Week #2 @ MDP

We have settled into a nice routine here in Timber Bay. It’s so exciting to have the opportunity to learn about and discuss so many relevant topics. We feel so honored that the Lord has called us to cross-cultural missions.

Monday and Tuesday we discussed the painful issues of abuse and suicide. Though statically these issues are greater among Native peoples than mainstream society, we were reminded that there are no boundaries to where these problems are found. The answer for complete healing is found only in Christ. We discussed practical ways to lead people to healing, and how communities can work together in finding solutions which make a difference. The first step is often being there to listen to individuals tell their story of pain, and responding in love. Though emotionally draining, this time in class brought us even closer as a group as we dealt with the heart.

The rest of the week our sessions focused on cross-cultural communication (one day the guys split wood for the camp). It was fascinating to learn about different communication styles, for example, direct and indirect.

We also learned the power of culture, illustrated best by the following story:

One evening a Native man stopped by to see a missionary, the two men sat in the kitchen in silence for a few minutes, drinking coffee. Then a conversation was started and they discussed things like the weather, fishing, livestock etc. After about 25 minutes the Native man asked the missionary if he could give his family a ride into town to the hospital. The man’s son had swallowed some poison.

At first glance many of us from the “western” mindset would not understand this story. The conclusion is this, certainly the Native man in the story loved his son greatly, but his culture, his very way of thinking, told him that the more important a request is the more you “beat around the bush” in asking. (For a biblical example of this see how Esther approached King Xerxes, Esther 5 and 6). Culture is powerful thing, we can try to understand it and allow it to work for the good of the message of Christ, or we can fight against it. The more we are willing to learn and observe, the more understanding we will have. This could be overwhelming if it wasn’t for the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us and giving us words to say. There is so much more we discussed, and I’d love to share it all, but hopefully this gives you a taste of what we are learning, and how important it is to learn.

Thank you for your continued interest and prayer on our behalf; we are blessed by how the Lord has brought us all together to bring Him Glory.