Two Cultures, One Mind

As I was recently reading the biography of a man born in India but who has spent the last several decades in the U.S., I came across this idea of two cultures in one mind. The author writes, "God makes an incredible investment in you when He combines two worlds into your mind. ... Being able to speak in two languages from opposite ends of the world helps you to be sympathetic, and, I believe, effective in not just hearing but listening; in responding not just to the question, but to the questioner. For this, language and shared tragedy are indispensable. You really only learn to think like the other when you learn their language and share a cultural DNA."

There's much to think about in that quote although unfortunately few Americans can speak with experience about knowing two languages and two cultures from opposite ends of the earth. Let me take this opportunity to encourage all of you high schoolers to learn a foreign language and practice it with people for whom it is their heart language.

And pray for us here in Mongolia. Language learning is a life-long process (even learning English should be). Sometimes it is frustrating when you've spent four years of your life learning a language only to go out and be stumped by something that someone said. We need dedication to the task of learning the language, ability with our tongues to speak, capable ears to hear and comprehend what is being said, and patience to stick at it when the other three are lacking. Recently, it has been exciting to me as I speak this language; for Kristie, it's been just the opposite. So pray for us as we continue to make speaking this language as fluently as the Mongolians a priority.