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March 29, 2017

Brazil 2017

By Anna Stitt '18, chemistry

This week, I fell in love in Brazil. A few days ago, someone asked me how God was speaking to me this trip. I was taken aback. My initial thought was that to be spoken to by God requires some huge service to others or some great realization of His call for what career to pursue. I gave what I thought was a weak answer, meaning it didn't measure up to what I thought people should take away from trips like this. I said, "He's letting me fall in love with His creation." I didn't grasp the gravity of this statement until I was trekking through the Atlantic Rainforest with pouring rain purifying my face. Experiencing God's creation in another region has given me insight into His character. When Professor Waverly brought us to the Atlantic Rainforest, she pointed out trees with moss growing on them and emphasized that this was not a parasitic relationship. Many things, including other species of plants and frogs which lay eggs in these plants, thrive alongside trees as they all reach for the sun. Later on the adventure, she pointed out a tree that had died quite some time ago, but was still erect. She explained that often the trees are decomposed before they fall down so that when they fall, they immediately (in less than six months time) disintegrate. In this way, fertility is not found in the soil, but in each member of the environment. If soil were taken from the forest to make fertile land for farming, the attempt would be in vain. Each and every component is in existence for the vitality of the population. What an incredible analogy to humankind in Brazil; we are not made to live alone and compete for success, but to live in company with others to thrive as a generation. If God created animals and vegetation of His forests to behave in such a positive manner, can we assume it is His desire for His human creation made in His image to life in a similar manner? We apply His fundamental principles of loving one another and treating each other as we would ourselves if we cooperate rather than compete.

One of my favorite things I recall Professor Waverly saying as we had reached the depths of the forest was, "I am home." I realized I was too. I am home. I am 4,776miles from where I was born, but I am home. I am not with anyone I've known before, but I am home. I am with people whose tongue I do not understand and who's culture is not my own, but I am home. Home is where you feel a oneness with humanity and with nature because you came from the same soil and because the same God breathed life into you. I am home in a thunderstorm in the Atlantic Rainforest, in the midst of a dancing, singing, infectious crowd at Carnival, in a chapel praising the Lord in an unknown language, and where the largest waterfalls in the world cascade over me and purify my body and soul. I am at home where I love and am loved by God's creation, for that is where He is praised and where He resides. I am home in Him.

This trip was in conjunction with the Global Honors Program. To read more about this experience visit https://perch.roberts.edu/author/global_honors/

Left to Right: Julia Ruschik, Amy Kovach, Dr. Waverly, Anna Stitt, Host Parent, Kristin Little, Stephanie Piper

Front Row: Vanessa Martins, Martha Smith