Cultural Understanding and Humility

Over the course of most days, in my interactions with Nicaraguans, there are regularly moments when I feel emotionally blind. I have no sense of what the other person is feeling, what they might be expecting of me, whether they find me strange. This for me is the essence of cultural ignorance.

I’m regularly making mental commitments to try harder to understand what this culture is all about. I hate feeling emotionally blind way, partly, because I’m afraid I may be offending others. For example, if I’m at a party and have been talking to someone for a while, and the conversation subsides but I’m not actually leaving the party, is it necessary to close off the conversation somehow? (‘I should go see how my wife is doing’, or ‘I think I see some leftover chicken legs’ or the last ditch ‘Well…….see you later’) Maybe I simply walk away? But if I walk away, am I seen as rude? On the other hand, if I am always providing some lame explanation for why I’m going somewhere, will I be seen as strange or insecure?

This business of seeming strange or insecure is especially troubling. I like to know when people are looking down on me. In the case of my work, I may be reflecting badly on the organization. I may be losing legitimacy as the person ‘in charge’. I may be losing opportunities to foster relationships in the future, and so on and so on. There are plenty of excellent reasons why it would be irresponsible to resign myself to potential condescension. However, when it comes down to it, there is something in me which simply hates the idea that someone else may be looking down their nose at me. And I want to know exactly when they start thinking it, precisely so I can put them straight.

I’m always startled (and horrified) at the ease with which pride can accommodate itself in virtually any part of my life. One would think that the desire for understanding between cultures would be safe ground. It shouldn’t surprise me I suppose. Pride tends to find its home in the shadows of my highest and most righteous ambitions. Of course greater understanding between cultures is a good thing. Cultural misunderstanding is responsible for all kinds of unnecessary prejudices and miscommunications. (Although it can also a handy card to play if you simply don’t like the look of someone.) But it is precisely because cultural understanding is an important and legitimate concern that pride so inconspicuously slides itself in and starts driving. Perhaps this happens because I spend so much time standing back to admire the ambitions themselves.

As always, I have found my newest attempts at humility to be extremely freeing. Recognizing how much ego was really involved in trying to understand this culture, I’ve found that it is now a much more laid back process. I find myself being more genuine. Most people are thoroughly forgiving of my cultural blunders (as I had known all along, in the back of my mind, that they would be). I still worry about committing unknowing offenses, but sincerity and more humility tend to be sufficient safeguards in most of these situations. There is more joy in the new discoveries, and less pressure.

Verily, verily I say to you, vanity is a relentless taskmaster. Jesus’ yoke is lighter.

- Luke

Casa Zaragoza

From Videos

our day of giving thanks

as the pilgrim story is unique to the states, there was no national thanksgiving celebration in nicaragua yesterday.

we had a small pekrul celebration inspired by the pilgrims.

in the same way that the pilgrims gave thanks for the blessings that God had given them in the new country, we celebrated the blessings that we have received in nicaragua.

it ended up to be a classic story of burnt beans and undercooked plantains which prompted me to phone luke to ask him to bring take-out on his way home from work. we ended up feasting on take-out gallo pinto, chicken doused in a jalepeno sauce, maduros, and coleslaw. while drinking guayaba juice.

it was special and delicious.

we praise our Father for his graciousness!


come and visit.

Hurricane Ida

hurricane ida hit the eastern coast of nicaragua last thursday. the first we learned of it was from a dear concerned aunt that emailed to ask if we were alright.

we are living on the west coast of nicaragua and only experienced unusually overcast skies and a lot of rain. luke and i were discussing several days ago how we should really get into the habit of watching the local news.

we have not been affected, but many people living on the eastern coast have been affected.

in one coastal community an online news report said that 80% of homes were destroyed. the infrastructure of the region was also damaged, including bridges and schools.

lift up in prayer the lives that were affected by hurricane ida. pray that they find strength to support one another. pray that their fragile economy would bounce back quickly. pray that they would look to our Father for hope.

in His love we live.

Reflections on Normalcy

i have been reflecting on this normalcy lately (mentioned in previous post) which was inspired by a conversation with luke, an email from jenna, and a post from manny's blog. i am often envious that luke travels/hikes out in the communities, shares moments with the people there, and comes home dirty and exhausted. is 'hiking' around the city running errands, reading books with your son in the hammock, and washing these dirty clothes by hand as remarkable?

i was encouraged by this book that i am reading by henri nouwen, titled 'the road to peace'. i have only just started it, but enjoy each page and have to continually fight the temptation to write in it and to dogear the pages as it was borrowed from Longley library.

he writes about the necessary humility of Christians, or peacemakers, "it is humility that allows us to consider a quiet afternoon with a distressed friend [or 7-month old son] just as important as any spectauclar peace action...passing an afternoon with a friend in pain is a humble celebration of our common humanity".

as always, Christ is the perfect example. matthew 11:29.

may we listen to His guidance and grow in wisdom.

Leon Slideshow

Nicaraguan Arrival

friends and family.

we are here. the blog is here, upon request. *wink

we arrived the 14th of september, stayed at jane and andrew's (Nuevas Esperanzas UK coworkers) for several days, then moved home.

our home is lovely. i will soon include a video/photos to provide for anyone who needs to have that visual when they imagine us living here in nicaragua.

a little bit about our community. we live about 4ish blocks from the office (Jane and Andrew's home) and about the same distance from the hubbub of downtown. we have a family market around the corner and a family pulperia (almost like a convenience store) across the street. a kind woman who sells bananas and fresh fruit juice on the corner. a bookstore two streets down which offers spanish literature and a possible friend. the best selling taco-lady is around the other corner. caring neighbors. truly, this is home.

we have begun our work in earnest. it is wonderful to be down here, physically, supporting and being supported by the Nuevas Esperanzas family here. we've been planning so long.

as luke has said so many times before, it is near impossible to find an organization with which you share so many passions. passion for Christ, for the poor, for justice, for transparency, for professionalism, for compassion. the opportunity to work alongside this group is an honor and a gracious blessing.

luke is mainly focusing his time on managing the projects and the team. a typical week for luke will be about three days in the rural communities around leon and two days in the office. i will be communicating with donors, fundraising, etc. from home.

life here is quickly becoming delightfully normal. we are falling into routines and balancing our days. we are content.

Snapshots of our Summer Travels

more accurately, photos of august. *wink