Coming back from my first short term mission- I was told to prepare for culture shock. Klemtu was a great time and I absolutely loved the people.
I have been asked what it was like.... I may be in error in stating this, however, I really felt that getting to Klemtu (a 13 hour ferry ride), was like traveling through the most remote and wild forests and waterways (now here's the catch) only to end up in the middle of a ghetto.
Then, in this coastal backwater, a large, privately owned vessel appeared. Look closely. Do you see a large boat and a small boat? The little boat is 31 feet long with twin diesel engines and can cruise at 58 knots. But look even closer. Do you see more floaties(under tarps)? Do you see the two outboards and two jet skis and two crane lifts to drop the "toys" in the water?
After 6 days of talking with the wonderful people of Klemtu, and then being interrupted by the conversations about this visiting yacht - disgust. Our talks needed to be about hope and making good choices, not about false gods and empty idols filled with rust and decay. I was embarrassed by the boat and the "American" wealth and glammour it represented. Could it be that I was already in culture shock?
2 comments:
Hi, Brad. Thanks for joining in, even if it was at the last minute for this challenge. Yes, this seems to be a problem everywhere - conspicuous wealth side by side with conspicuous poverty. I saw it in Loreto, Baja, too. You can't blame have-nots for wanting what others have, but people need concrete, reasonable ways to improve their situation, not dreams about some shallow concept of the good life. It sounds as though you were all too aware of this problem, and doing your best to counter it. Good! - Karen
miss ya Brad... where'd ya go?
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