Quite regularly I am in discussions about how to help people become effective missionaries. One statement that I have heard repeatedly is that it takes the average American about two years to become really effective in a cross-cultural environment.

Saying that, I need to clarify that we are talking about people who grow up in a relatively mono-cultural environment. And I also need to clarify that “cross cultural” doesn’t mean Frankfurt, Germany. My context for “cross cultural” is rural Africa or rural Asia. This requires adjustments to language, economic level, living quarters, even access to communications, water, and foods. For example, if you grew up on America, chances are you don’t know how to cook from scratch. How long would that take you? (Scratch means that you buy your vegetables at a farmers market, if there is one. You sift the bugs out of your flour, if you can get flour. You make your own syrup, if you need it.)

Bible translation isn’t easy. But it is worth the effort.

Sometimes you find an excellent bit of advice in a place you aren’t looking. I do look at Patrick Lencioni, but not on the topic of suffering.

I’d like to quote a bit from his recent newsletter. (Take this as a free advert — he is worth reading.)

When people fear suffering more than they should, they ironically experience unnecessary anguish and stress. Beyond that, some would say that worrying actually increases the likelihood that… (more…)