Cultural Differences

Differences between cultures will never cease to amaze me. I was informed before my first mission trip to Romania of the differences I would encounter. Still, I was not adaquately prepared for what I would face. Going to Africa will be even more drastic.

Several weeks ago our team was able to share a meal and fellowship with Pastor Glorious, a native pastor, that we will be working with while in Tanzania. He shared stories of the people, his family, missionaries and gave us all an insight into the culture we will be living in for two weeks. These are some of the things we are to keep in mind:

• Treat God's Word with the utmost of respect. (This is one area where many American Christians fail miserably. I am guilty as well, of setting my Bible on the floor, etc. Think, though... many of these people do not have the Word of God as their very own. They respect it with fear and awe. We should too, yet we take it for granted.)
• Do not motion with a single finger for someone to come to you. That is reserved only for dogs. Instead, bend all fingers back toward you when calling to someone.
• When an older person drops or needs something, the nearest next younger person is to pick up or get what the older needs. This is not just in reference to the elderly, as we think of in America, but anyone older than you.
• Under no circumstances should the women on our team wear pants. Neither should the men wear shorts or be tieless. If we have come all this way to share God's love with the people , they will expect us to act and dress like it.
• All people greet and call one another with respectful titles. Wives call their husband's by the first name of the oldest child. My mother would say: "Father of Jaclyn" when talking to or talking about my dad. My dad would address my mother in the same fashion: "Mother of Jaclyn". Never would a child call their mother "mommy", but I would address my mom as "Wife of Tom". (For the children on the team, this will be easy. We are used to calling people Mr. and Mrs. A benefit of strict homeschooling parents! Side note: I still do not know some adult's first names!)
• Expect delays... Major, hour long delays. People in Tanzania (and most of Africa) walk wherever they go. Therefore, many people are walking 6 plus miles to come to church. And we don't start church until everyone gets there. :-) Other people are able to take the bus. But, the bus does not leave until it is full. So, it could wait two or three hours until it leaves. And we don't start church until everyone gets there. This is where flexibility applies!!! It is a very laid back society. No schedules. No routine. Approximate starting times. No appointments. Remember, Americans have all the watches, Africans have all the time!
• Absolutley no nose rings or toe rings and only small rings and earrings allowed. Muslims, generally, are the only people with extensive jewelry (extensive meaning mre than a wedding ring!).
• Do not eat fresh fruit. No fresh water. And only extremely cooked meat. They sometimes inject fruit with water so that it is heavier. Weight equals money, you know.
• If they offer you bugs, including fried locusts, bugs mixed with spices, etc., politely refuse to the host. Banana soup is fine, though.
• Dancing in church is acceptable.
• Do not try to barter with the natives, they will suddenly have a prince inflation.
• Women may, very freely, nurse in public. (Which, most of us on the team have no problem with seeing a woman nurse. Two of our households currently have nursing mothers. Yet, we are not talking in home nursing on the sofa. We are talking show all nursing in public.
• Sew up any holes in your mosquito net before you go to sleep.
• Do not tell the driver he is going to fast. Nor correct him that he is driving on the wrong side of the road. We are advised to enjoy the scenery and pray we stay alive!

This list is not exhaustive. I will add more as I discover them! I am sure that I will have a list to share when we get home!!! There are many more travel precautions we have to consider as American-Christian travelers. Probably should not shout too loud in Muslim neighborhoods that we are Christians. Also, it is generally not advised to wave a U.S. currency $100 bill in the air and other common sense reminders.

Pray that we would all be sensetive to the culture. Pray for the people we will minister to even before we meet them! Pray for the pastors of Tanzania. Pray for our health. Please pray for our safety. Pray that we will be radically changed and never be the same again! Thank you for your prayers!

Until His nets are full,

Jaclyn