This week has been quite interesting. We brought along puppets and a Spanish VBS to use, but found that much of it wasn't exactly culturally relevant to the families that we are ministering to. For example, there was a reference to an ice cream shop . . . not many kids can go get ice cream when their parent(s) make under $10/day.
Wow, who would have thought that we could be so different! Another reference was to allowance or extra spending money. In the lower classes, this simply does not exist.
We attended a Spanish church on Sunday. Though the songs were in Spanish, the tune familiar. God's presence was there and the worship amazing. Preaching was in English, translated into Spanish.
It was interesting with the visiting pastor. He had been a missionary to the Philippines and was now in the San Diego area. I was so impressed with his sermon. He took the time to understand the challenges that face many people in the congregation. He was able to encourage and challenge them by going straight to the Word of God (which is always culturally relevant).
I guess it was a good reminder for me not to try to "Canadianize" those wet are speaking to, but instead get to know and understand not only the culture but also the needs and challenges faced by those around us.
PS It was really neat to see a reference to the harvest being ready, but the labourers few, with a picture of the many fruit fields you see in the area (instead of the wheat fields we would picture) . . .
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