Culture Shock

Sights and sounds, faces and food are different. Light switches are opposite (down is “on”). Even the date is written differently than in the USA (1 April instead of April 1, 2009).

Welcome to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago! The “West Indies” summons images of Robinson Crusoe and palm trees. Exotic birds and beautiful beaches. Calypso music and English with a zesty accent. Beautiful bronze and dark faces. Spicy food with curry.

Words might not mean what you first think they do. “Don’t study it” means “don’t worry about it.” “Good night” is a greeting used in the evening to say “Hello,” not “Good bye.”

Culture shock is a sense of confusion and anxiety you feel when you find yourself in an unfamiliar cultural environment. All of a sudden you’re out of your “comfort zone.”

Things are familiar but different.

Trini vehicles look the same but the driver sits on the right. On the road, cars keep to the left.

Familiar restaurants dot the roads. Names like KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut and TGI Fridays welcome the traveler. But you will find different flavors, toppings and seasonings.

There’s a Starbucks-like coffee shop called Rituals. People drink lattes and talk on iPhones. But prices are six times higher! That’s because TT dollars are six to one U.S. dollar.

Last week I was in Trinidad to teach. Once again I fell in love with the people. Just like I did five years ago. And I wondered if Jesus felt the same way when he visited earth.

“Now hold on just a minute! How is visiting Trinidad similar to Christ’s coming to earth?”

Think of it like this: Jesus left his home and the familiar surroundings of Heaven to come to our earth. Imagine how strange the languages and customs must have seemed to him!

In some ways his trip was like mine. He came to teach about our Creator God who loves us and wants a personal relationship with us--how all people can know this holy God through faith.

He also came because we broke our world. And because we ignore God and disobey him. As a result, our world is a very different place from what God meant it to be.

Instead of knowing God as a friend, our sin separates us from him. Instead of a world that welcomes and supports us, it resists and hurts us. So to survive and thrive we need God.

You can read about how humankind broke the world in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

When Jesus came, he loved us so much that he gave his life for our sins. To reconcile us to God. He wanted to demonstrate God’s amazing love for all of earth’s peoples.

What’s interesting is that Jesus gave his followers the same mission as his own: To reconcile people to God. He said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

This is the reason Christians tell others about Jesus. It’s not because they feel superior. It’s because they share his love. They want others to know the God who loves them.

If a Christian starts to talk with you about faith, listen a while. Ask about the difference Christ has made in their life. Imagine what your life would be like if you had real peace and joy.

So when you leave home and meet others who are different, remember what Jesus Christ did for us. If they’re from another country and speak a different language, welcome them.

If you’re a Christ follower, step out of your comfort zone and tell others of God’s great love. Tell them how they can find peace with God through Jesus Christ.

What’s amazing is that when you meet others in a strange culture, being a Christian breaks down barriers. You’re family. And instead of culture shock you find a common bond of love.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!