Diarrhea or Baptism? Cross-cultural Sensitivity in Healthcare Missions

Published: June 22, 2012, 7:24 p.m.

b'Everyone who has been on a medical mission has some embarrassing and/or hilarious stories of cultural insensitivity or language blunders. Sometimes the events are just funny. Sometimes they can seriously compromise the intended impact of the whole mission, including our Christian witness. This session offers perspective, spiritual grounding and practical tools for building healthy relationships, avoiding, or at least recovering from many of the common mistakes in cross-cultural missions.

Our discussion will include:
\\u2022\\tFraming the problem: Why doesn\\u2019t everyone see the world my way?
\\u2022\\tA spiritual foundation: Humility \\u2013 be a Learner
\\u2022\\tCommunication: Language is more than just words. A simple, practical language/culture learning process \\u2013 even for short-term missions.
\\u2022\\tRelationships: Essential Bridges - - build them to last
\\u2022\\tGood news is not always Good News: Why context is always important. Looking for systemic roots to disease, poverty and hunger - - and how to work for lasting change.
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