When we were going through our orientation before we went to the Philippines the head of our mission was leading us through why it was important to understand the culture of our host country. As he was teaching one of the other candidates seemed to be somewhat agitated with him. Finally he said, "Why do I need to know this, all I want to do is love the people." The leader asked him how he was going to do that. In some cultures what we consider a loving action in our culture is considered a sexual advance in others, is that love? Our leader carefully told us that in order that our actions would not be misunderstood we had better understand the culture of the people we were going to love. He was not down playing that we should love these people but that we need to love them in an appropriate manner.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7. This kind of love is not bound by culture.
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