Conde cannot walk even a block without reaching out to someone and offering a hug, a kind word or spiritual counsel. This is how terrible the grief in Alto da Serra (Sierra Heights in English) is. Conde had called Alto da Serra home for 42 years, and considered it “the best place on Earth.”

Conde is a fervent evangelical Christian and sees it as his divine duty to help others in the aftermath of disaster. Conde believes God instructed him to provide comfort, compassion, and assistance to others, and to help the community heal from the scarring effects of the disaster.

“Whichever you see in need of help, you will go to help. Conde stated that he was instructed by the Lord to keep him on his feet. “God has given me the words to encourage everyone who needs it.”

He was walking along the streets one day, about a week following the landslide when he saw a man without a shirt, who he recognized. Conde wrapped his arms around Conde, who had just lost a friend. They rested their heads on one another’s shoulders for a while.

Conde saw Adalto da Silva, a man walking across the street. Da Silva was with his 21-year old son on the day of the slide; their son was swept away by the mud. Da Silva’s wife tried to protect their 6-year-old daughter, but she fell downhill. Their bodies were still in that embrace, and they were found in the mud.

Conde sat da Silva on a chair and then knelt down before him, holding his shoulders. Conde said that he felt his pain and they spoke for long periods, looking into each other’s eyes. Da Silva cried.

There are always others in need of comfort. The February 15th slides caused the destruction of dozens of homes within Sierra Heights, and more than 200 deaths in the entire city.

Conde is a tireless man, always on the move. He is never bored, and that keeps him from dwelling on his own sorrow.

Prior to the tragedy, he was employed at a silk-screening business with his childhood friend Thiago die Gracas. He considered Thiago more like a brother. His actual brother, Ivan and Conde’s oldest son, Kaique (18), were also employed. Kaique is currently saving for his first car and working as a screener.

The day that Petropolis received 10 inches of rain in three hours was the worst downpour in the 90-year history of recordkeeping. Conde ran for home as soon as the rain stopped. Kaique stayed behind and watched soccer on his phone while he waited for his uncle.

Conde heard a rumble that sounded like thunder at home and then a louder, closer roar. Conde ran outside as the metal roof began rattling. He was surrounded by dirt, carrying roofing, roofing, and other materials. Conde sank down and thought, “I’m going be buried.”

The torrent came by the house, only a few feet away. A dense cluster of multistory houses was just moments ago, but now it was a muddy mess strewn in wreckage. Conde ran to the workshop, where he found that it had also been swallowed.

Two days later, searchers pulled Kaique’s body out of the mud. Conde then jumped into helping others.

This included daily visits to another shelter, where a friend was being cared for after being severely hurt by the slide.

A friend was unable to move his legs when he was sitting on the ground and leaning against a wall. A bandage covering his head was ripped by blood. Conde assisted him in getting into a wheelchair to get him to the toilet.

Conde stated, “Everyday I come here to aid.” “I cannot stay in the shelter (where his families are). There, I will start to remember my son.”

He only returned at night to the shelter, walking alone, and he admitted that he had once wept. He took deep, steadying breaths as he approached the shelter and then went in to be with his family.

Conde was called by the morgue to inform them that Kaique’s body was ready for release. He took a ride to Gabriela to meet his wife. As the car passed heavy machinery still excavating areas left by the slide, friends offered their condolences.

He looked through photos of Sierra Heights residents lost on his phone. Solange and Eli hosted barbecues. His best friend, his brother.

Conde, upon arriving at the morgue assured his sister-in-law that Kaique had complied with the Lord’s commands and was thus saved. During the preparation of burial arrangements, Conde shared his thoughts with the funeral representative.

Elisangela Gomes, the representative, stated that “I believe his faith and prayers, as well as his willingness to help fellow men left helpless, has kept him strong.” Alex is the most confident person I know of who believes in God.

Conde was composed as he carried his coffin up the steep hillside, surrounded by fresh graves and sparse grass. Conde lowered Kaique into the ground and turned his head. He closed his eyes. After a while, he wrapped his arm around his wife and stood in silence for a while. He thanked Kaique and cherished the time they shared together.

Conde felt God’s presence the next night at a friend’s house and wept unabashedly. “To wash the soul,” Conde said.

Conde brought his 14-year old son Piter back to Sierra Heights for the last time. Conde wanted Piter to see the aftermath of the landslide and where Kaique had been killed.

Conde reached out to her arm and helped hold onto the mattress-laden woman. He told her that only those who have been baptized will be saved and encouraged her to trust God for strength.

“My God is keeping my feet on the ground.” He … is very strong,” Conde told her. “And who am i to question God’s sovereignty?” I am a mere mortal who God placed here and I will not complain or question His actions. The only thing a believer should have is the certainty of salvation.

Conde took the burden of the woman’s bed and carried it down the hill.