There are over 200 countries all over this amazing place we call Earth. Many people, through their lifetime, no matter where they live, desire to visit a different country. This is often due to a lust for adventure, or perhaps a desire to experience a different culture other then their own. No matter the reason someone goes to a different country, the fact they are traveling outside of what they consider "comfortable" opens them up to the potential of falling in love.
Over this past summer I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Brasil. I know many of you have just looked at my spelling and told me I misspelled “Brazil,” but in Brasil, it's spelled with an “s,” not a “z.” As a small child, my family had become missionaries to an area of this incredible country. My return to Brasil was purely to minister to children at an English camp, where we taught lessons in English to help the students learn to speak our language.
While I was there, I fell in love. The people, the environment, and the atmosphere stirred up a love that is difficult to express in words. The best way to describe it was that it was life changing. Falling in love with a country is something so many people around the world do, whether it's with their own country or a different one. People are consistently taking the jump to engaging in the culture.
Personally, the thing that made me love Brasil was the people. The people we encountered on this trip were some of the kindest, most interesting people anyone could ever hope to meet. The people we ministered to reached out and loved on us like they had known us their whole lives. Specifically, I met one person who, day in and day out, reminded me of how amazing the people from Brasil could be. This person worked beside me many days, and spent a lot of time translating for me. There was never a complaint or a lack of desire to translate. This person continually showed me the dedication the people of the country had, and the love for a Christian brother that broke down all barriers.
While I write this, I look forward to this coming summer where I will be going on another trip to Brasil. One thing that I have learned is that when you fall in love with a country, it might just be exactly where God wants you to minister. I love the people, the culture, and the language, and I cannot wait to return and get to experience that love again.
For those of you who love your country the way I have described loving Brasil, that is amazing. You are a patriot, and there is nothing wrong with that, but for those of you who have fallen in love with another country, remember that love and dwell on it. God puts these things on our hearts for a reason, and maybe it was time you went back to the place you love. I have heard so many people say that home is where your heart is.
While I do love my country, I have fallen in love with a different one, and I cannot wait to engage with the people and the culture again. For all of you who love a country other than your own, I hope this stirs up the memories of that place. Loving a country is an amazing feeling, and you should take some time and seriously consider going to the place God has given you these feelings for. If you love a country, maybe it's time that you let the country love you back, and if you have yet to fall for one, just remember that there are over 200 countries to explore. There's bound to be one you love.
