WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

THE LIFE AND LIFESTYLE OF THE MESSENGER
in more developed countries. For example, homes did not have refrigerators.
Home furnishings were simple and minimal. The team did not own cars but
used public transport or bicycles. Water supply was a problem as even wells
would run dry. Toilet paper was considered a luxury item.
Missionaries will experience different adjustment problems concerning
living standards. Those who come from developed economies and who have
had a background of higher standards of living and lifestyle will usually find
adjustments to vastly lower standards very difficult.
In one particular Southeast Asian country, I noticed that within the same
mission agency, some missionaries lived very simply while others lived fairly
luxuriously by local standards. Usually single men and women find it easier to
live simply. I observed that couples with young children adopted a higher
standard of living. One Western missionary couple brought almost all their
furniture from home and lived in a huge home as they did not want their children
to feel uncomfortable in a foreign land. In actual fact, children will adjust fairly
quickly - depending on the attitudes of their parents. If their parents have a
positive attitude about living simply, they will be just as happy to join in the
adventure of living in a new country.
In many fields today, Christians cross cultures as “tentmakers” serving
Christ in and through their professions. They too need to consider the kind of
lifestyles to adopt. Sometimes they may have little choice as their housing is
decided upon by their employers. In most cases, their lifestyles match what is
expected of expatriate professionals. A friend of mine in East Asia had developed
his own convictions about living simply. He therefore refused to live like other
foreigners who were usually housed in luxury hotels.
Another couple in a Southeast Asian country studied the lifestyles of the
people, including foreigners in the country. This couple decided to set their
budget just below the “middle class” levels. They found a house to rent that was
very adequate as Asians. Their Western friends found their standards too
stringent. However, their non-Christian contacts, the people they wished to
reach, were pleased by their standards.
What kind of lifestyle then should missionaries have? Each will carefully
have to decide for himself. When going to a new culture, getting advice from
local people and from the Christian community, if there is one, would be wise.
They could provide a more balanced perspective.
The main reason for a contextualised lifestyle is to identify with the people
we desire to win. The main principle in cross-cultural identification is that of
incarnation.
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