I know how to hang out American-style. It often involves doing something at the same time, and talking about our leisure activities. We might go out for lunch, go shopping, or go to a movie. I was especially good at hanging out with American teenagers (in my mind, at least), since I was well-informed about every WB drama, Justin Timberlake song, Face book app., etc.
Hanging out with AFE’s Honduran teenagers is different. My great opening line: “what did you do last weekend?” brings the response: “nada.” They really did do nada. They are poor; they don’t have the means to go out to eat, go shopping, or go
to a movie. They probably didn’t even leave their neighborhood. They may have spent a lot of time drawing water from the spring to wash their clothes by hand, sitting around and talking with their friends and family.
So I don’t know exactly what to talk about, but I keep trying. My problem is complicated by my less than stellar communication skills. Even after nearly two years here I can’t always understand the kids at AFE, who speak a broken, informal sort of Spanish. I have, however, polished the phrase: “Olvídelo.” (Which means “Forget it” when they don’t understand me.)
However, hanging out in Honduras doesn’t mean the conversation always has to be rolling. Sometimes people come over to our house to hang out and just sit on our couch, not saying anything. To me, this is incredibly awkward. My American upbringing drives my mind into quick intensity, trying to think of every possible conversation opener, just in case the conversation wanes again. Why can’t I just be content to sit there, to share company together, listening to children playing outside and the breeze rustling the trees? I feel comfortable doing nothing by myself, but why is it that I absolutely can’t do nothing with others?
I am still working on the art of hanging out. It is a humbling process, yet I know it will reap great rewards. Hondurans are teaching me that one of the greatest gift we can give others is something we Americans seem to value about all else: our time.
2 comments:
I love this blog. It is so genuine and really touches the soul.
As a fellow missionary serving here in Honduras I stumbled across your blog after meeting some folks in the airport yesterday who had just been spending the week with you and this post encouraged me so much. I too have a difficult time mastering the art of "doing nothing" but doing it together. Was refreshing to know that I wasn't the only one.
We would love to meet with you all at some point to talk about ways we could help with what you're doing. We feed at the city dump one day a week and have built a few houses in the community below and would love to become more of a blessing if possible.
My email address is jenwright28@gmail.com if you would get in touch and maybe we could come visit and get an overview of what AFE is all about.
We have a team coming in about 20 days that has some work fund available for new projects. We would be open to discussing needs and ways we could sow into what you're doing for these children.
Blessings.
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