Bern, Switzerland [Assad Bechara, South American Division; CD EUDNews]. Dr. Milton Soldani Afonso is a Seventh-day Adventist lawyer and businessman entirely committed to the advance of the church's mission in the world. He and his family own more than 20 companies in Brazil, the most important of which is the Golden Cross, which is considered the largest health-insurance company in Latin America and the fourth largest in the world. He also owns a modern university in the city of Sao Paulo, with 14 schools, including dentistry and medicine.
The Golden Cross Group employs 70,000 individuals, among them 18,000 physicians and 5,000 health insurance representatives. Golden Cross provides assistance to more than two million insured members.
During the past two years, Dr. Afonso and his family have contributed US$100,000,000 to Adventist education, welfare, and evangelism. In 1994 he donated 11 radio stations to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South America.
"I was born in the town of Nova Lima, near the city of Belo Horizonte in southern Brazil. Our home was extremely poor. I grew up in a shack that was damp and contaminated, at the rear of a lumberyard. From a human viewpoint, I had no future and very little hope during my childhood. In order to be able to pay for my education in an adventist school I decided to go out as a student colporteur at 14 years of age. As a child, I had sold candies and cookies in the streets. That gave me a good background in salesmanship. I sold Adventist books and magazines for five years, while continuing with my studies. With God's blessing and dedication, I was very successful. So much so, that in 1941 I was the national literature sales champion in Brazil."
In addition to Adventist education, Dr. Milton is concerned about the health condition of many people in society. Having seen the dreadful effects of smoking, drinking, and other addictive drugs, he considers the health component of the Adventist message to be of great value. "God has given us specific instructions on how to live healthy and useful lives", so Dr. Milton.
"The secret of my success is my faith in God and willingness to go to battle, tuned to His wisdom. Integrity in all transactions. I have learned to trust in God's providence and to move forward with confidence. Many times I ignore the budget figures, and don't even know how much cash is on hand. If God inspires me to make a donation, I do so independent of any other situation. God is the provider. I do not withhold, and always receive more. Looking back on my life, I can see how God has sustained and guided me at every step. The greatest blessing in my life is to be a Seventh-day Adventist, a member of this wonderful people."
Dr. Milton has a loving wife, four children, 9 grandchildren. His philosophy is to be in constant conversation with God. To ask for stronger faith.
"Thank you for your great heart brother Milton", so Corrado Cozzi, Communications Director in the EUD region. "Your experience will inspire many, many people around the world. God bless you!"
To learn more about Golden Cross, visit www.goldencross.com.br/
