Each
culture has its own characteristics that
give it distinctiveness and unity. To appreciate
this diversity we must become bi-cultural.
Identify with your hosts
Even if you use the right words in a foreign language,
you must share their feelings, empathize with them.
Actively
understand
To study the literature, history or art of your
host culture is passive understanding. It does
not guarantee effective interaction. Active
understanding involves your emotions, your empathy.
Truly appreciate their
culture on the following three levels: |
- Reasoning and Rational thinking. Acknowledge
that there are different perceptions of reality
and different ways of doing something.
- Feelings and Tastes. The fact is that many
things are a matter of preference and taste,
rather than right or wrong; e.g., the foods
you like.
- Judging and Decision
Making. Be careful not
to condemn what you cannot understand. Learn
to differentiate between:
|
| |
Good and worthwhile aspects to be encouraged.
Neutral aspects to be retained.
Bad or evil aspects and practices which must be changed. |
| Become
learners with a servant’s
heart |
You cannot teach or judge
before you have learned to understand and appreciate.
|
People will respond with
eagerness to help in your efforts to learn their
ways.
|
| The rewards of being bi-cultural? |
You will become fully effective
in ministry.
You will be enriched.
You will start to better understand your own worldview
through this unique chance to compare and contrast
it with others.
|
