We were simply having dinner at a fast food restaurant before turning in for the evening. All of us exhausted from a week-long in-person working conference as a fully integrated cross-cultural communications team for Avant Ministries. Other than different languages being spoken (and combined; think “Spanglish”) and different skin colors, the outside observer couldn’t tell we were normally remote workers from Kansas City, MO, Kaufman, TX, Puebla, MX, and Guatemala. On track for being a truly “third culture” team* (see definition below). At least in the eyes of the woman watching us from her table across the room.
She was obviously staring at us while she ate and chatted with her husband. But I couldn’t tell if she was just curious, or worried about something. When they were finished with their meal, she stood up and walked toward our table, almost startling those in my team with their backs to her. She asked, “I can’t help but wonder if you all are family or friends. You all are so sweet and you can tell you love each other.”
I could see it in her eyes. She was deeply touched by our interactions as we ate together and laughed about the fun we’d had that day (having just returned from a Royals baseball game to finish our work-week with a little fun). My mind immediately went to John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
We truly do love each other. While we haven’t been an official team much more than a year, we’ve learned to work together and adjust to the customs and culture of the countries we “represent” (Bolivia, USA, Mexico, Guatemala and some TCKs* as well). At the same time adjusting to the limitations of remote working (video meetings aren’t the best for developing relationships). We navigate through things like working schedules and conflict resolution styles of different cultures, expectations, times zones, and more.
Please pray for us as we go back to our “normal” remote interactions and strive to maintain meaningful relationships as we work together to help our missions organization share the Gospel around the world.
* The term third culture normally refers to missionary kids who have spent a significant portion of their formative years in a culture different from their parents’, resulting in a unique and hybrid cultural identity. TCKs (Third Culture Kids) are often seen as adaptable, culturally aware, and have a global perspective. We apply this term to our group because of our unique working environment and God’s grace upon our team to adapt and truly love each other as we accomplish the communication goals for our global missions agency.
