Our orientation of the Philippines on Thursday was helpful. Learning about the dos and donts , body language and the history and culture of a nation is very important. Lots of the things already been said is something I am familiar with growing up in Asia. It can be very easy for outsiders to judge a culture because it is different. There may have been times when I wouldn't do exactly as what the culture says however I am keen to learn and observe and make the most of it. I relish the challenges and joys of adjusting and living in a different place. The humidity, noise, pollution, the food of a place as well as various beliefs and customs is something that can be offputting to a newcommer.
It is a good reminder to me that the long term missionaries here in the Philippines have had to also learn all the norms of the Filipino way of doing things. This might take a very long time and something that workers need to perseve with as a way of building relationships with the locals.
Something for me to keep on remembering as it is so easy to complain about a place without getting to know the culture and what lies beneth it.
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