When Ánderson Godoy left Colombia to attend seminary in Ecuador, he wasn't prepared for the culture shock in this neighboring Spanish-speaking country.
While living in Ecuador, Godoy (far right) learned about some of the country's customs, such as sharing homemade drinks made from grains and fruits.
In Venezuela, Godoy was exposed to Caribbean-style music and culture.
Zuri, the larva of a beetle that lives in the jungle, is enjoyed by the Awajun indigenous people who shared it with Godoy.
While staying in Argentina, Godoy learned about the people's passion for their delicious beef and for football (soccer).
Traveling South America, Godoy experienced the reality that despite a (mostly) common language, the continent is a rich and vibrant diversity of culture. And so is the church.
I remember the first time that I left my country. I was 18 and I was going to study at the South American Nazarene Theological Seminary in Quito, Ecuador. In my mind I knew that this trip would be a great change; however, I never thought that I would find strong cultural differences in a country that is right next to my home country of Colombia.
When the bus got far from Bogota I started seeing people wearing different clothes than those from my city. The changes were more obvious when I crossed the border and entered Ecuador. Sellers offered me “cola” (that to me meant “butt”), while showing me a Coca-Cola bottle. When I finally arrived to the seminary my roommate greeted me with some words that I have never heard before. I remember after that special greeting we spent several hours discussing the meaning of words that were usual for one but unknown for the other.
A year later I went to Venezuela. This time I was ready to learn new words. But I was not ready to live on an “Arepa” (kind of a thick tortilla) and “Caraota” (black beans) diet. Neither was I ready to find Caribbean rhythms as the “Gaita” in Maracaibo. Furthermore, most of the people talked so loud that sometimes it seemed like they were angry. After a few weeks in there I realized that the hot weather helps them to be much more spontaneous than citizens of Andean cities like Bogota or Quito.
When I was 22 I went from Ecuador to Peru. This time I found it easier to endure differences. Given that Peru is world famous for its gastronomy, I had the chance to eat all kinds of food, from Peruvian “Cebiche” (fish cooked just with lemon) to Jungle Zuri (the larva of a beetle that Awajun indigenous people shared with me).
Lastly, this year I came to Argentina as part of my ministry assignment. In the trip from Bogotá to Buenos Aires I had a layover in Brazil. I did not know how to talk in Portuguese. In fact, I used to think that Portuguese was a “badly-spoken Spanish.” But when the authorities of the airport asked me lots of questions that I could not understand, I realized that a language is too complex and rich to be ridiculed. After several hours stuck in Sao Paulo airport –and after discovering abilities like that of a mime--I arrived in Argentina.
What a surprise! There were blonde, white people all over the place. I almost thought I was in Europe! Later, when I talked to Argentines I noticed that the topics where rather the same: meat and soccer. Delicious Argentine beef and passion for football are two things they are pretty proud about. One afternoon I was eating one of those good steaks when a young man came to me and kissed me… Yes! He kissed me! That moment I learned from experience that Argentine men kiss each other to greet.
Well, I could keep on telling stories, some of them funny, other ones embarrassing. I could tell you about my trip to Uruguay and how everyone drinks a hot beverage called “mate.” However, what I really want you to know is that my vision of the world has changed. Just five years ago I used to think that my city, my culture and my expressions of faith were the only ones. Now I can surely say that Christianity through Latin America is as rich and diverse as each one of its inhabitants. Here in my continent I have been able to worship with hymns, harps and electric guitars. In spite of our differences there is something that keeps us united. We are one in Christ. For the Church is a big family and our nationality cannot change the fact that we need to know God more and more.
In each one of the places where I have been, I have seen people drowning in a life without God. Once and again I see children growing up in a violent environment, women trying to get by and frustrated men who cannot get a job. So we are also one in our pain. We are one in our essential need: Latin American people need God!
Diversity of contexts, weathers and dialects cannot hide our urgency: We need people committed to the propagation of the Gospel in word and action. I wonder if you would be the one taking a Bible and riding the bus to spread the Word in my continent? The invitation is already made.