Many of us who were part of the Lausanne events in October have traveled internationally. So Cape Town 2010 wasn’t a brand new experience for most. However, often time when we travel we are kept in a bit of a bubble aren’t we? We travel for conferences or to visit specific people and we have a comfortable context in which to experience a new place.
But there were no easy bubbles surrounding this event! However you experienced the Cape Town 2010 events, there were many opportunities to run into new cultures. Those “run-ins” can be powerful moments of insight or moments of great confusion and uncertainty. I’m sure you experienced both. Can you think of a few?
We tend to expect other cultures to view ideas, issues and conversations the way that we do. When we are thrown into a situation where others view ideas very differently, we can be very unsure of what to say or how to respond. Did that happen to you during the events?
What did you learn from the North Korean student’s testimony and her view of the world?
How did Calisto Odede’s exposition of Ephesians 4-6 make you rethink your assumptions?
What did you learn from people you interacted with over coffee, at a GlobaLink or via the Internet?
Many times we shrug off the cultural differences and fail to make them moments of learning. Understanding other cultures will enable you to effectively engage in the ongoing discussions about global evangelism and understand where various participants are coming from. If you simply ignore or try and forget the various cultural moments then you will not be in a position to step into the shoes of those you are working with in the future. Don’t waste this key opportunity to grow as a believer and a global citizen!
Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you debrief those cross-cultural moments:
- What cultures did you experience?
- How were they different than your own? How were they similar?
- Did you have a moment when you were uncomfortable with something happening? What cultures were involved in the interaction/event?
- What did you learn about a specific culture that you can use next time you speak to someone from that country?
- How did God begin to change you as you strived to understand and embrace people from other cultures? What is your next step in becoming more cross-cultural?