On Being Canadian
It seems like the days that I am meant to do home visitations to the families who have kids in the Compassion project are especially challenging. Yesterday was no exception. These visitations are every Friday morning and afternoon. I know I am always asking for more prayer but if you could especially remember me during those times I would appreciate it. It seems like everything conspires to discourage me and make me think that I am incapable of doing this task.
I arrived at the church yesterday morning in a fairly good state of mind considering how tired I was. However, that quickly changed. The pastor and some others on staff were teasing me. Whenever there is something I don´t adapt to well or dislike somewhat they say ´that´s because you´re Canadian.´ Many times this is quite hilarious but yesterday I didn´t find it overly entertaining. (You can pray that I´ll grow a harder shell or is that thicker skin? lol I can´t remember. :) The whole cultural identity thing is what it is. I am still struggling with the people versus task orientation, the crisis versus noncrisis orientation and the Brasilian perspective on time. On Thursday I was indirectly responsible for breaking the window in the reception area. I had ballet in 10 min. and my backpack was locked inside the secretary´s office along with the keys. Some friends decided to help me get the keys out by sticking a broom through the window. Eventually we were successful but not before the window broke. The pastor was in a meeting and told us to wait 5 more minutes but I didn´t hear him. Last I knew he wasn´t even sure where his own keys were and since the secretary had locked hers in the office I decided to take matters into my own hands. Of course it was an accident but its also a prime example of a different time orientation. The pastor´s meeting had already been going on for awhile and some other people from church had already been waiting to see the pastor for over half an hour. I find this all incredibly frustrating but the people here do not seem to grasp what is so upsetting.
I may start teaching English to several people on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. Prayers would be appreciated as I evaluate whether I have time for this and wether it is really a good idea. Figuring out what to do with my Sunday School class when I have limited resources and time is another challenge and prayer request. I mentioned in my last post that their was some tension with the director of the Compassion project (she also happens to be the pastor´s wife) and that continues to be the case. Please pray that that can be resolved soon as I find it difficult to work with and for someone who won´t speak with me. Some of my friends have told me to just focus on what I was sent here to do. Since I´m still not entirely sure what that is I find it hard to do what they suggest. I guess that is yet one more thing you can pray about.
On a more positive note the mom I counseled on Wed. has already found a job so that is a huge praise item. Last night Erika (the church secretary) and I went and hung out at the mall and that was a lot of fun. In July I may also get a chance to go to the beach so I´m excited about that. And while there are things I love about this city and this country at the moment I am quite glad that I´m Canadian and I look forward to returning to a slightly more structured life in the near future.
I arrived at the church yesterday morning in a fairly good state of mind considering how tired I was. However, that quickly changed. The pastor and some others on staff were teasing me. Whenever there is something I don´t adapt to well or dislike somewhat they say ´that´s because you´re Canadian.´ Many times this is quite hilarious but yesterday I didn´t find it overly entertaining. (You can pray that I´ll grow a harder shell or is that thicker skin? lol I can´t remember. :) The whole cultural identity thing is what it is. I am still struggling with the people versus task orientation, the crisis versus noncrisis orientation and the Brasilian perspective on time. On Thursday I was indirectly responsible for breaking the window in the reception area. I had ballet in 10 min. and my backpack was locked inside the secretary´s office along with the keys. Some friends decided to help me get the keys out by sticking a broom through the window. Eventually we were successful but not before the window broke. The pastor was in a meeting and told us to wait 5 more minutes but I didn´t hear him. Last I knew he wasn´t even sure where his own keys were and since the secretary had locked hers in the office I decided to take matters into my own hands. Of course it was an accident but its also a prime example of a different time orientation. The pastor´s meeting had already been going on for awhile and some other people from church had already been waiting to see the pastor for over half an hour. I find this all incredibly frustrating but the people here do not seem to grasp what is so upsetting.
I may start teaching English to several people on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. Prayers would be appreciated as I evaluate whether I have time for this and wether it is really a good idea. Figuring out what to do with my Sunday School class when I have limited resources and time is another challenge and prayer request. I mentioned in my last post that their was some tension with the director of the Compassion project (she also happens to be the pastor´s wife) and that continues to be the case. Please pray that that can be resolved soon as I find it difficult to work with and for someone who won´t speak with me. Some of my friends have told me to just focus on what I was sent here to do. Since I´m still not entirely sure what that is I find it hard to do what they suggest. I guess that is yet one more thing you can pray about.
On a more positive note the mom I counseled on Wed. has already found a job so that is a huge praise item. Last night Erika (the church secretary) and I went and hung out at the mall and that was a lot of fun. In July I may also get a chance to go to the beach so I´m excited about that. And while there are things I love about this city and this country at the moment I am quite glad that I´m Canadian and I look forward to returning to a slightly more structured life in the near future.
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