Finnish, Russian, and American Culture

This morning was enrichment meeting for the Joensuu branch relief society. Our topic was comparing different cultures. We had 5 Finnish sisters, one Russian sister, and me. The Russian sister cooked some Russian food and I made brownies, applesauce cake, and pasta salad. Couldn't really define what typical typical American food was. So I made some stuff I knew would be good tasting and different for everyone. I found a recipe for brownies on AllRecipes.com that are titled "Best Brownies Ever" (submitted by Angie) and they live up to their billing, so take a look if you're interested. I prepared a presentation around 12 or so categories where there could be cultural differences. The categories were patriotism, language, family, food, education, personal sensitivity, ettiquette, aesthetics, etc. I wasn't willing to make any statements about Finnish culture so I presented my ideas about American habits in the different categories, then the Russian sister talked about Russian culture, and then the Finns made the comparisons. To begin, one sister talked about the importance of cultural development in church teachings and the importance of understanding different cultures to increase our appreciation for sisters all over the world. She spoke in Finnish and another sister translated for the Russian woman. Then, although I had prepared to speak in Finnish we decided to speak in English because most were fairly competent at English and the Russian spoke no Finnish. So there was occasional translation required into Finnish. Then another sister came who speaks no English so I switched to Finnish and some sisters translated into English for the Russian sister who also asked me from time to time for translation from Russian into English when she didn't know an English word. Perhaps this sounds confusing, but it was really quite a sweet experience to see everyone helping each other and using whatever language skills they each had to communicate effectively in three different languages. As a final note, the Russian sister got up at 5 A.M. to prepare some amazing meat and mushroom pies. The filling was inside bread dough, the dough was perfect and light, and you couldn't see any seams at all. She also made a holiday style pie out of bread dough and fillings with twisty dough designs. Plus she gathered the mushrooms herself from the forest. I was able to dispel a couple of misconceptions about the U.S.A. because they learn about American culture from TV shows, movies, French news, German news, and the BBC. An excellent time was had by all.

Joen yo

Actually yo is misspelled in the title and everywhere else on the blog because I can't figure out how to use international alphabet symbols. The "o" should have two dots over it. This is one of the "impossible to pronounce" combinations in the Finnish language. And I'm certain half of the words contain it or the reverse "oy" which is even more impossible to pronounce. Also "joki" means river, and "joen" means "river's" or "of the river." Please don't ask me where the "k" in joki went! But actually this blog is not about spelling or language. Recently there was a two-day event in Joensuu called "River's Night"--thus the large banners hanging along the main shopping street which is actually a walking street. This was an occasion for many performances of different types, agriculture displays, forestry displays, displays by community service groups, and an expanded market. The whole town turned out it seemed. Can you imagine all the stores being closed with so many potential shoppers on the streets? Most stores open at 9 and close at 6. Stores close at 2 or 3 on Saturdays. And no exceptions were made for this occasion. Of course the ice cream kiosks, coffee shops, and bars were all open. It was a nice event. We missed an opportunity to set up a display about the church because we didn't know about the community service displays. But we saw many people we knew and enjoyed our time there.

Banner announcing Joen yo 

Along Kauppakatu 

Performers on Kauppakatu 

All stores on kauppakatu closed for Joen yo 

All stores closed for Joen yo 

A member of our branch reading his poetry. In his youth he was a champion sprinter. His 100 meter time was 10.19 

Our kampaaja (barber/hairstylist) singing in a folk chorus 

Tori area at night with everpresent bicycles 

Performance venue at the tori 

Woodsmen performing on a section of the tori set aside for promoting forestry 

Same guys 

Bought some Christmas presents on the tori from wood carvers 

Russian Refugees

Last April we found a handwritten note in the front door of the church in Joensuu. A sister and her son were trying to make contact with someone in the church. They entered Finland in January and applied for refugee status and then applied for residence. The reason they came was to escape religious persecution. The sister was given a choice between keeping her job or leaving the church. Her son's registration was removed so that he could not longer attend school. And an outbuilding on their property was burned down. So they decided to try and get out of Russia. Their application for residency was recently rejected and now they have appealed. But things don't look so good for them as Finland tries to maintain good relations with Russia. They are amazing. The son speaks English and Dutch quite well. Of course he speaks Russian and now is learning Finnish. He knows a lot about American culture and a lot about American and world politics. He is very considerate of his mother and is dedicated to the church. He is planning on going on a mission even when he doesn't know where he will be by the end of the year. They both are amazingly positive and have created a good life for themselves here even though they are sharing one room in a refugee camp. They have made friends inside and outside of the church because of their open and engaging personalities. Of course we hope the best for them.

Two church members from Russia 

Serrving Others

At our last zone conference our mission president told the missionaries not to do any tracting at all (unless they felt like they had a gift for it). He wants everyone to serve members as much as possible and non-members wherever possible and to be creative in finding ways to serve. Now, the flaw in this plan is that Finns don't want or need help. Asking for help is considered a sign of weakness. There's an interesting irony to this attitude in that the socialistic system provides health care, education, nursing home care, and daycare at no charge. The unemployment benefits are so excellent that they can work against a person seeking a job and mothers get subsidies for each child they have under the age of 18. But government assistance is viewed differently. Anyway, we're trying to get members to let us help them. David asked to help someone work on the new home they're building, but he said the insurance would be too expensive. He tried to help another man work on remodeling his home, but he said they ran out of money. He asked the branch president if he could help him dig up his potatoes. He said he didn't need any help but if David wanted to do it for the experience he would let him. So when we arrived he had already dug up 80-90% and left David a row and a half "for the experience." So I went out and took some pictures to document the service. Then his wife had me pretend to dry dishes so we could take a picture of me giving service, in a manner of speaking.

Back to the president's initiative--some missionaries are coaching football, some are painting houses, others are putting in flooring. They are walking around with shovels and rakes and knocking on doors asking if they can help. They are stacking wood. They are joining sports teams and attending other church's events and trying to help there. They are offering their services in the schools and libraries. So, we'll see how it all develops. President even told them not to ask for referrals from anyone.

Fruits of The Jarvinen's labor 

Brother Jarvinen loves his garden and new potatoes 

Sister Jarvinen thought that I chould get some credit for doing service (drying dishes)