MISSION DURCH MIGRATION

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The Swiss on the whole are analytical, Latins seem to think more holistically. The Swiss
way of communicating seems to cause difficulties for Latins because of the difference of
the guilt or shame orientated conscience in their respective cultures. The Swiss value
confrontation by facing issues directly. To Latins, this is the very opposite of what they
would consider proper in their culture. Confrontation is done through a mediator and
truth is made dependent on the possibility of losing face. In addition, distance in relation-
ships is a way of preserving privacy and dealing with the fear of rejection for the Swiss.
This fear seems greater than the desire for recognition, which is hard to understand for a
much more extroverted Latin. The last section causing cultural stress is the Swiss atti-
tude to time. They are time oriented. It is viewed as a valuable resource which can be
wasted. Usually, people are subject to availability of time. In Latin America, again the
contrary is true. Latins are event oriented, personal schedules are arranged around peo-
ple. Time is viewed as cyclical, there is always lots of it available. What the Swiss culture
values seems contrary in many aspects to what is important to Latins. Culture stress is an
obvious result.
1.5 Expected Support from Swiss Churches
It is not surprising that in the survey the expected help and support from Swiss Christians
and churches is mainly in moral, practical and spiritual areas. According to the survey
and contrary to general opinion in Switzerland, Latin’s interest in financial support has a
surprising low priority. There seems to exist a great need for Swiss churches to develop
a support structure for Latin immigrants to help them integrate with the culture of the
host country.