It's a postcard where the front highlights the beauty of Nicaragua and *ahem* yours truly :) and the back gives a Nica recipe and my contact info.
Now here's my dilemma...as you all can see from my picture, I am pretty white with strawberry blonde hair and very obviously NOT Nicaraguan. However, my congregation REALLY wants me to dress up in a traditional Nica outfit the Sunday of the convention. What's the consensus on this? Will I look ridiculous and will all the attendees just think "crazy gringa!"? Or will I be a proud representative of my adoptive country? If it helps you make a decision, this is what traditional Nicaraguan dress looks like...just add sandals:
Ay muy bonita mi hermana. Estoy seguro de que les encantará el regalo. El uso de la Gringa tradicional Creo que sería una buena idea. Sí, usted es blanco, pero usted adopta la cultura en misiones en el extranjero. Salgan de su cáscara! Si alguien de Nica llegaría a una asignación aquí, ¿no le amorosamente ayudarles en nuestra cultura?
ReplyDeleteUsted es un estímulo tal. Tenemos mucho en común, incluyendo la cocina! Es mi meta para aprender español y servir en un país de habla española. Saludos desde Atlanta!
(Gracias traductor Google!)
Dee, que buena meta tuya! Tienes razon que ayudariamos a cualquier hermano adaptarse a la cultura estaounidense. Una vez visite a Atlanta y me gusto mucho. Pudiste asistir la asamblea internacional alla?
DeleteWow thanks for responding! I know you're busy and I appreciate that. Yes I attended the 2014 International in Atlanta the 4th of July weekend. Talk about faith strengthening and encouraging. Thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I also had the privilege of working in service with brothers from Australia and volunteering with fist aid for our Hispanic brothers and sisters and that truly increased my re-learning Spanish and expanding my ministry. :)
DeleteThat sounds amazing. Apart from the actual convention, I'm really looking forward to the congregation activities in Mexico.
DeleteShawn, of course you should do it. You will not look ridiculous! And I LOVE the postcard idea....well played. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, Andrea. You DID look amazing with your blonde hair and saris...
DeleteYou could make it work Lil Shawn! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support, Bren Bren...even though I know you'd be one of them laughing at me :)
DeleteWear It!
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in Nepali, I would wear a sari to the English Assemblies. It's a fun way to get people's attention and tell them about your group/congregation- especially if you need help!
You know, very true. Good idea!
DeleteAbsolutely! Do it! Us two white folks did it in Indianapolis and now we have a suitcase full of gifts to bring back and share with the congregation!!!! It's not about looking like you're from the country, it's about taking a piece of where you're serving with you! Can't wait to see pictures in your outfit!
ReplyDelete"It's about taking a piece of where you're serving with you" I like that. It's exactly how I feel. I would be proud to wear the outfit, I just don't want to look ridiculous. I saw your shots, by the way, you looked adorable!!!
DeleteI think you should go for it! I'll be there, too. But coming from Spokane, Washington I have no cultural or "native" outfits to wear. HaHa. Great idea on your gifts. -- Beth
ReplyDeleteMaybe we'll see each other there, Beth. Just look for a tall white girl in Nica garb :)
DeleteAt the Atlanta, GA Intl Convention we saw and met many brothers and sisters wearing the costumes of the counties where they were serving. We loved it and were awed by them. Do wear the garb. You'll add to theexperience of everyone there.
ReplyDeleteWe love your blog.
Bill and Joy Weekley, Florence, Al
Thanks, Bill and Joy! You guys have me convinced!
DeleteAbsolutely DO it Shawn!! That is all part of the experience of the international convention! You ARE serving in a foreign field going as a delegate from Nica. The postcard and your pic in it looks great! I used our 1st congregacion picture from Nica. (We still meet in a house) on my postcard when we went to the International in Texas. We did dress up Sunday and it was a hit! No worries! Go for it!
ReplyDeleteSend me a pix! I want to see which dress style you chose!
DeleteDo it! I honestly thought it was corny when gringos would dress up. But I talked to a sister over the weekend at our convention from Mexico and she said that they feel proud when others adopt their culture and it shows that we are truly a united family.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - You could always dress as Betsy Ross or Martha Washington. (The problems with living in a country that is only 250 years old)
ReplyDeleteI was talking to a friend about the age old question: what IS American culture? We decided I should dress up as a credit card :)
DeleteWear it
ReplyDeleteI've been to many, many International's over the years. Almost all of our friends that are serving abroad from their native country, dress in the manner of the country they are serving. Years ago, we have friends that I grew up with in the area, that went to serve in Benin. They dressed in the 1998 convention in Benin dress ( _though now I think they are in Macedonia_ ) We have friends serving in Guatamala, from Gilead. They dressed in Guatamalan dress. We have friends from Thailand and Micronesia that came to Detroit. They were dressed in Thai and Micronesian dress, though they were from the States.
Definitely do it ...
The friends from Nicaragua will probably also see it as you adopting their manner, and being proud of it to the friends in Mexico, which would probably draw you even closer in spiritual bonds to your congregation.
D
I think you're right because I mentioned it to some of the sisters here and they're like, "yes, let's go shopping; we'll show you what to buy and how to wear it and how to do your hair etc etc." It seems like a lot of excitement for just a dress, so I think it means a lot more to them.
DeleteTake it from a couple of missionaries who don't look like black Africans of Guinea, you should do it! We dressed in native dress of Guinea all three days of our family's regional convention and the brothers and sisters loved it. When else can you dress up? An international is the time to do it.
ReplyDeleteA Missionary's Life
www.ilynca.blogspot.com
Yes, Linka, but you're MISSIONARIES! I don't know why but in my head, that gives you license to do stuff like that.
DeleteYes! I think you should wear it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Once your a need greater like in Nicaragua especially after a couple of yours your never quite the same again. It's like your no longer 100% N American any more. Besides it might give you a chance to encourage other single sister to reach out like you did. I would really like to see you in a blue outfit! P.S. Like the card.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, very specific, I like it. I was thinking pink, yellow, or blue, but you've helped me with my decision.
DeletePlease do dress up! We got to go to the International Convention in Arlington, TX the last of June and seeing the flavors and colors of the worldwide brotherhood was just Oh so invigorating! There were also some who were not missionaries, but need greaters who dressed in the outfits of the countries they were serving. To me it just made me see how much joy they felt in their assignments - they were truly embracing that way of life and it was so encouraging to me and my family personally. I will be joining my husband in the regular pioneer service next week. It will be his and my daughter's 3rd. year and our goal eventually is after we are empty nesters to serve where the need is greater, wherever that may be and your experiences are very encouraging. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlissa, what beautiful goals! You're going to love pioneering :)
Deletei'm thinking you should too!
ReplyDelete