Masala Dosas, Cucumber Chutney & Church
I was born with a condition called “picky eater.” Not very conducive for international travel. So, I’ve had to adapt and try new things. In high school I didn’t like lasagna, Chinese food, or asparagus–among many other things. Now, I love them.
Masala dosas and cucumber chutney are way out of my comfort zone. (Masala Dosas are yummy, by the way. Thanks for the tip, Rays!) But so is traveling to South Asia for two weeks. And walking around a Hindu temple without my shoes on. And wearing some traditional clothing of a country foreign to me.
I am in a country where the recurring question in my mind is, do I do this because I’m a Christian or because I’m Western or American? Do I judge this behavior that I observe because it’s wrong or because I’m just not used to seeing it? I think it’s an important question to ask because it isn’t my job to make anyone Western. I can’t even make anyone a Christian. Is it wrong for me to pay for something that supports a religion that I believe to be false when it may help me understand the culture a little more? Is it wrong for someone to urinate publicly on the sidewalk, or as the general public here believes, is it wrong for me to watch someone urinate on the sidewalk? What things are necessary for safety and health and what things are just conveniences? It’s a question I might not have asked if I hadn’t come here.
We got to go to a local church this morning and it was really great. What an encouragement to the soul to worship with believers from another culture who sincerely love the Lord and share your desire to make Him known! We met believers from Cambridge, Chile, South Asia, and Africa. I kept thinking, “every tribe and tongue!” How beautiful!
Those are such good questions to be asking! I find myself asking the same questions here in the states. How much of what I do is cultural? Do I think this because of where I was raised? Are my cultural biases hindering my ability minister to people? To love them? It’s not easy to find a black and white answer, but it is so necessary to wrestle with it.
I’m thrilled to be watching your journey. I’m praying that this will be life changing in so many ways. You look beautiful by the way!
thanks for the posts andrea. i just commented on harry’s blog, too. glad to know that things are going well! love the clothes–chic, girl! now, you can join me in wearing Salwars to VBS every summer. aren’t they SOOOOOOO comfortable??? love ‘em!
PLUS…i’m totally jealous of all the yummy food you’re eating. we ate many masala dosas during our time in india.
yum! love me some naan and roti, too. my preggo tummy is living vicariously through you in these moments!
can’t wait to read more updates and hear more about the work that you’re getting to observe.