Sometimes its just hard to blend in...

Sometimes this is what it feels like to be a gringo in latin america...a little out of place :)

I've officially lived in South America for 4 years now well in a few days ( I moved to Venezuela June 29, 2006) It's amazing how much I have learned and how I and my world view have changed.  I try to blend in, I try to watch the people around me taking note of how they do things, how they dress, how they walk, what they carry with them when they are out and about and I really work hard at trying to match their spanish accent.  However no matter what I will always stand out.  I am a proud american, I'm proud of where I come from, I Love that I was born in the the land of the free and the brave.  But some days I think life would be easier here if I just blended in.  I think part of it is culture shock, yes I still go through culture shock even after living abroad for 4 years in fact the worse culture shock is usually returning to the states.  But that is a blog entry for another day :)  But you know even in wanting to blend in here in latin america I'm so glad that God has made each and every one of us different, we might "blend in" when we are in our home country or with our family, but are we called to blend in??  I don't think so, Just as Christ was the light of the world, so we are called to be salt and light to the world. 
¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:13-16

Light does not blend, it stands out and salt doesn't blend either, it is used to bring out flavor.  So trying to blend in with the culture and the people might not be so bad, BUT I can't blend in when it comes to what I believe and who I live for.  So that is something I'm going to work harder at, being salt and light.  I guess I'll just have to sing a little song to remind me of that :)  

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 

Down in South America
I’m gonna let it shine
Down in South America
I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.