I remember when I was a wee lad my mom made me go to RAs every Sunday evening at my church. I was a Royal Ambassadors. Growing up in the South, in the Bible Belt, and in my family I didn’t feel like an ambassador for Christ. I know I would have seen more opportunities if I had only opened my selfish eyes but I didn’t. I also understand that while on the Earth I am an Ambassador for my faith. But for the longest time that just sounded like a Sunday School, “Jesus-Answer” with no personal or practical application. I know not everyone is Christian but I think I’ve been engulfed with Christianity for so long that I’ve lost sight of maintaining the visitor’s mindset.
In Siheung, South Korea, it is obvious I not a pure blood. I am an alien to this Korean world. I also realize that I have a lot of responsibility. I understand that I represent all wagooks (foreigners). I honestly think I do a good job representing the outside world to Korea. (Much better than Lady Gaga or Michael Jackson). There is a likelihood that I am the only foreigner that some of my Korean neighbors meet. I feel obligated to be nice to people and represent myself well.
One of my favorite things to do is to ignore people and to be ignored. And in the States, in the great Nation of Texas, it is easy for me to blend in, to just be one in the crowd. Being white and not having straight, black hair really makes one stand out in Siheung. I am learning that I can’t just be left alone or unnoticed all the time. If I throw a gum wrapper on the ground an old agishe (old man) could rightly assume that ALL Americans throw their trash wherever they want. (Note: That would never happen because I loath littering and I don’t chew gum).
I think it is sad that I feel a greater responsibility to be a respectable representation of America or Texas than I do of my faith. (When America and Christianity both need positive PR). I am learning that I am always accountable. Here it is more obvious because I am more obvious. But more importantly than being an accountable American or even a Texan, I am a Christian. My faith should be more obvious than my nationality. And I should view myself as an Ambassador of my faith and Texas (and America).
In .love.
Jp
