How do we create healthier, stronger, peaceful communities? Is it even possible? I say and emphatic, "YES!" As I've traveled throughout the Middle East and Europe I have learned so much about the important relevance of community and culture. I thought I had an understanding of how vital community was until I was immersed in other cultures abroad.
As an American with no prior experience in immersive learning I thought I knew all about other cultures from all my studies. Boy was I wrong. You see, it's one thing to read or hear about other cultures, but nothing can replace the immersive experience of the human, personal connection. I have discovered that so many Americans make sweeping, stereotypical statements about other cultures, people groups, and faiths. But what I have learned, like so many others, is that we actually have a lot more in common, although we may celebrate it differently.
Sure, it's true, perhaps our faith backgrounds are different. But that doesn't mean we have to hate each other. That doesn't meant that we cannot interact with one another and learn from our differences.
One of the most greatest things I am learning from spending time abroad is how important it is to focus on human relationship, and the one in front of you. There is a running joke in Cyprus and many other Middle Eastern countries that nothing ever starts on time and there is basically no agenda or time line. This is often very true because an important emphasis is placed on people. If someone shows up to your house, you stop what you are doing and you give this person attention with honor and respect.
It doesn't stop there though. The hospitality that is displayed is heartwarming. The entire family works together to prepare a full-blown meal, tea...LOTS of tea, and desserts. It is not uncommon for you to leave their home with some sort of gift. This is very similar to how things are done in Europe. Even though you may have had plans for the day, if someone shows up, your plans just changed and your visitors just became your priority. As a visitor, you walk away feeling very honored and loved. Focus is put on people, relationships, and community; rather than on work, production, and money.
In America, we often don't even know who our next door neighbor is because we pull into the garage, close the door, and keep to ourselves. We often seem to feel it is a burden or a nuisance to have our personal agenda disrupted.
Another beautiful thing I have experienced is that complete strangers you met out in public will invite you into their home and shower you as an honored guest. Often times in America, again, it seems we are so rushed and focused on our personal agenda and getting marking our next task off that our noses are down and we seem burdened by the people around us. How often do you see families or couples at a restaurant and each person is head down, concentrated on their phone? Totally distracted and absolutely not present. In large, you won't see this abroad. You will see and hear roars of laughter, voices exchanging ideas and stories. Humans engaged with other humans. It is absolutely, remarkably beautiful.
Propaganda is nothing new and is as old as the war-tactic of spying. I believe propaganda is largely to blame for how the West views relationships and those who are different than us. Of course there are other things behind this. We are taught by books, social media, political figures, and churches even, how to view people and cultures who are different than we are. We then develop a very unhealthy perspective of others often resulting in cold, callous assumptions at minimum, and pure hatred and racism, or false accusation at worst. Please know, this is not just an American thing. It does happen globally. Racism and hatred are as old as the planet. But might we have the opportunity to change this?
I recall when I was involved in investigative research for counter-terrorism I had developed a certain perspective of a specific people group. I grew a hard heart and almost a hatred for them...all based on what other people told me. Things began shifting for me about seven years ago, which is a lovely story for another time. As I got involved in Afghan rescue efforts and began traveling and spending time in the Middle East and Europe I experienced a major awakening in my world view. So many things people and propaganda had taught me were simply not true.
In fact, I began learning how terribly false and inaccurate much of it was. What I discovered was incredibly beautiful. I uncovered through immersion in other cultures just how important family, community, and human interaction is. I found how beautiful other cultures are. More importantly, I learned how much more alike we are than we are different. Something else that is happening is that I am learning how cruel and evil the intentions are behind propaganda, which may surprise you, that a lot of it is being disseminated within our churches. I am also learning that at the core of most people I encounter, we all desire peace, safety, security, love, respect, and hope and future for our families and ourselves.
I have provided a couple of resources for you to consider. One is a Cultural Awareness Check-up, litmus test to see how you are doing in this area. The second, is a resource to help you grow in Cultural Awareness and Wellness.
We would love to hear from you and positive experiences you have had in traveling to other countries or interacting with other cultures and people groups. Let us grow stronger in promoting global security, stability, and peace as we engage, equip, and empower one another as Global Agents of Change and force multipliers.
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