American Pie?

I've heard people say that the Paraguayan culture is a lot different than the United States and it will take a lot of adjusting for me to get used to it. What they call "culture shock." I will admit that the culture is a little different, but if anything it seems a whole lot more friendly. I have been told multiple times by my host dad that I am family now and this is MY house. I am family. Everyone who I have been introduced to has been very accepting and overall friendly. My problem with all this is that i can only understand a very small percentage of what people say to me. I have yet to have what i would call an intelligent conversation with anyone in Castellano (the dialect of Spanish spoken here).

What all this means for me is that i don't think i have experienced culture shock so much as "language shock." I find myself hiding out in my room or anywhere away from people because it is so tiring constantly only hearing a language that i don't speak. (also somewhat frustrating not being able to understand what is going on in a conversation or on tv.)

I think the majority of the United States could dare to learn something from the people here. Instead of instantly rejecting those who don't speak English we should accept them and try to understand them whether or not they speak the language we hold in such high regard.

"And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"

- Matthew 18:2

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

- Matthew 6:21