{"id":68930,"date":"2017-11-30T14:54:16","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T17:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fraterinternacional.org\/?p=68930"},"modified":"2017-11-30T14:54:16","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T17:54:16","slug":"33-missionary-practice-community-light-figueira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fraterinternacional.org\/en\/33-missionary-practice-community-light-figueira\/","title":{"rendered":"33rd Missionary Practice in the Community-of-Light of Figueira"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Between November 11 and 19, the 33<\/span>rd <\/span>Missionary Practice of the Community-of-Light of Figueira<\/a> was held. The main focus was the revitalization of the Hut of Saint Joseph, which attends needy people in the city of Carmo da Cachoeira, Minas Gerais, Brazil.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 33<\/span>rd<\/span> edition of the Missionary Practice had the participation of 93 people ages between 20 and 83, who came from 28 Brazilian cities and countries such as Colombia, United States and France. Of the nine youths who participated, three had information about the Practice at the stand of the Fraternidade located in the Youth Festival for Peace<\/a> conducted in Rio de Janeiro.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the eight days of collaboration the group participated in several tasks both inside and outside the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hut of Saint Joseph<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

During all days of the Practice a work was conducted of revitalization of the Hut of Saint Joseph, which had broken tiles and needed painting. The activity had the collaboration of the Network-of-Light<\/a> of Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe felt we needed to make improvements in the space, in order to better attend people, shelter them from rain and sun, expand the space and better receive the children that come\u201d, said Tissiane, the coordinator of the feminine house in the Carmo Mission and one of the coordinators of the Missionary Practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In the task at the Hut, one group did the selection of clothes and another became responsible for the works. The place was renovated, the iron doors were sanded and painted, the lawn was mown and the construction begun of a new covered area to receive people and to conduct activities for children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Planting of trees<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Another importante activity of the group was the planting of 500 trees in the area of the Lands of the Brotherhood. Some people of the area joined the task, and together with the members of the Missionary Practice they planted some trees of fast growth and others of slower growth. The place was already with the earth prepared and revolved, and the volunteers then planted the trees, limed and then watered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe task of reforestation had the objective of integrating two woods that were separated by a great area without forest, which may have the use of soil and the water course compromised. The animals that ramble in this wood are also at risk as they have to cross this area without forest to reach the other wood. This corridor of trees will help them have more security and food\u201d, explained Luzia Serdano, one of the coordinators of the Practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The collaborators also participated in a group service of cleaning and organization at the headquarters of the <\/span>Fraternidade \u2013 International Humanitarian Federation, <\/b>tasks of revitalization of the Plant Kingdom (harmonization of the garden) at the headquarters of Irdin Editora<\/a> and activities in the Park of the Kingdoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At the Association of Parents and Friends of Disabled Persons (Apae), in the town of Carmo da Cachoeira, the group served snacks and conducted recreational activities for the children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some missionaries also participated in the production of vegan canine cookies at the House of Light on the Hill<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the 17<\/span>th<\/span>, the group went to the House for Elderly People of the town, where they cooked a pie and spent the afternoon singing with the Elders with the presence of a singer from the town.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the following day, the group participated in a task of revitalization of the area of outdoor showers of F2, with the cleaning of the site of the showers, foot-washing, and also the harmonization of the area of vegetation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Activity for the eucalyptus<\/b><\/p>\n

During the activity of preparation of the Missionary Practice, the places are visited to learn about the existing needs. In one of these visits, in the area of showers of F2, the coordinators found an eucalyptus tree. It was close to the stairs that give access to the shower area, and had a very suffering aspect. After contacting the Group of Trees of the community, which looks after the species of this Kingdom, they were informed that the tree was already known to the sector, and that seemed to suffer great sadness. It was indicated thus for the group of the Practice to work in favor of the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the eucalyptus, a welcoming ceremony was made, where each member of the group addressed it a word of welcome, restoration or healing. Then some mantras and chants were made for the eucalyptus. \u201cIt was a very beautiful ceremony, and full of love. We expressed that it would be the representative of all trees that are suffering on this planet, and which would not have the opportunity it was having of being welcomed by a group of love. We believe it became imprinted in its experience here on Earth\u201d, said Luzia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The closing on the 19<\/span>th<\/span> had many testimonies of participants who demonstrated a lot of gratitude for having participated in the Practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mara Fazzi is 72, and came from the city of Sao Louren\u00e7o, in the state of Minas Gerais, to collaborate with yet another Missionary Practice. According to the volunteer, who has participated in many Practices, the experience makes her feel a very strong group energy, and makes it possible to do things that she cannot do by herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joaquim, from the city of Betim, has known the work of the Community-of-Light of Figueira for 27 years, and this was his first Missionary Practice. With the closing of the event, he will continue the missionary work participating in the Roraima Mission in Boa Vista. \u201cThis period was fantastic. I learned here something very important: obedience and how to wait. This Missionary Practice brought me a very deep joy, for having fulfilled this period and having this opportunity of going to Roraima\u201d, said Joaquim.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a moment of great union and we had the certainty that the task was fulfilled. It became very clear that all felt very warmly welcome and were very grateful for participating in this Missionary Practice\u201d, said Luzia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t