What we ’ re learning ... from our mistakes
After 10 years in Mozambique , Bek and Scott know that stepping out and serving interculturally will lead to mistakes , misunderstandings and awkwardness ! In this article , they share some of the mistakes they have made as well as some of the lessons they have learnt from them .
Be encouraged to take risks for the sake of the Gospel !
Three Mistakes
1 . The message came that a nearby chief had died . Arriving to visit the family , I ( Scott ) was surprised to see no other mourners there .
After some time , a familiar looking man emerged from the house and walked towards me . As he approached I realised that either the deceased chief had a twin brother , or there had been a misunderstanding and this actually was the chief . “ You ’ re not dead ?!” I blurted out in surprise .
2 . We love opportunities to share Bible stories , and one day I ( Bek ) was invited to share a story with a group of girls by the Yawo leader . Wonderful ! I shared the story and some reflections . Then , the Yawo leader retold the story and drew further reflections and applications ... the only problem was , they were completely different , and sometimes in opposition , to the message I had been sharing !
3 . Arriving to teach at the girls ’ coming of age camp , I ( Bek ) walked across the yard to get the drum the women used to accompany songs and dances . Starting to play the drum I saw a concerned look on our friend ’ s face , which became gesticulations and a command to stop . It turns out Thursday afternoons are spiritually significant times , during which playing the drum is forbidden .
Three Lessons
1 . Sometimes we just need to apologise and laugh with others . Moving into new communities and building relationships requires courage and humility . Courage to take risks , be uncomfortable and make mistakes . And the humility to listen deeply and live as a learner , recognising that we don ’ t have all the answers ( because we definitely don ’ t !).
2 . Making no mistakes isn ’ t the goal . We may think that when we ’ ve been somewhere long enough we won ’ t make mistakes . But that isn ’ t the case .
We should seek to make fewer mistakes , but perfection is not the goal . Our goal is to reflect and reveal the Kingdom . And that Kingdom is one of grace , forgiveness and humility . It ’ s one of entering other people ’ s worlds , even when it ’ s hard .
3 . Our mistakes actually help us build relationships . Our mistakes give us opportunities to ask for forgiveness , to create relationships built on grace , to laugh with others , to remind ourselves and others that we ’ re all the same and we ’ re not God . So , lean into awkward and uncomfortable new things !
What might God be doing that He wants you to be part of ? Are you willing to be uncomfortable for that to happen ?
RESONATE ISSUE 39 | PAGE 14