The Third Degree

While you might be kicking your heels waiting for your fortnight in the sun, most students are already two months into their summer break. The encouraging news is that many Christian students are giving weeks or months this summer to be part of what God is doing worldwide.

As many of you will be supporting Christian students in your family or church, who are involved in cross-cultural mission this summer, I asked John Williams, UCCF's World Mission Co-ordinator, to offer some tips to help them avoid putting their foot in it:

Humour

Australian friends tell me: 'You aren't a good mate with an Aussie unless you can insult one another'. Yet in many other cultural contexts an insult is unforgivable, and especially in public. Africans look on aghast at the banter Westerners enjoy as 'good fun'. Always make observations about the humour acceptable locally before 'loosening up' yourself. On the whole, the more exposure a culture has had to Westerners before, the more you can get away with.

A common language?

A missionary team leader was talking on the telephone to a Brazilian colleague. 'It's settled, then. We'll meet here tomorrow.' Next day, the Brazilian had not shown up and so another phone call followed. 'Why haven't you come?' 'But you said we'd meet here - and I'm still here, waiting for you', he explained.

When speakers from other cultures use English they may well bring limitations on meaning to a word that equate to their own language and culture, rather than to ours. Even Americans get confused by British English. Always double check important details by getting others to rehearse them back to you in different words.

Food

Some of the biggest variations in culture are seen at the meal table. Should you empty the plate or not? Is a burp a compliment? Can you speak while eating or would silence be an insult? Many Asians use their right hand. Chinese will love you for mastering chop-sticks. Look, ask and then eat. Better to manage even just a little than to refuse outright. You are what you eat. This is not merely a biological fact but also a cultural one. To reject people's food is to reject them. Many will love you if you eat their food heartily. Westerners will worry about the final bill, but few others will. As for what you eat ƒ you can always fall back on the old missionary prayer: 'Lord, I'll get it down if you'll keep it down'.

And finally...

Early in my missionary career I was walking along a track and asked someone the way to my destination. He looked me over with some surprise and then told me. (Foreigners usually travel in 4 x 4's, not on foot!). Shortly after, I realised that my route required fording a muddy stream. I was the only one wearing shoes. With no other option, I took off my shoes, rolled up my trousers and waded across like the rest. It became good preparation for eventually living in a house where the only access was through a deeply flooded track. I used to think twice about going out, but the locals never hesitated to visit us. Sometimes putting your foot in it is the only thing to do.

For more tips on making the most of the summer; advice for final year students; articles on worship, and guidance; interview with NUS President; Bible reading notes; and the usual reviews and fun items see Issue 04 of 'The Blurb' - on sale now!

Subscriptions are now available. To sign up (for yourself, or for a student you know) three issues for £6, send a cheque payable to 'UCCF' to The Blurb, 38 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GP. 'The Blurb' is the 52-page magazine for Christian students (www.theblurb.org ).

Summer has arrived!

Humour

A common language?

Food

And finally...

Emma Balch

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