Love Speaks Korean
I had dinner tonight with a Korean family who have been attending my church. It was a wonderful and interesting time. I'll have to admit some of the food was a bit different. For instance, the fish on my plate stared at me with fried eyes. Various cuts of meat were cooked upon a grill stationed in the middle of the table. I was shown how to place the meat upon leaves of romaine lettuce, doctor it with various spices, wrap it tightly and put the whole ball of food into the mouth at one time. And I struggled mightily with the chop sticks, usually ending up having to speer the pieces of food. My new friends seemed to watch intently as Deb and I tried to respectfully dine. Perhaps they were piqued by our crude table manners, but I think they were immersed in making sure we enjoyed our meals. And we did!
The young couple spoke very little English, although they seemed to understand most of what I had to say. A matronly lady was the hostess. She has a beautiful home, immaculately clean, with white carpets upon which you would dare not wear shoes. As we dined, she told me why she has been coming to my church. Her son was having troubles. He somehow programmed his GPS unit to find a church, and it somehow directed him to my little church. Apparently, this was the first non-Korean church she has attended. And they have continued to come- Sunday mornings and nights, Wednesday evenings. We continued to talk for a good bit. Much of what they had to say I found difficult to understand, and I am sure they struggled similarly with me. But all was enjoyable. When it was time to go, the custom was not handshakes and hugs, but a smile and slight bow of deference/reverence to one another. I've never done so before, but it seemed rather appropriate at the time.
I grew up in a small town whose only cultural diversity was black and white, and we did not handle that very well. Now I find myself in a melting pot of cultures. My church is a bit of the same mixture. Tomorrow I'll go to Rosa's shop for a haircut. She is a friend who periodically attends my church with her two children. She is from San Salvadore. Next week I'm leaving for a week of vacation. Winston will preach for me. He is an active church member and respected friend, from Jamaica. And when I have computer needs, I go to Albert. He has a computer shop and a restaurant. He and his wife are from Taiwan. I baptized them several years ago. We've done a pretty good job of just being a church; not worrying too much about nationalities or skin colors.
Seven years ago, at another church, Mr. Phil sat down to try to “talk some sense into me”. He told me it just was not appropriate for blacks and whites to dine at the same table. The same with church, he said.I was so taken aback I did not know what to say, except to shake my head and reply sadly, “I feel sorry for you.”
I wonder what Phil would think about me now?
I know why these folks keep coming to my church. It sure is not because of the dynamic preaching. They probably do not understand much of what I have to say. They come because they know they are loved. They want to spend time with me because they sense that I like them. And I am convinced that is a good thing. For most of my life, I have been conditioned to believe that my job is to preach and administrate. And that was wrong. Now, I am convinced, my job is to love people. Is not that the best kind of preaching?
I guess Phil would not like all of this. By I'll bet Jesus would smile and say, "Pass the sushi, please." And I'd rather have dinner with Jesus, than Phil.
07.25.06 (10:36 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
seochris (
reply)
post date:
07.25.06 (6:47 pm)
oh really it was fabulous to hear this. I hope u would enjoy some indian meals with me as well. What say? We have the largest unity in diversity here.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
07.25.06 (6:56 pm)
This post brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful. Thanks.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
07.26.06 (3:22 am)
dave thanks for sharing that. it helps
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
07.26.06 (1:43 pm)
I loved this post. I am a nurse and a patient that I had just given an injection to, turned to me after the injection, said thank you, and bowed. (she is Japanese). It brought tears to my eyes, I felt so honored. I was not expecting that. Also we have many African refugees in our church. I have really enjoyed getting to know them. Just to hear about their culture is so interesting. One gentleman in our Sunday School class, always comments around his birthday,that his birthdays are special now, b/c he's so glad to be alive. He always asks us to pray for 2 of his children who are still missing. I cannot imagine! Another of the refugees and her husband are in our class and ask for prayer for their 15 year old who is still in Africa and trying to come to America. I cannot imagine being these parents or the 15 yr old left behind. It has been such a blessing to have these people in our church. I am so glad that they feel comfortable in our mostly white church (except for a few mixed couples--white/black. I'm also glad these racially mixed married couples & their children feel comfortable in our church).
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.26.06 (4:47 pm)
Reply to: dashingleather
I would enjoy a meal with you, no doubt. We have a pretty strong Indian population around here. My daughter had a good friend in High School from India. She was of the Sikh religion, and my daughter attended worship with her a few time, finding it to be fascinating. As far as the meals are concerned, can we have a meal without curry?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.26.06 (4:48 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Very kind of you, my friend. As I get older, and maybe just a bit wiser, I'm believing it's more and more about love and less about surface differences.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.26.06 (4:49 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
Glad to be of assistance. And if you dine with Korean friends, skip the fish.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.26.06 (4:54 pm)
Reply to: spook102956
Sounds to me like you have the makings of an honest-to-goodness real church. We need more like that.
The deep and sincere respect that is shown by my Asian friends is truly humbling. Today that came to evening services, and I could tell even as I spoke that they were having a hard time interpreting what I was saying. I guess Philippians 4 is quite a challenge when you don't understand the language! Still they made a great effort at fellowship. I appreciate that.
Your friend who does not know the well-being of his children really touches my heart. I pray he will be blessed with reconciliation. Let me know if something develops in this situation.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
07.27.06 (1:36 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Now when we finally get to the point that we realize that our religions are surface differences too, that they're just what we believe. It's the love that's universal. I loved in the recent post about dinner with the Korean couple that you pointed out that they can't even understand most of what you're saying, but that they obviously feel the love there. You might think it's your collective faith that provides the atmosphre, but imagine if you were the kind of person Phil wanted you to be? I'll bet he thinks he has faith too.
It's you.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.27.06 (4:39 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
I agree that love is universal, transcending culture and religion. But love is not my religion. I accept the biblical understanding that Jesus Christ is God's final and complete revelation of Self, and particularly John 14:6 "...no man comes to the Father but by (Him).." I believe when Christ is properly understood and followed, that one is enabled to especially love others. The problem with Phil, I suspect, is that he does not know Christ.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
07.27.06 (8:51 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave I know you believe that Dave. It's what you believe. I'm not sure if this will read right, but... it's "JUST" what you believe. You sort of made my point there. You think you "properly" understand things, or at least that's the inference. I'm saying it's THAT that is the final hurdle to overcome for all of us: knowing we can believe whatever we need to, but we don't KNOW, and can't KNOW any more than anyone else. Why is that important? Cuz it get's in the way. Saying this for me as much as for you. I have to remind myself.
