February 2019 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

How Do You Truly Immerse Yourself in a Culture?

It's one thing to live in a culture, but how do you truly immerse yourself in one? It's a question as old as the Church.

Feb 26 2019

Cultural immersion is a term that’s thrown around a lot in the world of missions. Missionaries are told they need to “integrate” — engage in the local daily life and try to understand the local people. Of course, this is easier said than done. How do you immerse yourself in a culture while also taking time to learn the language, find schooling for your kids and help your family adjust to life overseas? Fortunately, you’re not the first to face this dilemma. Here are some words of wisdom from those who have done it before: Learn the Language The importance…

Jian was completely non-religious — until it came to appeasing his ancestors. What would it take to break their hold over him?

Feb 19 2019

Having kids creates all kinds of fears: careless babysitters, cleaning supplies, everything a child could possibly put in her mouth. But Jian’s fear was far more sinister. Jian* was worried about relatives — his dead relatives. Whatever their personalities in life, Jian’s ancestors were fearsome in death. They had to be placated every April or they would wreak havoc. Or so Jian was taught. And if they wanted to hurt Jian, what better way than to hurt his daughter? As an atheist, Jian knew he shouldn’t be afraid of ghosts. Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder, what if it was…

You don't have to go to the Middle East for a taste of delicious Pakistani cuisine! Try one missionary family's favorite recipe for chicken karahi.

Feb 15 2019

Chicken karahi became a favorite Pakistani dish with our family because we often ate it while visiting our sons at their boarding school. There was this wonderful hole-in-the-wall restaurant there which made the very best chicken karahi. You got to choose your chicken, and then they got started preparing it! It is generally eaten with roti — a type of flatbread — and plain yogurt, in case the spices were too hot. Here’s how to make Chicken Karahi! See full ingredients list below. Ingredients: 12 pieces of chicken 2½ tbsp cooking oil 1 tsp salt 1 bulb garlic, minced or…

Archive - February 2019

How Do You Truly Immerse Yourself in a Culture?

The Day Evil Spirits Stopped Being Scary

TEAM Eats: Recipe for Chicken Karahi