Poipet is a city on the border of Thailand and Cambodia. Because of its proximity to Bangkok, tens of thousands of people have moved to this town for the hope of jobs in Thailand. This area has significant issues of human trafficking, abandonment of children, and other social problems; yet, this is one of Cambodia’s…
Three years ago I met Kurt Dillinger who ran a ministry called “Life International“. There are more than two thousand centers in America to help council women who have an unplanned pregnancy choose life; however, there are few overseas. Most of the 42 million abortions performed annually in the world are done in Asia, yet…
A few days ago I went to prison! I went on a specific mission and was given full access to the prison from the government and the warden. I was going to bust out some captives, and everyone knew it!
Today I had a special meeting. The meeting was at the request of the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia. I first met the Deputy PM in June at the dedication of our new children’s center.
Last week I was visiting a Christian recording studio looking for Cambodian traditional music. They were more than happy to provide me with the latest traditional worship music. During my conversation with the Cambodian studio operator I mentioned to him that I enjoy Cambodian traditional music, but I hardly ever hear it because all the young musicians apparently like to sing Australian “Hillsong” worship music and seem to have little interest in Cambodian culture.
For a missionary to develop an understanding of Cambodian forms and meanings is essential in order to be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. This is done through systematic study of the history, culture and worldview of a nation, but cannot be purely academic.
Even though a person may understand the words you are using, they are substituting the meaning of those words in relation to their own cultural understanding. To be an effective communicator, you have to know and understand both your own culture and receptor culture so that you can assure the message is being communicated effectively.
Someone said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The dress and appearance of a person automatically triggers an idea about what that person is going to say.
Even things like the meanings behind colors have a significant effect on communication and what is understood. This is another issue which cross-cultural communicators must consider.