I am green....

a beautiful blend

As some of you know we will be heading back to Canada and arriving in Vernon on Friday. We have an opportunity to ship some of our things in a container that our friends in Calgary are shipping over to Roatan. We don't need much here but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ship over some tools, some gardening supplies, bible study books, and some household things that will be handy down here. We will also use this opportunity to see many of you and as well spend some time with the kids in Victoria.

As I head back to Canada I must admit it feels strange. When you live in another culture it changes you. Our friend Jeremy here in Roatan explained it really well. Let me try to express it to you.

As a Canadian, there are certain things that culturally set us apart. For the sake of keeping it simple we will mark our culture with the color blue. So I come to Roatan as a 'blue person' ... I am used to things being efficient, banks running effectively, going to the grocery store and getting whatever I need. I am accustomed to having certain 'things' around me (alot of things) I drive on roads that a well maintained and the city keeps them that way (for the most part) My culture emphasises accomplishments, goals, and success as a sign of doing well. When you ask someone how they are they are 'busy'. I am used to basing my significance on what i 'do'. Our culture likes to be on time and expect others to be on time. The stress level in our culture is high as we try to manage a mortgage, often 2 jobs, and a plethora of activities. We are used to being stressed and waiting for a holiday to help with that.

learning to communicate, learning to love

Roatan is a totally different culture. I will mark their culture as yellow. In Roatan there is a different emphasis. They are not typically driven by goals and success. It is very common for things to happen 'manana' (tomorrow). Few people wear watches here. Since the power is out they don't keep alot of food in their freezer. It is a more 'day to day' society. In the entire time I have been here I have never heard a Honduran ask me 'what do you do?'. That is not as important to them as 'who you are related to or who you know'. In fact people matter more then schedules. People matter more then anything. As a result, you need to be prepared to wait. You rarely hear people say, "well I have to go I have an appointment" They aren't in a hurry. I think I have seen only a couple of islanders actually run. Why run when you can walk? If they are crossing the street and you are driving up to them they just keep walking. An islander is happy sitting on the step talking to a friend. Often even in business you need to visit a few times before they will even consider doing a deal with you. Their lives aren't involved in alot of activities. There isn't alot of stress either. A sign of success is making enough money to get things to eat and keep their family clothed but often even that doesn't happen on a daily basis.

this is carlos. he drives around on his bike selling baked good that his wife has made. in reality he will do well if he makes about 20 dollars a day... if that.

different standards. still a home though.

So... as we have lived in this culture for 8 months I am starting to feel more and more like an islander. We go to an all island church. I have many island friends. I have adopted their ways quite readily. It was easy for me since even in Canada my personality type did not thrive on goals, plans, schedules and material gain. I think like an islander. I am actually starting to speak 'island'.

Over the months an interesting thing has happened.
I am no longer totally blue.
Yet I am not quite yellow either.

I am green. I have become blended. I have a mix of both cultures inside me.
It isn't easy being green.


So as I come back to Canada please be patient with me. I may be late. I may not have a plan. I may be just 'talkin' the day away...'
I know I look 'blue' to you but I am green.


But regardless of my color there is one thing that remains true. I love you.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.
Romans 13:8

ps ... just want you to know I won't be wearing curlers in public any time soon. :-)
it is very common to see women like this .. especially on friday as they prepare for sunday church.