Brazil Camp - Listen by Isaac Nelson

Listen

 
My recent trip to Brazil was exhilarating, to say the least. You could tell the camp was a success by the lightened countenance of all the cheery-eyed children. The children and the staff all had an enjoyable and exciting time with all the sports, the various games played, the dance that was held, and with all the spiritual lesson learned. Many lessons were learned from the daily compass checks, the Christian living classes, the messages given on the Sabbath, the various conversations had during the time we were there and by mere observations.

One of the prominent spiritual lesson that I learned was by way of observation. By my observations of the brethren in Brazil. I noticed that they were impeccable listeners. It seemed as if they were attentive to everything that was being taught to them and were eager to hear more. It seemed that they were truly listening.  They were taking notes during the lesson, they were looking on with each other in their Bibles for those who had them, and even the ones that were sitting next to me were looking on with me in my Bible assisting me in turning to the passages even though they didn’t know English. They were quiet and respectful when new activities were being explained to them. They were excited, eager, and attentive to listen and learn. Not just the children but the adults as well. If Mr. and Mrs. de Campos or Mr. Martin told them to do something, they were on it. Even if we were correcting the adults or the children, they were listening. They listened and acted without murmuring or grumbling.

The Brazilian brethren were a great delight to meet, to share the camp experience with and to just spend time with. My hopes for them is that they keep that enthusiasm, that eagerness, that attentiveness to God’s word and continue this attitude and not let it wither and that they grow in grace and knowledge. I learned substantially from their eagerness and attentiveness toward listening, from their actions, and from their warm hospitality. I hope that many others are able to travel to Brazil and meet these wonderfully kind people who have truly touched my heart.