NEW TRIBES MISSION  |  planting tribal churches

LEARNING TO TAKE THEIR SHOES OFF

LEARNING TO TAKE THEIR SHOES OFF

Ben and Ruth learning more Indonesian culture and language from their tutor.

June 25, 2008

by David Bell

After two months of living in Indonesia, Ben and Ruth Kane are learning some language phrases that are enabling them to carry on small conversations with their neighbors. They are also learning to take their shoes off.

"It's so nice to be able to answer when someone is talking to you," the Kanes wrote. "It helps make a little sense of all the chatter going on around us."

One of the phrases the Kanes have learned is "Do you have any children?" and to this they respond, "Yes, I have two. Their names are Chloe and Gwen and their ages are 3 and 2."

Chloe and Gwen are being a big help in picking up the language. They both get very excited when they learn a new word and then repeat it throughout the whole day so no
one in the family will forget it.

During culture excursions into town or around their neighborhood the Kanes have noticed that everyone is expected to take their shoes off when entering someone's house.

"We were already kind of used to this because when we lived in Canada they also did this," the Kanes wrote. "But the thing that really got us was when we stopped by our local store. Everyone took their shoes off before they went in. We just can't picture this at the local gas station in the [USA] -- the whole front lined with all these shoes. It made us laugh a bit to think about all the possible upset American customers having to take their shoes off."

Please pray that the Kanes will learn the culture and language of the Indonesians and be prepared for the ministry God has for them.

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