Portland

So what is Portland like and what exactly are we doing at this WorldView Center? Well, for starters our day begins around 6:00 with breakfast served at 7:00 and classes beginning at 8:00. The day can end with dinner at 5:30, but more often than not there is an evening activity that can run as late as 8:00. And of course there are the inevitable work assignments that come with this kind of training. One diversion is the on-going ping-pong battles we are having with Keith and Tyler – a father and son that are joining us in Mexico in August. Daniel, Maria and Christina are having class as well.

At the WorldView Center we are learning how to make observations and draw conclusions about the people, customs, structures and values of a culture. It’s intended to keep us from making the kinds of mistakes that will build barriers and cause the message of the gospel to be of no effect.

This last week we have been practicing on Portland. Here is watered down version of some conclusions I have drawn about our host city.

1. Portlanders value environment and conservation.
I believe the environment itself is the leading reason Portlanders are so environment conscious, with Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Reiner all within sight of the city.
2. Portlanders value independence.
Pioneers settled Oregon. They were men and women who blazed a trail (as reflected in their NBA team name) to find independence. Today that spirit is still reflected in the attitudes of the people.
3. Portlanders value diversity and individuality in lifestyle.
A common saying in Portland is “keep it weird”. They take it serious and do what they can to make it a reality. This can be seen in the way they dress and the lifestyles they embrace.
4. Portlanders also value diversity in spirituality.
Everywhere you turn you are confronted with alternative spirituality. You see it in the health food stores, in the coffee shops, in the public square, restaurants, in the stores and in the shops specially designed to sell and promote spirituality.
5. Portlanders value coffee.
Cafés are everywhere in all shapes and sizes and in deference to the culture you’ll have to excuse me now to enjoy my own cup.