Cultural struggles

I’m not going to blame anyone.  And I won’t say definitely that all costeños are the same, but I’m starting to note a trend in our (not quite yet) ministry here in Santa Marta.  I was initially very excited because many people seemed open to spiritual things.  I still don’t doubt this, but I’ve come to realize that a desire doesn’t necessarily translate into action.  Or as we say in Spanish, Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho (From that which is spoken, to that which is done, there’s a long distance).

The problem is that of the five Bible studies I’ve set up, I have been able to do two of them.  The last three studies with three different people have fallen through, and although that’s not a bad average in baseball (.400), it’s not very good in ministry.  In each case I have called to see what happened, but they have either had an excuse or they haven’t answered.  I don’t know what to make of this.  In all three cases, I felt that the person was genuinely interested.  We agreed on a time that would work for both of us.  I cleared my schedule and waited for the appointment.  At the appointed time, nothing happened.  I called.  I waited.  I called again.  And the end result was the same — nadita (for you non-Spanish speakers that’s nada, or nothing, with the diminutive ending; like a cute nada).  Since our main Bible study material we’re using takes about two months with meetings every week to study together, I’m estimating that at this rate I will be able to lead a person through the study in roughly two years.

What is my new strategy?  I need to pray more and get some cultural counsel.  This trait of people here is evident in many different areas.  Alfredo had an unbelievably hard time getting a real estate company to come through on the house they moved into (they still haven’t been able to sign the contract and they’ve been in the house almost a week).  Our business cards took a week and a half longer than I was told they would take, etc.

My last two thoughts: I think I will hug the next guy who shows up for a study we agree on, and Christ will make a huge impact in people’s culture here if they come to him.