This is post from May 8th from Terry at Across All Borders. Oh, boy! Now this is a topic that is a little scary to think about. We've all been faced with the dilemna that "when you gotta go, you gotta go!" I know that from having young kids, and the times that we've had to race to a gas station or use a porta-potty! So, I'm glad that Terry is equipping us with information that we will all have on our mind but maybe too shy to ask about! I was also just chatting with my Dad this morning about what it was like when he grew up, not having a TV, cell phones, etc. And I think this experience will be an incredible reminder of how fortunate we really are and how grateful we should be!
May 8 - Embracing the Culture: Bathrooms
1 Peter 2:17 "Show proper respect to
everyone..."
We cannot have a month's worth of daily devotionals without eventually
getting to a few culture topics and there are several to be shared in the coming
days. Let's go ahead and get this one out of the way. I wish I did not have to
address this, but it has been an issue in the past, so here we go...
A short term mission trip is no time to influence a culture in any way
other than by our message of the gospel.
I have been to several countries on mission trips and have been in
public restrooms cleaner than the ones in my own home and been in the most
disgusting latrines in the world. And yes, there are many times on mission trips
when there is no bathroom, not even a latrine, for hours and the side of the
road is the only option. Fortunately, Guatemala has toilets and most
Guatemalans, even the most poor, have them (though some do not). Some of them
are shockingly clean, especially those in tourist areas. Even the church in the
village has a toilet. It may not be the cleanest, but it serves its purpose. But
there will be times when we may be far from what we consider decent restrooms.
The villagers will offer you their best. How upsetting it is when they begin to
hear team members giggling to each other and making rude comments and noises
while holding their noses. And we expect them to be welcoming and want to hear
our message after that? No. The opportunity will be gone.
I know it sounds funny and you probably think it isn't necessary to go over
this, but it happens all the time. Short term missionaries offend national hosts
over trivial differences in lifestyle and that closes the door to effective
ministry. I say this with as much love as I can muster, for you and especially
our partners and families in Guatemala....You can handle whatever bathroom (or
lack of) you are faced with. Be tough and please, don't make any comments about
it.
You will not often be uncomfortable in Guatemala. Your trip has been
arranged to be as comfortable as possible and is not one of those trips that
will bring a lot of inconvenience or discomfort. Where you stay, most of the
places you eat, your transportation is all good and comfortable. In comparison
to many mission trips, this one is luxurious. But there will be some
inconvenience and it can be endured. You may or may not enjoy the food you eat
(most people love it). No matter what, it will be different than what you are
used to, but you will make it through the week. You may not be happy about the
fact that you have been asked not to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, but we do
this for a reason. Because it isn't cultural to wear shorts in Guatemala (unless
you are a child) and sleeveless shirts are often seen as "tacky". You can handle
dressing the way that is culturally appropriate for a week without
complaint.
This is not time to stretch Guatemala by doing things the way you want to
do them (wearing clothes you want to wear in the name of freedom, expressing
your desire for "real food", discussing with Guatemalans where WE live or how
OUR church operates). Your home church and our culture is NOT better than the
one we are visiting. It is simply different.
Going back to the bathroom illustration: The fact is that even if the
person that may show you to their bathroom that is not up to your standards had
more money, she probably would not spend it on a new bathroom anyway. It's just
not a priority. Is that wrong? No. The culture is different than what we are
used to and remember, when we are in Guatemala, the people of Guatemala are not
the ones that are different; we are.
Smile through the unpleasant differences you notice. Keep your (negative)
thoughts to yourself. Embrace the culture. Enjoy the journey.
Father, I know that you will care for me on this trip where so much
will be unfamiliar. You have placed qualities within this culture and I pray you
help me embrace them. Make me a pure and humble channel of your truth and love.
Give me eyes to see the treasure you have put in Guatemala and help me to honor
the people of this beautiful country. By your grace I will humble myself and
look out for their needs rather than focus on my own.
With Gratitude,
Sondra
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