Driving in the Spirit

Another "huh?" moment in Paraguay is experienced while behind the wheel. Where do I begin? For an insightful look at Paraguayan driving refer to Brenda's Blog from Paraguay.

In the States if anyone drove the way the Paraguayans drive we would think they were an aggressive and angry person. At times it is not unusual for them to drive on the wrong side of the road (literally), honk you as soon as the light turns green even though you are advancing through the intersection, pass you only to cut right in front of you and my personal favorite is when they stop in the middle of the road having put their hazard lights on with the thought that its permissible because the hazard lights are on.

I've realized that Paraguayan drivers are not angry people. They are the same loving and accepting people I meet everyday outside of their vehicles. While driving I've had to fight against negative thoughts that would otherwise be directed towards the "bad" drivers.

Let me attempt to follow the same pattern as the previous post and interpret how the Paraguayan views their behavior.

Driving on the wrong side of the road many times is done because the roads were not built to contain the amount of traffic that is in Paraguay. When a red light turns green, the on-coming lane is frequently used as an extra option if there is nothing coming towards you. It is not utilized as a passing lane, rather as a full-fledged lane of traffic. Typically the driver will "know" that on-coming traffic is not coming there way. The Paraguayan view is that traffic will grid-lock if everyone remains in single file.

The Paraguayan is honking me as a courtesy, not as a sign of aggression. You must understand that the traffic lights are situated at the closest corner to you as you approach an intersection rather than being hung over the middle of the intersection. When a car stops at the corner, often times the driver cannot see the light as they've advanced just far enough towards the intersection so as not to have a good view. Therefore, when the light turns green the Paraguayan behind will sound their horn as a courtesy for the person in front to proceed. Rather than thinking the person behind me is aggressive, I now find myself giving a thumbs up or saying "thank you" even though I usually see the light turn from red to green.

I think the hardest driving habit for me to accept is when someone cuts me off. However, in my attempt to understand I've come to the conclusion that its the Paraguayans attempt to not offend someone that propels them in front of my car within inches of a collision. Paraguayans typically run late, many times due to their people-oriented-ness. They will not leave the company with one person for the sole reason of keeping an appointment with someone else. I choose to believe the Paraguayan who is passing me, only to cut me off, is probably running late and does not want to offend their next appointment. It's with concern for the other person that they cut me off... if they knew me personally I doubt that they would ever cut me off (I'm still trying convince myself of this one).

The hazard light phenomena is just the Paraguayans' belief that everyone else will be as patient as they would under such circumstances. Obviously they weren't considering the gringo fresh off the boat. Typically when they stop in the midst of traffic and use this light they are dropping someone or something off, waiting to pick someone or something up. I believe that they don't see it as the "hazard-light" but more so as the "just-a-minute-please-light".

I mentioned at the end of the last entry that as missionaries we "recognize the differences in the culture, (try to) hold off on judgment and attempt to become part of the host culture while remaining faithful and vocal about the message we have committed ourselves to bringing." The driving example is more consequential than the shopping cart management example. That is to say, I could rationalize my being upset behind the wheel more so than I could behind the cart. This is why I ask our prayer supporters to pray for us that we may always exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. I don't want to rationalize the rightness of my negative attitudes. But I want to always present a godly example to those we've been called to minister. Would you please pray that for us? That we would represent Christ by demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" Galatians 5:22-25.

Thank you for your prayers and support. We are TEAM.