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National character
Coming from England to Texas, I'm very familiar with sayings such as the British "have a stiff upper lip" or "are very reserved in their nature". I have to admit that at an earlier time in my life I said I never wanted to go to America as I knew exactly how it was: "crime-ridden cities in New York and LA, and Lucille Balls in between!" We all have preconceived ideas of the national character of a country's inhabitants - often gained from the news, movies or individuals we have met. However as Christians, we must be especially careful to leave those ideas aside if we are to get to know and minister to people from other cultures! Sometimes it takes a real effort to do so, and we must also remember that people have to overcome preconceived ideas about us too!
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Patience
As Americans we tend to appear rather loud and arrogant as we push forward to fix problems, accomplish goals and put things in order (as WE think they should be!). When we lived in Veracruz, Mexico, we often had visits from Aztec Indians. They tended to arrive at our home in late morning (usually because they had walked for two hours to get there!) and so they came as we were trying to homeschool our two children, or were eating lunch! We always invited them in cheerfully, but soon found that they would sit for 30 minutes or so in silence! Our brief questions or comments were met with short answers, and it seemed that an eternity passed before they finally got down to the reason for their visit, often speaking up as they rose to leave! It was very frustrating for us as we watched the time tick away when we could have been doing so many other things! But these Indian people are very quiet (and of course have a lifestyle dictated by sunrise and sunset rather than a clock!), and if we wanted to develop ANY kind of relationship with them we had to slow down and be patient with them!
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Principle
After living and ministering in Mexico for over 6 years, we one day learned something very valuable that finally explained so much to us!! We had developed many good friends through our Christian café there but were always perturbed at how even Christian friends could accept an invitation and promise to come to our special event, but then didn't come, and in fact probably never had any intention of coming when they told us they would! It made it so difficult to plan amounts of food etc. But one day, one of them (a school teacher at a Christian school) made the following comment: "Well it's because you Americans are concerned with the PRINCIPLE, whereas here in Mexico we are concerned with the FRIENDSHIP! We accept an invitation even when we know we cannot come, because we care about you and don't want to disappoint you!" No amount of explanation helped her see that we would not be offended if she couldn't come (as we well understood how busy everyone was) but we just needed to plan for the event!
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Lack of preparation
Sadly we know of so many American missionaries who had great hopes and plans when they went to a foreign land, yet were not truly prepared spiritually for the commitment. This can lead to heartbreak, doubting God, and financial loss, as well as disastrous effects on the local people they work with so briefly. One story illustrates this particularly well. For several years we had known about a beautiful building just outside the town where we were in Mexico - some Americans had bought it for an orphanage and after years of paperwork and planning, had finally located an American couple who were eager to run it. They had been on staff at a large church that had experienced a revival of national recognition, and felt strongly "called" to the mission field in Mexico. They sold their house, quit their jobs, and moved with their three children and an advance of three months salary to start the orphanage. We offered to meet them and show them around town, help them get a post office box and bank account etc. We found them full of zeal - but sadly they couldn't speak a word of Spanish and had never stepped foot outside the US before!! When it was discovered they would not be able to get a phone line (or Internet) to the orphanage, they came to our house to send e-mails - which they spent several hours on while their children ran around our house and office, and requested snacks and drinks! Our hearts were saddened as we saw how totally unprepared they were to MINISTER to anyone in Mexico, least of all small children! About 10 days after their arrival, we went to check our e-mails early one morning and were amazed to find one from that family! They said: "We are sending this from Florida, as we realize we are NOT called to be missionaries in Mexico after all...." As we study the Bible to understand God's plan for our lives, we come across many scriptures that encourage us to be patient, withstand trials and testing, persevere and wait on the Lord as He develops our ministry. If our zeal and eagerness are truly from God, they will NOT wane, but grow stronger and be more confirmed as time passes.
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Jealousy
Through the years, we have always believed and respected that EACH and EVERY Christian is an important part of the Body of Christ, and therefore we can learn from everyone. Also, as we each do our best to carry out the purpose that God has for us individually, we will be able to accomplish great things as we work together. However, especially after we went on the mission field, it sadly became apparent that not everyone feels this way! Knowing very few other missionaries ourselves, if we happened to meet up with some visiting Americans in rural Mexico (usually involved in missions in some way!), we automatically embraced them as friends with a common cause! However we were often shocked to find that they were very UNFRIENDLY - even at times viewing us as "competition"! (Like there's not enough unsaved people, or people needing ministry, to go around!). We even know of several instances where a more established missionary "fired" a newer missionary because he didn't like the way things were being changed; and an established missionary threatened a local evangelist who was thinking of starting a church there, and told him to "go and find his own village"!! It is a sad reality, but just as in any church body there are little dramas from time to time as individuals wrestle the eternal battle between the flesh and the Spirit, the mission field and cross-cultural ministry also have their share of sad (even shameful) episodes. We do not want to dwell on them, only encourage others to persevere, forgive and seek the Lord, who truly has the answer for every situation!
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Trophies
We recognize that accountability is very important in the church and with missions, and believe that honest records should be kept of all financial dealings. However we've seen a trend in many churches and ministries of paying particular attention to numbers and accomplishments as "proof" of the effectiveness of a ministry. Great emphasis is placed on reports of: HOW MANY SALVATIONS were at an evangelistic meeting (surely only GOD knows which hearts have been changed!); HOW MANY BIBLES AND TRACTS were distributed; HOW MANY CHURCH BUILDINGS OR ORPHANAGES were built, and so on. It is as though American Christians who give to missions need to see some concrete proof that their money was well spent! Photos and details of these accomplishments are often exhibited on the wall of the church like trophies. Whatever happened to just recognizing the calling of a missionary and sending him out with support to do as the Lord leads? Not all missionaries are called to build churches - in fact in many countries the Church meets in homes (think of the money THAT saves!). Everyone cares about orphaned children, but in many countries orphanages as such are impractical, and instead, children can be cared for better in other ways, such as in local homes, if the local church can handle the responsibility of giving support. Today the Lord is calling many missionaries and local ministers to a new type of ministry - if God touches our hearts to help, do we have to have "proof" of success before we will give to support it?
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Great white missionary syndrome
This is a phrase that we have coined through the years as we gradually recognized different faults and weaknesses commonly exhibited by American missionaries. We include ourselves in this as we realize that we have learned "better ways" of dealing with cross-cultural issues as we gradually came to understand culture differences through the years. Some of the different signs and symptoms of this syndrome that we should look out for are as follows:
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1) "We know best"
It is true that the average American has probably had more schooling than many lower income people in most 2nd and 3rd world countries, and therefore actually does "know MORE". However the simple fact that WE are dealing with situations in THEIR country means that we really DON'T know what's BEST! Even after living in their country for years, and living as THEY do, can we begin to get an understanding of the many complex cultural issues involved in seemingly "simple" situations and decisions. Even if our ways are better in some respects, it may not be feasible to implement them in that culture. At best, we should take time to develop some close personal relationships with faithful Christians there, and gradually discuss the issues, ideas and suggestions, hearing especially what THEY have to say, rather than putting forth OUR ideas!
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2) "We'll get this organized"
It's very true that because of Western society in general, Americans are good at organizing things. There is often a tendency then for Americans to try to "take over", when they view the way churches or other organizations are being run. Often the locals say nothing and appear to go along with all the changes - this can happen for several reasons. Firstly, because often the Americans bring in money and other resources to make the improvements! (Anyone would be stupid to turn that down!) Secondly, because often the locals don't want to offend, and the reality is that many missionaries don't actually stay involved more than a year or two in each place! As a result, once they've left, the locals just go back to the way they prefer things anyway! However the truth is that often although the locals go along with things, they really resent the changes and after time, there's a big blow-up because true feelings and opinions were bottled up! It is often very difficult to find a local believer who will tell you honestly about your ideas and methods - again it takes time and a special relationship, so patience and a constant desire to learn and understand why the locals do things the way they do, are very important.
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3) "We just need to raise funds for it"
Americans are so used to seeing a need and planning a fund-drive to help, that they tend to become focused on the finances and material needs. This is especially true in poor areas where desperate needs are so apparent to those in the West, who are so blessed materially. We are proud that America as a nation gives so much to those in need overseas, but unfortunately money is not always the answer to a problem. Also, it is unfortunate that this adds to the commonly held belief that all Americans are wealthy! Missionaries living in poorer nations face all kinds of problems such as paying huge legal fees for visas, suffering delays at the bank as they try to get access to their funds, and being charged double just because they are obviously Americans! Because of this misconception of wealth, American missionaries often have desperate people knocking on the door for a hand-out (believe me, it's heartbreaking on a daily basis!); and it is extremely difficult to know who your TRUE local friends are as many are adept at being VERY friendly and helpful for months, simply because they think they can get something material from the relationship! Personally we believe it is important to develop relationships with people in another culture, in a way that is NOT based on finances, but on mutual ministry vision and calling. As we share experiences and encourage one another, we learn (on both sides) more about the culture differences and what the Lord wants to do in the relationship and ministry. THEN it will be more clear what resources are needed and how to best use them.
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Encouragement
As we look back over the many cross-cultural experiences we've had through the years, there's a tendency to groan at some of the insensitive things we said and did - simply because we didn't understand! But we can all be comforted by the fact that Jesus gave us the Great Commission, and although it really IS important to be led by the Holy Spirit, God doesn't wait until we are "perfect" before He uses us! As Christians, we are ALL walking down the same path, along which we must learn more patience, self-control, forgiveness, and the many other spiritual attributes that take time to develop. The great joy is that even when working in other countries and cultures, we can develop deep friendships that bond us forever to others in the Body of Christ! Back to top
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