Being White in a Country of Brown...

November 11, 2009
The kids think that any white person is my friend. No really, they do. We can be walking down the street, and we might see a white person or a few walking together, and they immediately say, “Sister! Your friend!” It’s rather humorous in a way... I’ve tried explaining to them that just because we’re white doesn’t even mean we’re from the same country, but that’s a little hard for them to grasp! So, I’ve taken to being quite bold wherever I am, and if I see a white person, I walk right up to them and ask them where they’re from. Crazy, right?!

This has led into some cool conversations with complete strangers who are also my brothers and sisters! To start, a number of people have floated through the church, from Ireland, Sweden, Australia, etc on short term missions work! It’s always fun to see another white face in church! Currently, at Krishna’s brother’s hostel there’s a guy from Sweden helping out. I don’t remember how long he’s here for, but he’s been here about a month, and I think he’s staying longer! It’s funny cause if I see him in the street, he’s always got 4-5 kids in tow, and I’ve got about the same! The kids all know each other, so they immediately start talking as fast as they can to each other in Nepali, and we just laugh and ask each other how life is. It’s pretty great! We’re having some of the same struggles with math weakness at home, so I told him I’d bring him a set of the multiplication cards I made for his kids. He looked relieved and said that’d be amazing (it’s really the little thing that make our days here!)!

Then, some of the girls and I were walking down the street, and there was a group of 3 white (TALL) guys walking towards us, so the girls obviously assumed we were best friends! Laughing, I said I’d never seen them in my life, but if they wanted, I’d go talk to them. To their great concern, I walked up to the guys and said “Hi! Where are you from?!” Now, let me set your minds at ease; one had on a cross necklace, another a Christian t-shirt, and the third just looked like a nice honest guy! I figured I was safe :). Besides, I had 5 girls to back me up, all who’ve studied Karate in school! So, I found out they’re from Germany and Australia! I’m convinced that Australia knows how to do missions and send people out better than anyone else. I don’t know what they’re doing there, but they’ve got it right! I’ve met 4 totally unrelated people/groups from Australia, which I think is way cool!

Anyway, we talked for a bit about why we’re here/what we’re doing, and they live right down the road as well. We invited them to church, but they couldn’t come this week... maybe next week! They’re doing more coffee shop evangelism, I think, which is very different from my “field,” though we have the same goal in mind! Anyway, the Germans were excited to meet an American German, and they totally could say my name perfectly, first try. I think I’m moving to Germany next!

All this to say, knowing there are other young people around me, working the fields and harvesting a crop is more encouraging than you could ever imagine! We’re all in this together, and fortunately, God’s given us a common middle language (I’m spoiled, it’s English!)! That, and America needs to figure out what Australia’s doing right, because they’re sending those kids out right and left! Pretty phenomenal! So just know, when I see a white person on the street, I just smile to myself, for I have yet to meet a white person in this area (not the touristy areas) who’s not here to proclaim the name of Jesus! And that makes my heart very glad!