(photos: Our daughter with a sparkler; Tom and our son wearing the national colors; Megan and our son celebrate independence)The islands have been inundated by “foreigners”. They are so easy to spot. Their clothes are all new and trendy. They don’t keep to the traditional customs and they walk around like they own the place, like they’re better than the way of life here.
The confusing thing is that these “foreigners” are actually islanders by blood and heritage. What makes them different is that they live in France now and are just here for summer holidays. They aren’t used to the primitive toilets, electricity and water cuts, and cultural restrictions of their island relatives. But while many of them may scorn the way of life here, they still come home. Maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder so that island life seems rosier on French soil. Maybe it is being surrounded by foreigners themselves in a foreign land that makes come back. Maybe they have family or social obligations to fulfill. Whatever the reason, they still feel the pull of the their roots and come back.
With the “foreigners” in town, July 4th, and our quickly approaching departure, we have been reflecting a bit on our own patriotism. Pride in our nation is strengthened by the fact that islanders tend to think well of Americans. They want to learn “American” English and love that our president has African ancestry (you can buy T-shirts and other knick-knacks with his likeness here). But while we don’t shy away from being American we are also pretty disconnected. We haven’t been home in over two years. We don’t know what is playing on the radio or TV these days. We see the headlines from home and don’t know the back-stories for most of them. (Who is Justin Beiber and why should I care?) Whole cycles of American pop culture have passed us by while we have been on the islands. So are we very American anymore? When we go home will we carry that same feel of “foreignness” that these French islanders exude?
For a couple of our advanced English classes this week we did a lesson on the 4th of July- going over the national anthem and talking about the significance of the day. We explained the battle that Francis Scott Key wrote about. We talked about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We talked about the importance of freedom (something not totally available here). We talked about the great melting pot and answered questions about the origin of “home of the free and land of the brave”.
That night we were invited by a fellow American to enjoy some ice cream and sparklers. We enjoyed our sundaes while the School House Rocks segments about US history played before us, then we went out into the night wearing our red, white and blue and played with sparklers and waving the little flags she had provided. Generally we are very aware of our country’s shortcomings, but that day was a good day for our national pride.
PRAYERS ANSWERED
We were able to rest (the independence day holidays helped). We sent our edited vision paper back to regional leadership for more editing and approval. Our latest house-guest looked to be stranded on our island for weeks after missing a flight connection, but she just got on a previously full flight for tomorrow! We have been able to make some headway toward preparing for packing our house so it feels less overwhelming.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
We are starting the feel momentum build toward leaving, pray that we would stay focused for the tasks and relationships we are still working on here. Pray that we would finish well. Our son isn’t feeling well. It could just be teething but please pray that he would start feeling better soon.
