Hello friends!
This month, I have decided to write up a real case study. This is a situation I faced at language school last month and the outcome is still uncertain. The point of describing this incident is to provoke your consideration about what you would do in this situation. I invite you to print this journal entry out and take it to your Sunday School class for discussion. Discuss the questions below, then write and tell me what you decided. I am convinced that the 21st century will present us all with more opportunities than we have ever had in the past for cross-cultural interaction - no matter where we live. The more we encounter people from cultures that are different from ours, the more we will be forced to think critically about how we live our daily faith. I hope that this exercise will stimulate your thinking about how you understand evangelism and Christian ethics in our multicultural world.
(Before you start, please choose a person who is willing to compile your answers and email them to me. Then pray that God will give you insight as you consider the following study.)
Case study:
Cultural background:
Thailand is a culture in which positional hierarchy is highly valued and the entire structure of society depends on it. Relationships are considered of utmost importance. The issue of saving face is also a deep concern. To embarrass someone is to grievously offend their value system. Thai people also have a deep need to be loved and cared for and they are hungry for acceptance and affirmation. I am here at language school to learn the Thai language and reorient my life so that I can function and communicate in the Thai culture. It is also important for me to be a person who shines the light of Christ as I go throughout my daily activities.
Critical Incident:
Last month, at school, I had a teacher who was the pits! She frequently went on tangents that were not helpful. She was often unable to answer student's questions. She spoke VERY slowly, which became a real detriment when people on the street were speaking at mach 10 speed and I didn't understand them! What she did teach was never in any organized fashion - just random bits here and there. So I frequently had to spend hours after class trying to sort out what the heck she was trying to say. She didn't like to write things on the board, and got impatient with us when we requested that she do so. In addition to this, she neglected to cover the required material for the class. And this is the kicker: she's the assistant principal of the school and she's been there for 26 years! (...I will admit that she was quite friendly, though.)
At the end of the month, we all went in for our final exam. About halfway into it, we were looking at each other with blank looks on our faces. We could only do about 50% of the exam, and we all had left the same sections blank...Hmm...What to do? The teacher looked around at our papers and saw what was happening. So she walked up to the board, and wrote out all the answers for the sections we had left blank. She also walked around and pointed out mistakes we had made on the sections we had done. After the exam, the Asian students felt relieved, and the Westerners felt concerned! We all passed and were able to commence on to the next module, fully acknowledged by most everyone to be the hardest class at the school. Needless to say, I'm having a hard time this month, and I've decided to take this module over again next month.
Questions:
1. This case sheds light on many differences between Thai culture and Western culture. What major differences can you identify?
2. Why do you think the teacher gave the students the answers? Do you think this was an appropriate thing for her to do, given Thai culture?
3. List at least five possible courses of action that I could have taken in response (this can be both during the torturous month of study with this teacher and/or after the class was finished).
4. Discuss with your group which course of action you think would be most appropriate.
5. Why is the choice you made the most appropriate response for this context? What Biblical texts can you think of that speak to this issue?
6. Finally, please pray for me!
(If you are interested in further reading to help you think about this issue, I would encourage you to pick up Strange Virtues by Bernard T. Adeney. See especially chapter 4 ("The Bible and Culture in Ethics") and chapter 5 ("Cultural Value Orientations in Contrast").
Prayer Requests:
As for my prayer requests...language study is really at the top of the list. :) I am also a little disappointed that I have not heard from my friend, Solongo, for a long time. But I know she is in God's hands. I do praise God for continuing to provide for me so generously. I am feeling more at home here each day. And I am making some new friends. Things continue to go well at church. Also, praise God that I was finally able to get a 1 year visa!! Yay! I have recently been up to Chiang Mai, where I will be working next year. It was a good trip and I enjoyed talking with Karen Smith at the New Life Center and hearing more about their work. I'm excited that I will be a part of that ministry in the future. My relationship with Rung is going well and I am grateful for that opportunity for evangelism and friendship with her. Also, I have enjoyed having a group of 5 women from school over to my home each month for dinner. Last month, they came over in the afternoon and I taught them how to make their own beaded bracelets. Then, one of the Japanese women taught us how to make a Japanese meal called, "Okonomiyaki". Next month, we will be learning Korean food from a Korean woman! It's a good time to practice our Thai, because we can't speak any other common language. And the group is made up of Christians and Buddhists - a good chance for friendship evangelism.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and encouragement! I will be interested to hear your ideas about this case study.
Blessings to you.
Your Sister in Christ,
Kit Ripley