Heart of Missi ns
by Karen Unternahrer
Costa Rica is the only country in
which both the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans can be seen from the same
vantage point. This country located
just north of Panama in Central
America is a little more than half the
size of Indiana. The Spanish Language
Institute is tucked into San José, the
capital (and largest city) of Costa Rica.
That is where we attend morning
classes and it is just down the street
where we call home. Exploring an entirely different culture, apart from all
things familiar, I am challenged daily
to scrutinize my perception of the
world around me.
We evaluate and interpret the
behavior of others from our own
frame of reference; from what we
think of as normal, natural, right, and
good. When I step out of my world, my
comfort zone, and into another’s there
could easily be misunderstanding. Besides not knowing the language, new
or different national signs, symbols,
and social skills in navigating an unfamiliar culture can be disorienting. It is
not uncommon that with this confusion comes anxiety and frustration.
This, in turn, can lead to misinterpreting messages given and/or received
when out of one’s comfort zone.
In these first six weeks since we
moved to Costa Rica this was never
more poignant than a recent Sunday
morning in church. The week ahead
would be full of festivities in honor of
their Independence Day culminating
in a four day holiday weekend. Each
school holds their own lantern parade
with parents, teachers, and children
together walking the streets on the entire perimeter of the school grounds,
their homemade lanterns shining light
into the
Indiana:
neighbor36,417 sq. mi.
hoods.
Costa
AlRica:
ready
19,653
sq. mi.
churches,
schools,
homes,
and places
of business were
draped
in the
colors of
Costa Rica’s flag: red standing for the
energy and vitality of their people,
white signifying the national characteristics of purity and peace, and blue
representing the cover of blue skies
above. Though disdain for the political
leaders of their democracy is clearly
evident Costa Ricans also share pride
in their country and a deep love for
their countrymen as a people.
Ticos (as Costa Ricans refer to
themselves) are somewhat puzzled by
the United States’ use of ‘America’ in
identifying the homeland. Being close
to the Panama Canal, they are very
aware of the vast expanse and diversity of peoples in the Central and South
Americas. Even more, Ticos are perplexed by the U.S.’ heavy investment
in the armed forces. As one Costa
Rican stated, they see no reason to
“police the world”; their strategy being
to remain in favor with the countries
with which they share a border. The
tiny country of Costa Rica was the first
in the world to constitutionally abolish
its army.
What sobering irony, then, on
Sunday September 11th to watch Ticos
commence the week of celebrating
their independence from what they
see as the tyranny of warfare. Meanwhile U.S. citizens were marking the
tenth anniversary of this day that
had an impact on us personally and
collectively. Together remembering the
tragedy of terrorists’ attacks on the
World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
As a nation, recognizing the enormous
tragedy of lives lost and the obscure
triumph of honor found in the stories
that came out of the rubble.
Two countries, two democracies,
two people groups, two perspectives.
Lehman, Hershberger & Co., P.C.
Certified Public Accountants & Consultants
• Tax Consulting & Preparation
• QuickBooks Support Services
• Accounting & Bookkeeping Services
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Complete Payroll Services
LaGrange, IN
The Right Man For the Job
Remodeling • Windows • Handyman Repairs
Flooring • Entry & Storm Doors
Ceramic Tile • Counter Tops • Drop Ceilings
Siding Installation • Trim Installation
ed
Licens
&
ed
nsur
I
Phone 260-463-3970 • Cell 260-336-9364
Brian Hershberger, CPA [email protected]
Call Any of Our Convenient Locations
768-4552 ·
446 N. Van Buren St. · Shipshewana, IN
574-533-8857 • Goshen, IN
The Hometown Tre