In 1983 Nancy and I left the U.S. for Zaire, Africa. We were quite naive to missions, but knew the call of God on our lives and had confidence that His Word would cross all cultural barriers and language lines. We soon found out that going to a foreign country was more involved than selling our possessions, taking a series of expensive shots, obtaining a passport, and purchasing airline tickets. There are a few things the Lord has shown us that I believe helped us in our ministry there and, even, here at home since returning from the field. These things were learned, for the most part, by mistakes we made as we adjusted to a different culture.
This kind of adjustment takes time. We were in a different culture with a different value system, a different language, different foods, and different practices. Upon our arrival, I found a book written by Alan Redpath that gave the perspective of the Lord Jesus as The Missionary of missionaries. He, coming into this world, went to the fullest extent to bond to our culture, even to being made in the likeness of man and was found in fashion as a man. Talk about Culture Shock! I knew that if I would have an effective ministry among the Zairians, I must make the effort to identify with them.
Here are five areas of challenge and what I believe to be the answer to each.
CULTURE
The first thing is to acknowledge that being from a different culture impairs our sensitivity and can, in fact, impair our effectiveness in ministry before we even realize what has happened. Solomon made his request to the Lord, saying, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people…” How one enters and exits among a foreign people can be instrumental in his acceptance by that culture.
This story, which took place in an African country and was related to me, is a case in point:
“The new missionary couple had just arrived and the Christians made a feast to welcome them. I overheard two of our house help talking about the new couple. ‘She doesn’t have a love for the people and never will!’, said one.
‘O, absolutely not, it’s plain to see,’ his friend replied.
One year into their second term, the new missionary couple had gone home, not to return to Africa again.” What kind of perception did my new African friends have and how did they view me?
The best counsel I received concerning this cultural adjustment was from Brother Liddon Sheridan, who served in Zaire a number of years ago. His advice was simple. “Don’t give your opinion for the first year.” I don’t know if I was successful at following that counsel, but after our experience on the field, I think I would expand that suggested quiet period to the first four-year term! This is one advantage to not knowing the language.
Many conflicts on the foreign mission field are simply because missionaries don’t understand the foreign culture in which they’ve come to serve. They have not taken the time to learn the culture before starting in the work. Basically, it doesn’t matter if we agree with the culture, but that we accept, or respect the culture. The foreign culture in which we’ve come to serve has been around longer than our own culture at home. In short, the key to being an effective worker in a foreign culture is to learn the culture! As we say, Learn where people are coming from.
COMMUNICATION
Language is the key. One may already know the language where he is going to labor and that can be a real help. However, care should be taken in communication as you may be crossing cultural lines unawares. Remember that communication is not just proper grammar and what to say, but also how to say something. It’s easy to make a serious blunder and communicate something offensive without intending to do so and without even realizing it.
Communicating is an art! It carries the culture of the people and the expression of one’s self. Unfortunately, many times we are misunderstood. Intonation, emphasis, body expression (especially facial expression), all play a part in communicating.
Communication is a two-way street. It’s like a telephone system. Transmission and reception are equally important, or else there is no communication. I like to remember this little quote: “I know you think you heard what you think I said, but I’m not sure I meant what I think you heard!”
One thing I’ve learned in communicating in a foreign language is to listen! You can learn so much about what to say, how to say it, and when to use it by just listening. Listen to what the people are saying and how they express themselves in different situations. Then language becomes a mimic. We’ve found this true in trying to reach out with the gospel to peoples who have never heard. Before giving the answer, we listen to hear the question. Then, and only then can you have real communication.
COURTESY
There are certain courtesies one should naturally show in a country in which he is a guest. We’ve found this instrumental in being accepted by nationals. Essentially this courtesy is sanctified common sense. Courtesy and politeness, which come to be second nature, are only learned by looking at others and imitating their actions. By being a good observer, one can conduct himself as a gentleman with a polite response and good manners.
Some of these areas are, for instance, in greetings. In many cultures, kisses and hugs are out; in others they’re required, even in multiple form! The friendly slap-on-the-back may have no place in cross-cultural relationships. There are some cultures in which even a hand-shake might be exerting oneself to too high a level.
Remember Paul’s words, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” This is the mirror-effect. Realize that you’re on the receiving end of doing unto others as you’d have them do unto you and reflect what you see! In all practicality, if someone extends their hand to shake yours–do the same and give a hearty handshake. If an elder reaches to lay his hand on your shoulder, (as in Zairian culture), lean forward receptively. You must simply keep your eyes open and look.
CONFORMING
Bonding is the buzz word these days on the foreign mission field. It’s a credible concept if we’re going to have an effective ministry. There are, however, some misconceptions that take cultural bonding to an extreme and make everyone uncomfortable. So, when we say conforming, we are not speaking of compromising. We should never compromise the message, but we must conform the messenger so that the message might have its best reception. We want to be stepping-stones, not stumbling-blocks. In reality, it’s how we live that shows our desire to conform to the culture and our acceptance of the people among whom we labor.
A major area we should practice bonding is in what we eat. Now, don’t deny it…eating is very much a part of our lifestyle. What we eat shows how we live to many peoples, and so to enjoy local cuisine is an effort to conform and will be a key in their acceptance of us. Luke wrote, in Acts 28, of their experience in Melita, saying, “The [people] showed us no little kindness.” I wonder what exotic foods they tasted? It should be decided before going to a foreign field that whatever I’m served, that will I eat. From goat hearts to fried grasshoppers, you’ll find the Lord will help you enjoy the food. The people will also appreciate the true fellowship around the table.
As true with foods, so it is with dress. Cultures vary and it’s wise to consult some of the national elders as to what they would like you to wear. It was Hudson Taylor who wore the Chinese-cut suit and changed his hair style, that won acceptance in the eyes of the people. Depending on the occasion, what’s expected of the missionary in a different culture is another way we can live in conformity and make our ministry more effective.
Then there’s time! Our Western world is time conscious, but there are not many places in our world that are so time oriented as we. An African preacher, going well overtime in his message, said, ‘Don’t worry about the time. It’s something that started long ago and hasn’t stopped since!’ We’ve made time an idol here in this country. We’re to redeem the time, not save it nor keep it, just redeem it. That means, Make the most of the opportunities as they avail themselves. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be pressured by time and miss the opportunities God has provided for us. The foreign culture, in which we work, knows more about us than we realize. They expect us to be on time for things, but we should never let time become more important than people. We can’t live by the clock in many countries of our world. (Just to add a little note: We, as missionary preachers, when speaking here at home should re-adjust our thinking to respect the time, especially in the length of our messages.)
So, we conform to a culture as we live in it. We must keep a good balance between evangelizing and Westernizing. It’s harder than you think. The only way to keep a true balance for the national and missionary alike is to get into the Word of God. Don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds and live out the will of God.
CARING
“Now I show you a more excellent way.” This way is love. We’ve been speaking about Culture, Communication, Courtesy, and Conforming. Though briefly stated, we see there’s much involved in serving on the foreign field. Yet, my approach can be summed up in just one word, love. I must remember that “God so loved the world!” and so I must love with His love.
I must have the love of God as my motivation if I’m going to learn a foreign culture. If I want to communicate, I must listen and then speak in the language of love that crosses all language lines. If I want to practice Christian courtesy, I must look and, in love, respond as becometh saints. Then to conform the way I live, guided by love, I’ll want to be all things to all men that I might save some. Ultimately, I must have a caring heart for the people God has called me to serve, as unto Him. Only His love can make that real.
A young sister, going out to the foreign field for the first time, was introduced to an informal gathering as: going to Africa because she has a love for the African people. When she addressed that group, she clarified the introduction by saying, “I’m going to Africa because I love the Lord!” Four years later, she returned for her furlough. She gave a report of her labors to the same gathering and was introduced by that same brother who remembered her words. This time, being careful, he said, “Now we’re glad to have our sister back with us who went to Africa because of her love for the Lord.” When she started her report she stated, “I labor in Africa because I love the Lord and because I have a love for the African people!”
Now, a new perspective on our world– The Mission-field.
Nancy and I’ve been home from Africa since the end of 1991. We’ve made two short trips into Zaire since then, and have been encouraged to see the work going on in a good way. We look forward to future involvement there, in the will of the Lord.
Since being home and sensing the Lord’s leading us into the work here, we want to apply these basic principles to working on the mission field of North America. The Lord said, “The field is the world,” and how we need to see home as the missionary challenge of our day. May God give us the vision of our mission-field and may we take His calling to heart, laboring diligently till He come.
Can’t we learn this changing culture of North America, so as to know where people are coming from, and listen in order to communicate more accurately? May we look, as alert Christians, so that we may courteously meet people at each point of contact, and live our lives as conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, gladly serving among those to whom He has called us. Above all, may the love of God be shed abroad in our hearts as we show godly care for those on our mission-field. And may we be faithful till our Missionary of missionaries appears, and we find gathered around His throne some from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation!