(@ ACTI Spore - April, 2006.
When still in the bench of theological training, often we heard testimonies from missionaries who served on the field. Their stories and testimonies were of varied and full of happiness and also sorrow. Definitely all of that depended on their situation and the conditions on their field of the service, and what their attitude was in facing those situations. It was evident from hearing their testimonies that it was not easy to enter cross-cultural ministry.
We also realized that being from different cultures and nationalities would make for even more difficult situations, especially in the area of culture differences, the aspect of language differences, habits and personal conduct.
Before we entered our place of service, we were to study language and the culture in the capital of the country for one month, and that was very pleasant because all factors were very supportive and in our favor - everyone only spoke one dialect wherever we went which helped us to quickly learn the language. Unfortunately, though, because of financial limitations, that could only take place a month. We were eventually forced into immediately entering our field of service with a very limited and minimal grasp of the national language. We had to work on completing our study of language and culture while in the midst of ministry.
However, what became startling to us was that in our new place of service, not only one language was used, but three, even four dialects. Another struggle also for us was that evidently our colleague used a dialect that was different from the one we studied. At first we tried to stay calm in facing the reality of this difficult situation, but after experienced the difficulty of learning even one new language, to adapt to the local culture as well as our colleague in a different work in a different nation was something that required the Holy Spirit, perseverance and patience. We had previous experience in co-operating with the others of different cultures and nationalities, but evidently that was not enough. The reality of what we were experiencing here was something new and unknown to us beforehand. It was like learning everything from the beginning again.
In looking back at the aspect of preparation, one matter that made us grateful and thankful to the Lord was that before entering the mission field, by His grace we were able to be equipped at Asian Cross-cultural Training Institute (ACTI). It was a privilege for us to be involved in training and formation at ACTI, because what was given there really helped to answer situations and challenges on the field. Our home country had missions training held by churches or local missions agencies, but the Lord brought us to ACTI where the lecturers had experience in the field of service for more than 15 years. ACTI was really different in their perspective from other mission trainings available in that their lecturers were from various different mission agencies and cultural backgrounds who were definitely experienced in ministry. That knowledge was very valuable and significant to us who were just entering the field.
We ourselves have experienced and enjoyed results of preparation and provisioning at ACTI. When we were faced by these situations and challenges on the field, even the problem of language and culture as well as our fellow worker from a different background, we praised God because ACTI had prepared and equipped us to face all that. We experienced good preparation that really helped, because at ACTI that was done by all of us living “cross-cultural” together and studying how to anticipate situations that would come up, as well as how to use the strategies that were good for cross-cultural ministry.
By the grace and mercy of the Lord, we have been able to go through our days here with joy and fulfillment. Despite our hesitations at first, evidently with the provisions that were owned by us, the Lord afforded us grace to face and to overcome the challenges. So, although we still are newcomers, learners, and listeners, we have seen what God has done in and through our lives, in our language study, and in the area of building relationships and ministry day by day. That is all only because of His grace.
Our suggestion and advice for candidates in Asia who will enter cross-cultural service, is that it is better for them to enroll and be prepared in places like ACTI. If we want to give the best to the Lord through ourselves in our field of service, we should also be prepared and equipped well through a good and experienced place. All the glory only for the Lord!
