'Different is the new normal'
Jon and Jen Quast, newly arrived in Paraguay, have moved into the next phase of their adventure in ministry.
“Having come to the end of the stage known as Field Orientation,” they wrote, “we have begun the process of National Culture and Language Acquisition (a phrase that reminds me of Captain Barbosa [of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies] when he says ‘There are a lot of long words in there, Miss. We're naught but humble pirates.’).
“Basically all that means is we are learning Spanish and the way Paraguayans are.”
Adapting to the differences, and to “the way the Paraguayans are,” is difficult.
“It's not that the Paraguayan people or the country are terrible and horrific,” the couple wrote. “Quite the contrary: The people are loving and the country is wonderful, but they are different. Not wrong, just different. And different is the new normal.”
“While some things are the same with life here in Paraguay, there is a vast number of things that are sharply different from what we consider normal, and our list of things is growing daily.
“At first we didn't notice much. But we are constantly becoming more aware of things that seem strange to us, and those things have a tendency to affect one's attitude. …
“No cultural difference is a big enough deal to lose sleep over ... until you realize you aren't going home. This new culture is your new culture. This foreign land is now your new home. The experience I am describing is commonly known as culture shock, and it is undoubtedly hitting us.”
Once they have completed culture and language acquisition, they’ll be ready to explore where specifically God would have them minister.
“It won't be next week, or even next month, but we do keep the next step in front of us to remind us that this stage is just another piece of the puzzle to see an unreached people group reached for Christ,” the couple wrote.