[31 Days] Day 6 Teach

It’s Day 6 of the 31 Days in the Life of a TCK series! Welcome! You can find more info on the series here.


The best thing about growing up abroad is the people. 
They make other cultures come alive. 
They can drive you crazy but they also teach you so much. 

There’s a fact: Public transportation in the American South is scarce to non-existant. Coming from Germany this was quite an adjustment suddenly being dependent on walking everywhere. But even more, being showered in blessings from new American friends. 
They drove me to the mall even though they didn’t even have to go shopping.
They picked me up no matter how late it was.
They threw over their inner time tables to have coffee with me and catch up.
They made their love practical and acted on what they preached.

There’s a saying: Europeans have got the watches, but Africans have the time. 
This is quite true. 
A meeting is not only about getting things done but about seeing you. 
The person. 
The story behind the face. 

They taught me how to eat sugar cane like a pig, how to really listen to people. 

How to stay calm when your bus is delayed for five hours. 
How to cook maize pap without lumps. 
How to be so poor on the outside and yet so amazingly rich on the inside, drawing from never ending inner depths and strengths.  

They have shown me how to dance in the rain and always see the light at the end of the tunnel.

What are the most memorable things you have learned in another culture? 

Author: Katha von Dessien


4 thoughts on “[31 Days] Day 6 Teach”

  1. Yes, such a hard lesson! It takes a while to readjust your life to a different schedule, but it also has some benefits, the evenings in Spain are always nice, so full of life and music (not quiet and boring). Thanks for visiting!

  2. One of the hardest things I've had to learn (and relearn over and over) is that MY timetable isn't everyone else's timetable. I've learned to relax a little more and not get upset when a store is closed in the afternoon because it's Siesta time (in Spain). I've learned to appreciate people as individuals. Having a sense of adventure and curiosity certainly helps!

  3. That is great! I have been to Rwanda as well, East Africa in general is great.:)
    I am in Germany at the moment, finishing up my studies. I have only studied in the States, am German by passport (but African by heart :)).
    I was also a teenager when we moved to Uganda, it is an interesting and challenging time to move. I have a few friends in the London area, also missionary kids and familiar with transition processes, in case you want to connect or need help with anything. Let me know!

  4. Lovely to meet you Katha. I've made several trips to Rwanda and what you say about the African people is so true. I've learned so much from my friends there about patience and faithful living. I'm trying to figure out where you are living now after reading through your posts. Are you abroad or in the States now? As we make our way to London with one of our teenagers, your journey will be enlightening for me.

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