New Things

I really like to learn new things, to think new thoughts. It is one of my favorite past-times to sit and think about ideas and how to make them happen.

I just finished attending a class on contextualization at Bethel Seminary. If you don’t know what contextualization is I want to empower you- look it up in a dictionary. It is a critical issue when cross-culturally teaching or preaching. I know that it can be badly done. I have heard preachers come from the States to Thailand and use sermon illustrations that are totally irrelevant to the people or culture. One was hilarious- the preacher talked about using appliances in a village where there wasn’t any electricity and the poverty level of the church he preached to would have clearly sent the message that they did not have appliances.

I once read a paper online that stated that missionaries were decimating the hill-tribe peoples’ culture faster than Thai society could. That thought made me shudder and I have to admit that as I concluded this class on contextualization, that I do not want to be contributing to this destruction of the K’s culture.

Another perspective was that by importing western teaching it will erode or affect change. I know just from living in the village that my presence on a daily basis was causing a change. I am teaching constantly even if I am not in a classroom. The way I did things were constantly being watched, filtered and examined. Now this can be a positive change, like washing hands to control disease or filtering contaminated water. I guess I have a whole new realization of responsibility. One that I take very seriously.

We really are watched, aren’t we? I am new in a neighborhood and people are watching me. Not in a creepy, paranoid, sinister kind of way- but they don’t know me and they wonder what I’m about- or maybe why I am there. It underscores the responsibility of living a life that is transparent, that does not cause destruction, but brings blessing to others.

(Today I met my neighbor for the first time. I’ve lived there three weeks. He has noticed my coming and going. Now I know someone from my neighborhood!)

Starting Over

I’m new in town. Yeah, I think of the cheesy movie with that title and oddly, I feel like I could identify with the character in that movie. I don’t know where any thing is- I’m using a GPS to get to the grocery store and yesterday I tried to find an office supply store but the road wasn’t really there.

It can be lonely at times. I go to the coffee shop (yea, free internet!) and see people hanging out chatting over coffee. I am at a table alone. No one to talk to. I drive back home. It seems rather sad.

But on the upswing, there’s a whole mess of people to get to know that I’ve not met yet. It is just a matter of time. I’m looking forward to that day.

Does everyone do life this way? So autonomous? Independently moving through their day? It really takes a lot of fun out of living in the city.

I went to church last Sunday and was so happy to get to talk to people. It is a new church for me- new friends to discover. I don’t know how people who don’t go to church do this.

Each day I tell myself I am one day closer to knowing where things are. I am one day closer to making good friends I can hang out with. It is a good day.