Culture can connect people and it can also disconnect people. Understanding culture as you travel can bring a deep connection to those you are meeting on your journey.
As a long term missionary who traveled and lived in multiple cultures I saw the importance of culture in the areas I worked. It also helped me deepen my cultural experience to my home and to the home I created in the places I moved.
Faith and culture, as a Christian I know that my first culture must be the kingdom of God culture. And to be an effective missionary I needed to look at my own culture and flaws it had. Then embrace the culture in the places that I have had the privilege and blessing to live in, to not try to change them into mine but adapt to live in this place where two cultures collide and find the common ground through love.
One way I found effective in connected to different cultures were shared experiences. Things that were common to both. So I found that coffee or tea was one of those things.
It’s also one of my favorite things in the world. I enjoy my morning coffee so much and spending time journaling and reading. These are moments I have treasured around the world. Taking time daily to pray, be thankful and drink coffee.
I also enjoy going and meeting people to have coffee and experience life together. In these moments transformations have happened. I have prayed for people, with people, had deep and meaningful conversations all over coffee or tea with friends around the world. These moments meeting people have been part of their culture and mine connecting. Everyone drinks something and most do it in the morning. Although the beverages might change drinking coffee or tea has cultural experiences connected to it that can bring a deep connection.