Lives Are Changed . . . When Someone Chooses to Care

Recently, I watched a video on Facebook entitled The Conditioned. It’s 4½ minutes in length but is a powerful story that touched my soul and brought me to tears. Take a few minutes to watch it. The video briefly tells the story of Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho, a homeless man who lived in anonymity for 35 years on a street median in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. In a city of almost 12 million people, Raimundo sat in his same spot every day, his “island,” as people walked by, never giving him a second thought. To the world around him, he was just another dirty old homeless man living on the streets.

Raimundo was a man who found great joy and pleasure in writing; in particular, poetry. He would write every day, hoping that maybe, just maybe, his words might be remembered by someone or even published in a book. However, deep down he knew it was more than likely a pipe dream. But then one day, in the spring of 2011, he was befriended by a young lady named Shalla Monteiro.  Shalla made a point to stop by every day to visit with Raimundo, and on the first day he gave her one of his poems. She read the poem and was so moved by its message that she created a Facebook page for Raimundo so that his poems and stories could be shared with others.

Sometime later, Shalla received a message from one of Raimundo’s brothers. Because of Shalla’s choice to care and show some kindness and compassion for this homeless man, Raimundo’s brother was finally able to locate him. After 57 years of looking, the emptiness and void that Raimundo’s brothers had experienced in their lives finally came to an end. Long story short, Raimundo moved in with this brother who had messaged Shalla after seeing the Facebook page. Now, Raimundo is not a guest in his brother’s home, but a very integral part of the family. And, Raimundo’s poems have been published!

Each of us, as members of the Lynchburg College family, is given opportunities to make choices every day. Whether our choices are for a positive impact or for a negative one, lives will indeed be changed. However, for such a time as this, let us choose to show love in a world being torn apart by hatred and division. Let us choose to show compassion and be a sign of hope in a world longing for peace. And, may we take the time in a world of busyness to show someone else that we genuinely care. Again, lives are changed, for the better…when someone chooses to care.

Randy Bower

Minister on Call