neighborhood. There, from 11 a.m. and noon, a vegetarian soup is served.
The food is prepared in a nearby restaurant, whose owner offers the place for this charitable action and asks his workers to leave the ingredients semi-prepared the day before. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, the members of the Network-of-Light begin the activity with a spiritual attunement. In the meanwhile, the other volunteers begin the preparation of the soup. A little after 10 a.m., both groups gather to complete details and to head to the place where the food is served.
Opening attunement in the church of Consolation
“This experience has taught us that if we do not remain connected to the High and concentrated in the inner task during the distribution of the soup, the energy of those assisted easily becomes stirred, and this can generate serious imbalances and conflicts”, comments Moyses Tinoco, the coordinator of the Network-of-Light group that assumed the service in May 2016.
“We are also learning to love the others as they are, without criticism nor judgment; to work in group, developing unity and to thank for so many blessings received”, he goes on to explain.
Closing attunement in the place of service
“It is certainly not easy to Wake up early on Sundays after working hard during the whole week, but here I find something greater. We are in life to give, to surrender; it is so satisfactory to participate in an activity in which the objective is simply to help our neighbor, without any financial interest. When someone finds a group organized to channel this impulse there is no excuse anymore not to do it”, comments Fausto, a volunteer who had been collaborating for some months.
Once finished the lunch, the group gathers in circle to thank God for all that has been accomplished.
The group counts on your help; get in touch at: redeluzsaopaulo@fraterinternacional.org
