Agents of Hope Bruno and Abby Gomes with Open Arms Worldwide traveled last week to the region of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, partnering with the Evangelical Alliance to support communities recovering from recent catastrophic rains, landslides, and flooding. The severe weather left many homes damaged or filled with mud and debris, forcing families—especially the elderly—to face overwhelming cleanup and recovery needs. Responding to the crisis, Bruno and Abby joined local volunteers to provide practical help and compassionate care to those affected.

“Abby and I were praying about the tragedy that happened in Juiz de Fora, and we felt directed by the Spirit to go and serve the people who were suffering,” Bruno shared. Soon after arriving, the team visited the home of an elderly couple whose bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom were filled with mud. Together with other volunteers, they removed the thick mud, cleaned furniture, and restored the home to a livable condition. The couple’s joy at seeing their house clean again was deeply moving for everyone involved.

In the days that followed, Bruno and Abby visited the homes of two women who lived alone and had seen their houses overtaken by floodwaters. Abby spent time cleaning the kitchen—washing dishes, scrubbing the stove and sink—while also listening to their stories and the pain they had experienced. Volunteers were able to pour a new cement floor in the bedrooms and place small stones around the home to keep residents from stepping into the mud. One of the women later expressed her gratitude simply, saying, “How good it feels to feel loved.”

Moments like these reflect the heart of the work of Open Arms Worldwide. While the organization’s primary mission focuses on serving children and teens through long-term programs and community support, its Agents of Hope step in during times of crisis to serve vulnerable families and communities in need. Through partnerships with local churches and leaders, Open Arms responds with practical help, compassion, and faith—reminding people that they are not alone in the midst of hardship. For Bruno and Abby, the experience in Juiz de Fora captured that mission clearly. “It was truly worth it to go, to serve, and to love,” they said.