It is often said that missionaries live in two cultures but are never really fully part of either. We go one step beyond that and take in a third culture. David is presently in India visiting Daniel and Matthew for half-term at Hebron School way up in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. The snow of Sapporo is left behind for the pleasant climes of Ooty. Actually lots of things change - bathing techniques (the good old bucket bath); food (a little bit spicier); early morning alarm (courtesy of the prayer call from the local mosque followed 30 minutes later by the 6am siren); and the traffic (crazy bustle of cars, buses, people, cows, goats, horses, often all trying to find a space on the road where there is one whether it's the right side of the road or not!) The first week is time for catch up at school - meeting the staff, interviews with the teachers (the report cards have just been distributed), enjoying the company of other parents who encompass many nationalities and work in many different parts of Asia. We love the family atmosphere at Hebron School. There is such a tangible sense of love caring and encouragement. Yesterday evening a Praise and Prayer evening was held at the school, attended by many of the older children as well as staff and parents. It was a wonderful time for this international community to praise and pray together as well as hear from three speakers who shared about their country of work and what they are doing (David had a slot on Japan). Keeping a toehold in three cultures has its challenges - but we (boys included) are all the richer for the experience.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Double life
It is often said that missionaries live in two cultures but are never really fully part of either. We go one step beyond that and take in a third culture. David is presently in India visiting Daniel and Matthew for half-term at Hebron School way up in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. The snow of Sapporo is left behind for the pleasant climes of Ooty. Actually lots of things change - bathing techniques (the good old bucket bath); food (a little bit spicier); early morning alarm (courtesy of the prayer call from the local mosque followed 30 minutes later by the 6am siren); and the traffic (crazy bustle of cars, buses, people, cows, goats, horses, often all trying to find a space on the road where there is one whether it's the right side of the road or not!) The first week is time for catch up at school - meeting the staff, interviews with the teachers (the report cards have just been distributed), enjoying the company of other parents who encompass many nationalities and work in many different parts of Asia. We love the family atmosphere at Hebron School. There is such a tangible sense of love caring and encouragement. Yesterday evening a Praise and Prayer evening was held at the school, attended by many of the older children as well as staff and parents. It was a wonderful time for this international community to praise and pray together as well as hear from three speakers who shared about their country of work and what they are doing (David had a slot on Japan). Keeping a toehold in three cultures has its challenges - but we (boys included) are all the richer for the experience.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment