Un-Common Courtesies
Earlier this week we were at one of the churches in Yamaguchi working on some stuff for the upcoming English camp. The one day, the pastor’s wife said she would bring lunch along for all of us. I had been told she was a good cook, and so I was expecting something tasty, but was not expecting what she brought. What she brought was this large spread that included several dishes including sushi with several types of raw fish (something Theresa and I love). It was a delicious meal and we both walked away stuffed.
Then yesterday, we were at another missionary’s house again working on stuff for camp and one of the women from their church stopped by. In addition to the specific reason for her visit, she brought along a bag of treats for us (fruit, pastries, etc.). After both of these, I was wowed. They seemed like very significant gestures from an American standpoint. My wife asked the missionaries, “Is there something we should do to thank these women?” She replied, “Not really, just say thank you …oh, and make sure you thank them the next time you see them. The Japanese always thank someone twice. Once when they receive a gift and then again when they see the person next.”
As I thought about this, I realized that we in western culture lag far behind those in the east when it comes to everyday courtesies. One of the things that I have always appreciated about our pastor at our church at home is that \\whenever\\ you do something around the church he always makes sure to thank you, quickly and sincerely. It’s noticeable because it is so uncommon in our culture. Sure people say thank you, but it often can be somewhat flippant and obligatory.
The Japanese ways of hosting and gift giving are also very relationship oriented as they are meant to silently convey, “I value you and my relationship with you.” In this case the gestures Theresa and I received have more to do with these women being Japanese than with them being Christians.
And there’s the rub – we as Christians (especially in the west) could stand to take a lesson from these eastern cultures. Certainly the Japanese don’t always do everything from totally pure motives (although these two women did). However, what better thing for the church to embrace about eastern culture than its emphasis on generosity, hospitality, and thankfulness.
“Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-3
PS – For the next few days, we will be at Friendship English Camp, and will be incommunicado. We will be sure to post upon our return on Aug 8th.