Culture Adjustment

- Ghent, Belgium
- July 11

As good as Saturday was, Sunday was difficult. It started well, but as the day wore on, I struggled. I think it was really the first time that I had time to stop and “think” about what life is like here. I understood better why some folks describe Europe as being the dark continent.

After breakfast, we decided to spend the day in Ghent (church was in the evening). We got on the bus and connected with the tram and ended up near the center of town. We easily found our way to a 12th century castle. The boys were excited to go to “guy” place since we spent Saturday at “girl” places (romantic Italian restaurant, lace shop, and chocolate shop). It was indeed very interesting with all kinds of preserved swords, knives, guns, and suits of armor. We went up into the castle through tight spiral staircases and ended up on the lookout areas. However, the realization that this was indeed a castle from the dark ages became manifest when we visited the torture chamber.

There in this castle was a room full of “tools” used in torturing people. It was both fascinating and revolting at the same time. I had an overwhelming sense of darkness come over that did not resolve for the rest of the day. It definitely impacted me in a significant way. It really impacted all of us as we all became a bit more edgy and irritable.

As the day wore on, I began to look around at the folks around me. I realized that many folks walk around with a blank stare. Very few folks make eye contact. Voices are low. There is very little animation in their voices or actions. People are very reserved. Then I began to notice that there were not very many families out and about, just adults.

Although it was a bit of a bummer, I am glad that I had a “bad” day. It helped me appreciate the need for missionaries here. It is easy to understand why “third-world” countries “need” missionaries when poverty and need is so obvious. It is harder to understand the need initially when a country is “modern”.

Lord, help us to understand more fully that despite modern advances countries are dark without the presence of Your Son.

Comments

[TulipGirl]

I spent some time with some missionary women from Western Europe in February, and it was really amazing to hear in details and personal stories of the great spiritual need in W. Europe.