The Downside of Cultural Issues & Misunderstandings

June 11, 2009
The Downside of Cultural Issues & Misunderstandings

Ok if anyone asked me what are some of the interesting downsides of your long term missionary trip I’d have to say cultural issues and misunderstandings. Unfortunately cultural issues get in the way of ministry and lately for HWP they have got in the way a lot!

In the last three weeks all these things have happened; a nasty termination of our house Daddy/Social Worker, accosting of myself by an elected official, the robbery of the Door of Hope house and extraction from the house of a young man we were assisting temporarily. Does it sound like spiritual attacks? Is Satan alive and well in Masaka? Or is it cultural issues and misunderstandings. I think all 3!

The vast majority of the African population has grown up with the “hand held out” mentality. This mentality has been predicated by American, UK and other foreign NGO’s and Government organizations giving, giving, giving! From child sponsors for school fees to food handed out in lunch lines from the government. Many don’t have to “work” for any of their provisions, expect muzungos to be rich, give them money or things and/or then be all loving and non-confrontational. I’ve had Ugandan pastors say that the things we are experiencing are cultural misunderstandings. They say that Ugandans don’t have the same work ethic or understanding of business as Americans. They also say things like, we need to understand that Ugandans weren’t raised with an open communication to people like Americans are, that Americans are “too free” with their way of communicating and with their lives. Cultural differences, yes, but not able to work with the people? I don’t think so! How is it that Ugandans can be praising God, with hands held high, and be in reverent prayer and then an hour later be yelling at you and trying to extort money from you?

This may sound harsh coming from a missionary and someone that is supposed to love and care about the people of the nations. I guess living and seeing this mentality in most of the people in Uganda makes you re-think how you have to approach a 3rd world culture like Uganda. All of the cultural classes, the short term mission trips and mentoring from pastors doesn’t completely prepare you for “living it”. Don’t get me wrong, I love the people here!! Really not all the people are this way. You’ve all read my other Blogs. I’ve been so Blessed and I’m continually excited by all of the things God is doing here, with the children, the people and in me. It is just hard to go through the trials we have had in the last three weeks. Please keep us ALL in prayer; He Will Provide Ministries, Robyn, Jim, the 15 children and me. Thanks all and God’s Blessings!!

1 Peter 3:17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, then to suffer for doing wrong.