Traveling to Israel, via a layover in Istanbul, Turkey, was fascinating
and slightly disorienting. English and American culture were no longer the
default reference point for everything from announcements to cuisine. However,
English subtitles and the wide acceptance of American currency allowed us to
reasonably navigate the environment without speaking the local languages.
While serving in the U.S. military, I didn’t realize how much of an “American
bubble” we took with us, during international travel, and how this bubble
sometimes insulated us from having to adapt to the new cultures we
encountered. My recent experiences are helping me better appreciate God’s
guidance on how to treat strangers; “You shall also love the stranger, for you
were strangers…” (Deut. 10:19). Should we re-examine how we feel about and
act towards those struggling to become acclimated to our communities?
No comments:
Post a Comment