We have started our second week of ministry in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay – a multicultural city that lies on the border of Paraguay and Brazil right next to Iguazu Falls.
When I say multicultural, I mean that this city is populated by people of different cultures, countries, religions, lifestyles, heritages, and languages. Most people here speak 2 to 3 of those languages which range from Spanish to Arabic to Portugese to the native language of Guaraní among others. The people here are from Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Korea, and Iran (just to name a few). Among the religions you can find Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, Buddists… I think you get where I’m going with this.
With all of this seemingly conflicting lifestyles the area must be riddled with cultural tension, right? Wrong.
This city is even beyond simple peaceful coexistence, this is a city of understanding and friendship. It’s also the first place in all of South American that I have found with no conflict between the indigenous people and the government.
For years they have told me my ideals of intercultural cooperation were far-fetched and naïve, that I didn’t understand that some cultures are just natural adversaries, that it could never happen, that I had no proof that it was possible.
Well, here’s your proof.
Here, Christians visit their friends at the mosque, Hindus occasionally come to Bible study, and Muslims and Buddists attend the local Baptist school. We share laughter instead of nervous glances as we all cram into the crowded elevators or wander through the market.
I understand that our world is facing real pain and danger in light of all that has happened over the last few years. But let’s not forsake our neighbors out of fear.
Stop buying into the lie that we can only love and trust those who think like us.
Stop punishing an entire culture for one group’s extremist actions.
Should I be associated with the KKK because I’m a white Christian? Of course not. So why should a hijab automatically connect someone to terrorism?
It shouldn’t.
We need to choose better. Choose respect. Choose understanding. Choose better instead of feeding into the lie that we can never be together in peace.
” Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Is God just talking about your like-minded friends or the person next door? Or is He talking about the neighbors in your global community?
As I prepare to come home to a new, unfamiliar America, I’m nervous to find all that has changed by what has happened since I left 11 months ago. And even before I left, my heart broke to seeing the deepening of long-standing divides rather than the healing of them. But this place gives me hope.
So please, let’s learn the lessons this city can provide and work towards trust and unity rather than fear and division.
Because after all… it’s in God we trust.
