Cultural Redemption

Group Study

A week ago we experienced our first overnight stay in the village.  When our intentions were to build bridges, we ended up making our hosts feel bad because we had to leave before breakfast.  With our little language, we were unable to explain why we had to go.  After consulting our cultural experts, we determined the only way to remedy this situation was to spend another night at their own home.   This required us to talk to J’s boss ahead of time so he knew J would be coming into work late once breakfast was over.

Singing along

Just hanging out

Last Tuesday, we headed back out to the village for our regular Word study, but this time the husband of our hostess joined us for the first time since the group started.  This man has had a rough life.  His arm is not functional from a car accident because there were no doctors to care for him.  On a daily basis, he smells of alcohol.  However during our visit last week, J was able to share some stories with him.  He has developed a friendship with J and respects him very much, so he joined the study to learn more about the stories J told him.  He actually participated by reading the Word and singing with us.  It was quite a different man from the weeks prior where he would sit under a tree drinking and smoking while we studied.

J's new buddy

Setting up for bed

Our new family

Our new family

Breakfast

Saying goodbye

After the study, the entire group stayed for dinner.  Our team picked up the meats and vegetables from the market and helped prepare the meal.  We all ate together as a family.  In their culture, it is very uncommon for the man of the house to eat with the family.  After much convincing, the husband joined us.  We took some time to share our favorite part of the day with each other, and he commented his was eating dinner together.

Once dinner was over, the team left but we stayed.  We prepared our bed and had some conversation with the family.  It was a great time of visiting!  We taught each other how to say the parts of the body in our native languages.  We woke up the next morning bright and early to the roosters crowing and the smell of breakfast.  Our hostess had prepared a feast.  We enjoyed rice, fish, vegetables, coffee, and oval tine.  L is really doing well learning to eat rice!  We visited for a while before our departure.  Our visit concluded by her telling us we were now family and we were welcome anytime.  The Father is good!