Monday, August 10, 2009

Living by the watch

Most people who know anything about Latin American culture know that being on time is not a really important thing here. In the US, we would be about five - ten minutes early for church so we could get our kids checked in to kid's church and get ourselves all settled in for the 11:00 beginning of church. We moved to Nicaragua and would get there a few minutes early and be the only people there. The pastor himself wouldn't show up for at least thirty minutes (usually about an hour late).

Imagine how difficult it is for students at our Bible school, who have to be on time for everything or they face "consequence time". They receive one hour of work detail for every minute of tardiness. Last year we had a guy who had about a month of work details, he could just never get it right. It's counter-cultural, but it's a good thing! (The important thing to note is that this school is MEXICAN, not a bunch of Americans trying to impose this on them.)

We're starting a new week at the Bible School, with 35 new students. Time and the watch are usually their biggest struggle in the new year, so pray for them!

2 comments:

Amrita said...

Hi Jan, its the same here. A very casual attitude towards time and punctuality.
Pray you are doing well

Its very hot and humid here, makes me sick

♥ ♥ ♥ Cold Porcelain by Erika Alvarado said...

I can totally understand the time issue. When I got married I had to move to the US and did not like the issue of having to be there at the exact time or everyone would be freaking out at me. It was hard, it is still hard for me to be on time. It is a cultural thing of enjoying what you are doing, taking your time, not rushing your kids or anything, knowing the rest of the people in your town is patient. Unlike here in the US.
That s just my 5 cents