Families celebrate diversity of cultures
On Sunday, Sept. 15, people from five nations gathered at Church! of the Nazarene, located on Mantorville Avenue just south of the railroad tracks in Kasson.
They gathered to celebrate the diversity of cultures found in Dodge County. Families were present from the USA, Puerto Rico, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela. Each family dressed in clothing that represented their nation and brought cultural dishes to share with each other. The gathering began by playing the national anthem from each nation, followed by a brief presentation of what makes that nation uniquely valuable.
The USA was given the honor, as the host country, of going first. Retired navy commander Deborah Teske shared how she loves the freedom of worship that is preserved in our nation, while Pastor Johann Marsland talked of our nation’s heritage in the Christian faith. Marsland stated, “The freedom we enjoy today was birth in, sustained by, and will only be preserved through the Lord Jesus.” There was rousing applause for the work of Christ among those gathered with tears welling in the eyes of some as pastor spoke of his hope that this generation would not be the “twilights last gleaming” of the freedom Christ has given our nation and its people.
Puerto Rico presented next. And two ladies shared how they enjoy dual citizenship due to their country’s status as a U.S. protectorate. They celebrated the diversity of their nation, which is comprised of Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans living in harmony with each other, recognizing no racial differences.
Mexico had the largest representation of the six nations at the gathering. Their national anthem had many verses. When asked about this they indicated that there have been many added over the years. The people who shared about their Mexican heritage each spoke of a unique culture and described very different ways of living and customary foods. Thus listening to the presentation on Mexico was like hearing about several different countries in one. The diversity they displayed within their nation was a surprise to several of the Americans who had no idea that Mexico was home to such a wide range of culture and cuisine.
The families from Honduras sang their national anthem with gusto and devotion. Their national identity was clearly on display as they spoke of how they felt Honduras was a nation chose by God for a special purpose. Their national anthem even alluded to a divine destiny for the nation. Pastor David Perdomo, who leads a Spanish language worship service at Iglesia! Del Nazareno (Church! of the Nazarene) on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., shared how he has a dual heritage. His father and mother were serving as missionaries to Honduras from El Salvador when he was born and he has many fond memories of Honduras.
El Salvador was represented by three generations of the Perdomo family who came to Kasson in 2016 to start a Hispanic church. The girls came in colorful traditional dress while the younger two generations where dressed in the football (soccer) attire of their nation. David spoke of the beauty of his home country with its diverse terrain and friendly people.
The final presenter was from Venezuela. After a musically stirring national anthem, the couple shared about their national hero, Simone Bolivar, who helped to gain freedom for several nations in South America. Bolivar never took power for himself but much like George Washington, refused to be made ruler of those he helped to liberate. Instead he helped to set up democratic governments and then went on to free other nations. In total he liberated six countries from colonial rule.
After these presentations, there was a feast of grand proportions with each nation bring some of its best foods to the table. These were not Americanized imitations of authentic foods but the best home cooking each nation could bring. Pupusas from El Salvador, tostadas from Honduras, Enchiladas from Mexico, chicken and rice from Puerto Rico, avocado and chicken empanadas from Venezuela, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from the USA were just a few of the samplings to be had at this banquet honoring the cultural diversity represented right here in Dodge County.
While there was a language barrier that kept some verbal communication between nations somewhat muted, the language of good food, warm smiles, and Christian love made the event an enriching, fulfilling moment for our community. Many thanks to all those who attended, presented, and helped to organize the event and a special thanks to David and Carolina Perdomo who cast the vision for this celebration of unity within diversity.