CORONAVIRUS disease has spread all over the world and affected countless of lives across natios.
But a Negrense who is filled with God’s love and provision never wavered to reach out to his neighbors in the State of California despite the risk of Covid-19, purposely to share what he has to those who cannot go out to obtain their basic necessities in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dandy De Paula, a native of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental who is currently based in Southern California, USA, performed an extra mile to others especially the elderly who felt lonely and needy at the height of the pandemic.
Dandy and Friends is a group of caring individuals who continue to reach out to the community with proper facial protection and practicing physical distancing. They deliver food, toilet papers, paper towels and other essentials to those who are most vulnerable and who are immunocompromised.
“Every week, we visit a senior mobile home in the City of Hawaiian Gardens, Southeast of Los Angeles, and deliver to some residents who are at risk and have no means to go out and acquire their essential needs.”
“At one time, we delivered toilet supplies and snacks to 220 residents. Due to the Safer at Home order by the Governor of California Gavin Newsom, most seniors feel alone. Every time we visit, they feel a sense of love and care - and sometimes they cry tears of joy. One time, we asked the Lakewood Sheriff’s Department to have a patrol car parade around the senior homes community. The seniors were surprised and they were very happy,” he shared.
“The elderly can afford to buy their needs but because of the risk, they are encouraged to stay home. Most of them are alone in their homes,” he said.
He said, “We operate under God’s provision. I am blessed with generous friends and a partner agency, Food Finders, Inc., who share my passion for bringing the love of Christ to the community in a tangible way. We can easily be shaken by the uncertainty of life during this pandemic. There are those who are living in a more difficult situation. We bring blessings to them. In every bag of blessing we give, we place a little poster with scripture to encourage them that God will never leave them nor forsake them. We also go out to provide food and personal hygiene to people who are experiencing homelessness. We give God all the glory.”
Currently, the State of California has 35,000 Covid-19 cases with approximately more than 1,000 new cases added.
He quoted a line by Spurgeon, “I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth, I wander, but in God, I dwell in a quiet habitation.”
He urged everyone to live strong by God’s grace. Indeed, a Negrense heart shines even across oceans.