Jamaica Friday

How do you take a break from Joplin to talk about the Jamaica dental mission trip?  I am not sure, but I have to get my Jamaica posts finished.  Today and tomorrow are the last two messages from the dental mission trip.  Read back two weeks ago to catch the posts leading in to these.

Friday in Jamaica


When cultures collide. In mission work and on vacation, I have had the privilege in this life to visit many other countries. Russia, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Mozambique and a few others. There is one thing that is universally true about each of these destinations. They have customs and practices that are different from ours in America. They are in fact, in some cases, different to the point of offensive to us. Which makes me wonder, how do we come across to them? And the answer to this is obvious.

While we see a slower paced day and a relaxed attention to time as annoying or wasteful, some cultures see this as the way to enjoy the gift of life and celebrate the day. While we will never walk into a store and consider offering a lower price, in some cultures, it is expected and even welcomed as part of the game. We would never skim some off the top to bolster our personal position, but in some cultures, it is routine and accepted. We also would not, [I hope] use our position to better ourselves in some manner that was detrimental to others. But that is our culture, at least in the church.

Americans are strong, determined and giving. This can also be seen as arrogant, offensive and paternalistic. So missions better be about more than the blondies coming in and rescuing the poor. Missions better include us getting past the issue of stuff and finding one another as human beings. When we find the time to share about our families and our faith, then we have crossed the globe and connected with one another. This is how lasting relationships are made.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.