Johnhwilburn.com

Last week I was working with some children, and one of them forgot to wear her slippers (what we call flip flops). At first this was okay but soon the asphalt was too hot for her to walk on without them. So I kicked off my crocs, and let her wear them. Though they weren’t a perfect fit she enjoyed wearing them!

Of course, then I had a problem…..

What do I wear?????

As we were doing some activities I noticed a young man had taken off his slippers and they seemed the right size to fit me. So I tried them on and was surprised to see they fit perfectly!

I took them off, but he responded by telling me to put them back on.

One of the challenges in missions is finding a balance between my American cultural background, and the Vincentian culture. No matter how much I adapt to the Caribbean way of life I’ll always be American (and that’s okay). But I must also engage the Vincentian culture as much as possible, and by doing so become less American.

The answer to this Challege is to embrace both.

And become an American who adapts to (and loves) the Caribbean way of life.

In a way my experience with the slippers illustrates both cultures at once!

My incredibly white feet (people often make fun of them) illustrate my being from America. The lack of color comes from the fact that I almost always wear pants instead of shorts unless I’m home. I don’t personally have a problem with missionaries wearing shorts, but just don’t choose to myself.

Then of course wearing the boys slippers, and temporarily walking barefoot symbolizes the Vincentian culture.

The truth is those children don’t want me to completely become “Vincentian” because they know Mr. John comes from America. So if I always wear pants and they rarely see my white feet that’s okay!

But when I am willing to do things the Vincentian way (even if I may not be good at it) that over time earns their respect.

Ministry doesn’t demand that I completely deny my American heritage. It just asks that I be willing to walk in Vincentians slippers….even if my feet are incredibly white!