Nah I’m good. I just meant that the temperature is hot in Villa Tunari, Bolivia. Ha! Got you to click though huh?
My teammate/bff commented yesterday, in regards to me being Colombian, that it’s mostly an interesting “factoid” about me. She said she would casually include it in a list of descriptors for me. . .
“For example, Megan is half-Colombian, perpetually calm, listens to weird music, and happily shares food. “ –Jenna Wiles/aka “Doc”
Yea, those are all accurate. It’s the “half-Colombian” part on which I want to elaborate. Being raised in part by my Colombian Mom has definitely been influential on my personality and preferences. She’s the original reason why I deeply love cilantro/empanadas/Arequipe. She’s probably a good chunk of the reason why my broken Spanish sounds decent (my accent can convince even the locals! Well, sometimes…). My mom is behind 28 years of me loving South America.
So now that I’ve been in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia each for about three weeks, what is this distaste I’m having for South America? Besides the fact that it’s just too hot, there’s something thwarting my (supposed) predilection.
In Villa Tunari, Bolivia, the people aren’t so friendly. They appear to not value a dedicated work ethic and seem apathetic.
In Lima, Peru, we bounced back and forth between the ghetto and tourist hot spots. We weren’t trying to do the touristy stuff, but the city just kind of funneled us into one of two major areas.
And Ecuador…Well, I have a bit of a soft spot for Baños; the mountains are stunning and the people are friendlier.
In all three, alcoholism is a widespread problem. They all seem bent on becoming (more) westernized. The food is often bland and requires a lot of ají to compensate.
When I was in Colombia with my brother a few years ago, we experienced a lot more of the stereotypical South American experience: salsa dancing, street parties, friendly strangers, flavorful food. We shared a lot of smiles and made long-lasting friendships. So now that that’s not happening, I guess I feel disappointed.
I also feel like a traitor. A Colombian who isn’t feeling passionate about South America? Blasphemy! Is it because we’re ministry-minded Christians? Am I isolated from a certain demographic because more of my time is spent with believers? No, we spend a lot of time connecting with those who don’t love the Lord.
Is it Colombia that’s special? Does my loyalty lie only in that northern paradise?
I’m growing a lot spiritually and emotionally; maybe some of my cultural experience is lost to that greater cause.
Maybe the Lord is providing the setting that I need right now. It’s not like I’m here on vacation. I’m here to love the unloved, to share the gospel with those who haven’t heard it yet. How distracted would I be if I were in Medellin? Yea, that would a tough month for ministry.
I refuse to call it quits. I refuse to end my love affair with South America. Maybe my relationship status is “It’s Complicated” right now. Maybe my fondness for the southern hemisphere will be restored as I start to associate these months with the growth that happened.
I trust that the World Race experience I’m having is exactly what I’m supposed to have. And even though I’m not loving it right now, I foresee being called back again.
And in other news, R Squad is migrating south to Chile in a few days. Los Picantes will be looking for new ministry contacts for month 11- UNSUNG HEROES! We’re stoked.
