Patients, family members, and employees at the Cruz Vermelha Hospital, in Curitiba, Brazil, received a little comfort through prayers and music performed by volunteers from the Chama Institute of Love (Instituto O Amor Chama - IOAC) and members of the Chama Coral Ministry. After being invited by the volunteer coordinator at the Brazilian Red Cross in Paraná, the visitors went to the hospital on March 9, 2024, and visited 110 patients and two ICUs with approximately 20 recovering patients. They sang and offered prayers to the people they met during the two-and-a-half hours they remained there. For International Women's Day, they also distributed chocolates to the staff working that day.
“This partnership in volunteering with the Cruz Vermelha Hospital institution has been going on for a long time because the hospital has been in Curitiba for 77 years. A constant practice of the institution is humanity and volunteering”, recalls Giovana Felix, the volunteer responsible for fundraising and communication from IOAC, who had a remarkable personal experience in this action. “I experienced one of the most beautiful moments when I was singing in the hallway and a door that had been closed behind me until then opened.” She reports that a man came out supported by his companion and he was crying profusely. Giovana watched emotionally as the man prostrated himself at her feet, on the hospital floor, giving his life to God. “There was no one who wasn’t moved by this scene. I knelt beside him and there I said a prayer of surrender and healing. I was assured that the Spirit of God was visiting each room.”
The initiative also impacted choir conductor Eder Rios, who recently arrived at the choir. “I thought it was fantastic to be able to sing and pray even inside the ICUs, it was an incredible experience.” Pastor Tácio Vivan, who also volunteered, said that the group will have to return more often.
The individual responsible for the choir, Anderson Cordeiro, has a rare disease and mentioned that he has been hospitalized several times and knows the importance of being visited in a hospital bed. “When you are there alone, having someone who pays attention and prays with you makes all the difference in the treatment,” he emphasizes.
Eliana Fortunato Reynaldo, volunteer coordinator for the Brazilian Red Cross, thanked the volunteers for their presence, saying during the visit: "You can come every Saturday. You will always be welcome here". She states that the institution values and promotes love for others and peace with everyone.
IOAC has already participated in other service projects together with the hospital organization, supporting and promoting service campaigns, health projects, and donation collections for communities in the region. According to Jefferson Castro, president of the institute, the volunteers and the choir were missing this initiative carried out within the hospitals. "Due to the pandemic we didn't come for years and we are very happy to be able to return to doing this work", he highlights.
The Chama Coral Ministry has in its history several external actions that benefit the community and through each participant and singer, it has brought love wherever it goes. The current director, Matheus Lazzaris, has supported participants to be active in the community like this because, according to him, he recognizes the importance of uniting members and strengthening the faith of each chorister.
The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.