Category Archives: Cross cultures with love

Your airport as front line ministry

Cross cultures with love, Treks, , ,

One of the “near frontiers” in your area is the international airport. Every day, people from foreign lands enter the U.S. on what is likely the greatest adventure of their lives.

Many come as students to get their university degree. They are excited and hopeful.

Others come as immigrants to begin a new life, or to join family members already here.

Still others are refugees who have been forced to flee the country they love. This may be their first time in an airplane ever.

One very practical ministry is to provide transportation from the airport to that first apartment. This can lead to finding used furniture or learning local bus routes.

One of our workers regularly makes airport pick ups, and has made many friends doing so. Recently he brought an international friend to the airport to pick up his wife and 7 month old daughter. What a happy reunion!

Write us if you would like to learn more about this practical ministry.  doorbell@nearfrontiers.org

Tweet This  One of the “near frontiers” in your area is the international airport.

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My day as a citizenship examiner (sort of)

Cross cultures with love, Treks

After a breakfast of eggs and toast, I asked my friend Wilson if I could tag along and observe his morning class for the Indians who had been coming to his friendship center. All of them first generation immigrants (meaning, to put it simply, that they came not as infants or teens, but full adults), they were preparing to take the test for U.S. citizenship. They were Sikhs, and were well educated back home in their own language and culture. But I was about to be reminded of something I already knew from personal experience: Former competency does not make easy work of new challenges.

I was caught off guard when Wilson announced to the early arrivers that I would be playing the role of officer giving the citizenship exam! Say what?! “It will be easy,” Wilson assured, “I’ll tell you what to say.” Right. So the class assembles and, having been instructed, I ask the candidate, one by one, to state his or her full name, raise right hand and promise to tell the truth. “What is truth?” I ask, as instructed. “Honesty,” they reply. I ask, ”Why do you want to become a U.S. citizen?” They reply that it is a good country, with freedoms, and the right to vote. Round and round the table I go, asking prescribed questions and giving them a chance to get used to my American accent.

citizenship class

I was struck with how difficult it was for them to grasp the questions. Even when they did, they worked so hard to recall an acceptable answer.

“What is one reason colonists came to America?”

“Why did the colonists fight the British?”

“What are two ways Americans can participate in their democracy?”

“When must all men register for the Selective Service?”

“Name a U.S. territory.”

They are responsible to know the answers to 100 questions like these, any ten of which can be asked them in the oral exam. Miss more than four and they fail. As I read the questions, I found myself thinking that many American citizens don’t know their system of government, the total number of representatives, the name of their representatives, or the Presidents in office during WW1 and WW2!

On top of that, these applicants must hear and understand the question in a language they are struggling to learn, and answer quickly with pronunciation the examiner can decipher.

All this points to the true help that Wilson and his wife Mary, plus a few volunteers from nearby churches, are providing these newcomers. My hat is off to them, for they have labored faithfully for 20 years. Lord, raise up more workers to minister in the hundreds of cities where our new neighbors would truly love a helping hand.

After the citizenship session, Wilson asked me to wear a different hat. But that story will need to wait for the next dispatch.

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Tweet This  My experience tutoring immigrants for their citizenship exam was an eye opener.

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Iraqi hospitality for American guests

Cross cultures with love, Treks

Here is a brief report from an American living in one of our great U.S. cities. I love to give these simple examples of how friendship-bridges can be built as we are willing to open our homes and enjoy food and conversation together. Enjoy!

“We met Galen, Rahib and their girls last week. I had been given their names by a friend who said they would love to have some friends, so we went over unannounced.  They graciously invited us in and we had a lovely time with them. I was able to remember a few words of Arabic and used these words with them. Rahib, the wife must have felt I knew more than I could speak, so she kindly shared how to make the tasty dessert she had served us. Her astute five year old picked up on my lack of understanding and explained to her mother that Mrs. Karren does not understand Arabic, but Rahib insisted that I did.dinner w iraqi friends“This week we invited them to our home and I cooked chicken, rice, and vegetables. Rahib brought over a special bread roll she had made as well as two types of desserts. Before we ate we chatted in the living room. Rahib saw the Arabic New Testament placed prominently on our side table. “Is this the Injil (New Testament)?” she asked. I assured her it was and we looked at it for a few minutes.  We shared the meal together as well as shared stories of our lives. It was a delightful evening.

Tweet This  It is time to recover American hospitality in making friends across cultures. #NearFrontiersTREK

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An internship in befriending newcomers

Cross cultures with love, Treks

I had the chance to travel to a city where I knew some Jesus followers were gathering to begin a nine month internship together. They were Americans from different ethnic backgrounds and work pursuits, but they shared a passion to make friends across cultures for Jesus’ sake.  They spent the bulk of this first day sharing their life stories using 5 “H”s: Heritage, Heroes, Hard times, High points, and Hand of God. It was really interesting to hear a couple of the men share their stories in one of the small groups. I noticed a huge difference in details, but a commonality in God’s working to draw these guys into serving Him and loving others.

As I sit in my room for the night reflecting on the day, I think of how good God is to stir the hearts of some of His kids to care about those who come to this country looking for a new life or even deeper answers to the inner yearning for meaning. Many of those who were undertaking this internship are not novices. Most have lived in faraway countries for months or years at a time. They have made friends with those of other major religions, and God has put a seed of love in their hearts. I find myself wondering whether God intends the number of such people to be small, or if many believers are subconsciously avoiding such a calling. I know that many of what I will call the mainstream culture are fearful or angry at immigrants, whether for economic reasons (“they come and take jobs and clog up our medical system”) or national security reasons (“they come here and don’t adapt to our ways, or learn our language; in fact, they would kill us if they got a chance”).  I can almost hear God replying, “Really? You’re kidding! I’ve made you a servant of My eternal Kingdom. Why are you so possessive of things that are transitory?”

After the internship session ended, we cleaned and vacuumed the room made available by the church, and gathered up all the kiddos to head for home. I had asked to see the location where English classes are held. I was not sure what to expect, so when I saw the nice facilities, I was impressed. The children’s play room (pictured) would win the heart of any mom, especially one who is new to America and perhaps never saw something like this back home. Most of the furniture has been donated by believers, and volunteers from several nearby churches help run the programs and watch the kids. Two nights a week the men come and learn better English skills. Then three mornings a week there are women’s classes. They also do classes in henna art and other practical things. Separating the men from the women in learning is culturally appropriate. What a great service!

2015-09-05 16.55.19

Did you know that many wives of immigrants are “linguistically isolated”? That means that they do not have proficiency in the English language to feel confident to get out and get involved in new things. What an opportunity for us who know American language and culture to show ourselves friendly. I know of women who teach cake baking, cake decorating, making cookies, sewing, etc. There are basic needs such as transportation to the store, doctor’s appointments, and taking a driving test too.

2015-09-05 16.53.31

One of the women mentors in this particular ministry has been invited into the delivery room of many of the immigrant mothers. She has become a student in helpfulness. Some doctors have even let her cut the umbilical cord in some of the deliveries. Now, that’s going a bit far for my tastes! But the point is, if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone, we may find ourselves stepping into someone else’s life to bring real comfort, friendship, and love. “By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”

Will American become a welcoming nation that can keep open arms to newcomers, as it did to our forefathers? Or will we become calloused, fearful, suspicious, and selfish? We are in a critical season of rampant global migration. Of all people, we who love Jesus, and know that He is the Savior of all mankind, should be leading the way with arms open wide.

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Tweet This  God stirs hearts to care about those who come to this country looking for a new life.

Tweet This  Will American stay a welcoming nation that can keep open arms to newcomers as it did to our forefathers?

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Honor & Shame 101

Cross cultures with love

Here is a simple 5 minute video introduction to the honor-shame culture. Most of the people who out of the reach of God’s message of love are of the honor-shame culture. The Bible was written mostly within the honor-shame culture. Some of your neighbors who come from countries in the Middle East and Asia, as well as Africa, are from an honor-shame culture.  So this is rather important. Take a look!

Tweet This  The Bible was written mostly within the honor-shame culture. Take Honor & Shame 101 in 5 minutes.

 

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Walls don’t solve

Cross cultures with love

Study this picture. How do you interpret what is going on here? (the caption below explains the obvious.) But what is the deeper significance, especially as Americans talk about a wall on our border with Mexico (and some even suggest Canada)?

Golfers and migrants in Melilla

Caption from this picture in BBC online: “Two tiny Spanish enclaves on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, exercise a magnetic attraction for people trying to reach Europe. Here the continent is just a razorwire fence away. Jose Palazon, who works for migrant rights group Pro.De.In Melilla, took this picture of one golfer in mid-swing, while another gazes at a group of men (and one policeman) perched on the fence. “It seemed like a good moment to take a photo that was a bit more symbolic,” he told the El Pais newspaper.” (Accessed on Sep. 4, 2015 at http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34137358)

Here is what I see:

  1. Desperation. Men scrambling over a fence such as this indicates hopelessness.
  2. Separation. Those men do not have their wives, children and aging parents with them.
  3. Apathy. The golfers have mentally shut off normal concern for desperate human beings. They are the lucky ones.
  4. Fear.  Refugees are afraid of being caught. Golfers are afraid of being hurt.

I fail to understand how walls are a solution. Tweet This   The idea to build a wall is evidence there is a bigger problem as its source.

Through the cross, Jesus took down the dividing wall (Eph. 2), because in His death and resurrection He tackled the bigger problem. He reconciled mankind to God, with the result that differing groups of people could be reconciled to each other.

Apart from Christ, reconciliation efforts are feeble at best. And temporary. But those efforts are better than walls that divide.

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5 Daily Disciplines for the Devotee of Jesus, Nepali version

Cross cultures with love, , , , , , ,
I unashamedly swiped this post from the Trinity International blog found here. I believe learning from others in this way reminds us that God is at work around the world, that the Spirit is giving wisdom, that God speaks every language, and that we all need a learners heart.

पञ्चमहयजन(Maha Yagna): Five Daily Disciplines for the Devotee of Jesus

By mikaku

What follows is the Nepali version of the “Five Daily Disciplines for Devotees of Jesus”(पाचवटा प्रतिदिन् अनुशासन). For the one who has given their life to the Lord Sri Jesus, these yagnas are acts that can be done daily as an expression of devotion (bhakti) and faith (biswas).  I will include below the Nepali and English translation.

पञ्चमहयजन
[Five Great Sacrifices / Disciplines]

१. इश्वर यजन [Discipline of God-worship] 

तपाईंको प्रेम जीवनभन्दा श्रेष्ट छ, यसकारण मेरा ओठले तपाईंको महिमा गर्नेछन. (भजन ६३:३) [Your love is better than life, so my lips with glorify you. (Bhajan 63:3)]

२. शास्त्र यजन [Discipline of Scripture Study]

तपाईंका वचन मेरा गोड़ाका निम्ति बत्ती, र मेरो बाटोको निम्ति उज्यालो हो. (भजन ११९:१०५) [Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path (Bhajan 119:105)]

३. पितृ यजन

[Discipline of Honoring Parents and Elders]

आफ्ना बाबु र आमालाई आदर गर, कि जुन देश तिमीहरुलाई परमप्रभु आफ्ना परमेश्वरले दिनुहुन्छ, त्यहाँ तिमीहरुको आयु लामो होस्. (प्रस्थान २०:१२) [Honor your father and mother, so that you will live long in the country that the Lord your God gives you. (Prasthaan 20:12)]

४. मानुष्य यजन [Discipline of Service to other People]

समस्त व्यवस्था एउटी वचनमा पूरा भएको छ, “तैंले आफ्नो छिमेकीलाई आफूलाई झैँ प्रेम गर्.” (गलाती ५:१४) [In one word the entire law is completed, “Love your neighbor just as yourself.” (Galaatee 5:14)]

५. सृष्टि यजन [Discipline of Creation Care & Stewardship]

आफ्नो निम्ति पृथ्वीमा धन-सम्पत्ति नथुपर, जहाँ कीरा र खियाले ती नष्ट पार्छन् र जहाँ चोरहरुले गर फोरेर ती चोर्छन्. तर आफ्नो निम्ति स्वर्गमा धन-सम्पत्ति थुपार, जहाँ कीराले वा खियाले नष्ट पार्दैन, र चोरले पनि चोर्दैन. किनकि जहाँ तिम्रो धन हुन्छ, त्यहीँ तिम्रो मन पनि हुन्छ. (मत्ती ६:१९-२१) [Don’t keep treasures for yourself on earth where insects and rust can destroy and where thieves can break into your house and steal.  But keep for yourselves treasure in heaven where insects and rust cannot destroy and where thieves do not steal.  For where you treasure is, there your heart will also be. (Mattee 6:19-21)]

Tweet This What would you say are 5 daily disciplines for the Jesus follower? Look what the Nepali version says.
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What to make of those “racial segregation” maps?

Cross cultures with love

I expect you have seen the maps which depict the placement of ethnic/cultural groups in major U.S. cities. What are we to make of these maps?

Here is the map of “New York” city, perhaps the most “segregated”, with caption from the article.

This map, created by Dustin Cable at University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, is the most comprehensive representation of racial distribution in America ever made. Here: New York City. Image: Dustin Cable White: blue dots; African American: green dots; Asian: red; Latino: orange; all others: brown

The most interesting one to me is DETROIT:

Here are some generalizations I think are true for the most part.

  1. People move to (or stay) where their friends are; where their surroundings are familiar; where they can afford a domicile.
  2. People move to better neighborhoods when they can afford to; they move to less desirable neighborhoods when necessary.
  3. City planning sometimes forcefully evicts people from the place they have been and wanted to stay, and fails to provide compensation or viable alternatives.
  4. Individual opportunity for improvement often/normally takes precedence over staying located within the community, even among those whose culture is communalistic.
  5. Prejudice is a factor in preserving economic disparity in many cases.
  6. Tweet This  Stereotypes persist, in part, because we do not personally know people of other ethnicities/cultures.
  7. People vote selfishly, not communally.
  8. Politicians legislate selfishly, not communally.
  9. We would be enriched by closer proximity and more frequent interaction with those whose ethnicity/culture differs from our own.
  10. Having integrated cities and neighborhoods is no guarantee of more interaction.
    Tweet This Unless people are intentional, interaction does not happen even in an integrated neighborhood.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I now conclude with this conviction:

We who, in spite of our wretched unworthiness, have been reconciled to God by our gracious Redeemer, who has broken down dividing walls and created one body through the cross, have both the indwelling power and the compelling obligation to live differently than the self-advancing pursuits of others. Our greater challenge is not to change the maps, but to change our hearts.

Tweet This  Our greater challenge is not to change the segregation maps, but to change our Christ-redeemed hearts.

WHAT OBSERVATIONS WOULD YOU ADD?

Links to the Wired article on these maps, and the interactive Racial Dot Map. (accessed 8/31/2015)

 

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How would Jesus treat a foreigner?

Cross cultures with love

These are some notes from one of our Bible study times at our recent team retreat. Please excuse parts that are rough; notes were taken as ideas were shared.

How would Jesus treat a foreigner? This is a text which offers a definitive answer. (Gospel of John chapter 4)

Who was this woman?

– half-breed Jew (a people whose origin dates back to the Assyrian captivity)
– her life experience includes a long list of broken relationships with men
– she’s the opposite of Nicodemus (ch 3)
– a 2nd class citizen (classic „underserved“ person)
– Samaritans were hated by the Jews

Jesus „had to pass through Samaria.“ (v.4) He chose intentionally to meet with her on foreign soil, i.e., a foreign context for Him, but a familiar neighborhood/context for the Samaritan(s). Baffling that He was preaching to Israel at this time, giving them a chance to receive Him, yet He meets with this single individual.
God is concerned with the individual; thus, Jesus purpose was to meet/interact/confront this lowly individual (a seeker?)
Noon-day meeting = personal sacrifice. It was hot!
The woman came to the well alone, which says something about her low social status.
Jesus begins with a request/need. Tweet This Jesus initiated contact with foreign woman by asking for her help.
He confronts the Samaritan woman’s belief system, which causes her to question.
There is shock value in his statement in verse 8: „Will you give me a drink?“ The woman responds, „You want to put your Jewish lips to my Samaritan cup? (You know as well as I that that just is not done!)“
Jesus is well aware that this woman is dying of thirst – spiritually.

Tweet This First Jesus asks her for water, and then he offers her living water. In so doing, he impresses upon her how parched her soul is and how great her spiritual thirst is.

LESSON: CULTURAL DIFFERENCES TAKE A BACK SEAT TO THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF OTHERS
Jesus is Jesus – He operates on a higher plane. His behavior (vv.9-14) personifies:
– True humility
– Genuine compassion/empathy
– Self-sacrificing love that is willing to get involved
„Fountain of water“ (v. 14) Jesus took her from her felt need to her deeper inner needs. He enters into her story; Tweet This  Jesus gives more than just a gospel presentation of truth(s). Jesus enters into life narrative of this ostracized woman.
Jesus proceeds beyond her physical needs with His probing questions. God prompts us to go beyond just meeting physical needs. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom as to what questions to ask, to probe matters of the heart.

The Samaritan woman lived in a world in which categories such as class, race and gender were pivotal. Jesus broke through these artificial walls of segregation. Where Jesus interacts with individuals in the gospels, it is the person, not his status, which becomes His focus.

[Jesus flips the switch and the dialogue moves to truth-telling and true worship issues.]
And yet, he did draw lines (vv.20-24); there were limits in His level of tolerance, (even for Jesus). He never says, „It does not matter what you believe.“ Instead, He clearly states, that it is not ok simply to be tolerant of others and their belief system.

Tweet This  Jesus clearly states in this passage, that it does make a difference to which God you pray.

Worship God? It is not a matter of where, but how! When the Samaritan woman wants to claim that she and her people are the ones who are doing it right, Jesus objects. He makes it clear that there is a right and a wrong way to worship.

LESSON: CULTURAL DIFFERENCES NEVER TRUMP THE TRUTH
The truth we proclaim is often not understood; we need the Holy Spirit to „translate“, move the hearts of others, lift the veil
John 6,44: God the Father must draw others to Himself; He creates thirst and our role is to point them to Jesus
There is a gradual approach evident here: presence, interest, felt need, concern, deeper needTweet This When she is ready to hear it, Jesus proclaims „I am He“ (the Messiah). She acknowledges that He is indeed the long-awaited Messiah.

This passage/narrative/experience gives Jesus street credibility to send His followers out to make disciples of all nations.
„The fields are white/ripe for harvest“ (v.35) Jesus tells His disciples to look out to the horizon where they see a crowd moving towards them en mass. It is very possible that what they see is a crowd of white robed Samaritans headed their way. He is telling His disciples, „That is your mission field and it is a field ripe for plucking.“ Tweet This  Jesus sends His disciples to a people group with whom they have little in common, and with whom they have been at odds for generations.
This is a foretaste of that which will be revealed to them in the years ahead, ushering in the „church age.“ “His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile them both to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.“ (Eph. 2,16).

LESSON: Tweet This   THE SPIRITUAL UNITY IN CHRIST SUPERSEDES CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Many believe (v.41), and it all started with a questionable witness who said, „Come meet a man who told me everything I ever did“ (v.39) The Samaritan villagers acknowledge that Jesus is their Savior (a spiritual, not a military Messiah), and the Savior of the whole world.

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Why some respond and some reject

Cross cultures with love

Jesus shared a spiritual principle that helps us understand various responses as we try to demonstrate God’s love to people today. The disciples asked Him why He spoke to the multitudes using parables, some of which, even for the disciples, were difficult to interpret. His answer was,

“Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him” (Matthew 13:11-12)

campoutThose who show curiosity and interest in God’s truth are not only given some understanding but are granted more truth to believe, and so on. In other words, responders receive increasing access to God’s truth and life.

But the opposite is true as well. Those who do not show interest in what they see or hear get what they ask for: less revelation and understanding. They progressively disqualify themselves from the right to hear more. The truth may surround them in the form of witnessing believers, gospel television, Bibles and Christian literature, or dreams and visions — but “seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand”(Mt. 13:13).

I am frequently saddened and even frustrated by the teaching of Jesus and the Bible that those who do not believe will go to hell. I honestly do not know how we as believers can cope with such a reality. Living with this horrible truth is yet another way we admit that God is God and we are not.

Still, this spiritual principle gives some understanding. Even in a remote village away from any missionary or satellite reception, a person can respond to initial insight about the one true God, and God will give more, leading even to an “abundance” of truth. That person can ask the God who made the stars to help him and show him how to live. Not only that, a glimmer of the light of truth can be seen by a seeker who lives in isolation in a strict religious family anywhere in the world.

God, You alone conduct your affairs. You are able to bring light to any dark place. Be merciful even as you are just. Open dull eyes, awaken deaf ears. Grant understanding to hearts, and cause many to turn so that you may heal.

Tweet This The principle of increasing and decreasing access helps explain differing responses to the gospel today.

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