It could well have been that the cultural or language differences made it difficult to make acquaintances. So many different people and so many different eating habits! Also, not everyone finds punctuality equally important or that you express your opinion freely in the group. Some are used to speaking up and keeping their backs straight. For others, this very behavior means rudeness and impertinence. So there would have been plenty of good reasons not to dare this experiment in the first place.
Fortunately, Mission 21 was brave enough and did it anyway - and the Youth Ambassador Program did anything but go wrong. For me, at least, it was a great experience. A year ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan for almost three weeks with three other European women and meet young adults from the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT). This summer in June, the return visits took place. For two weeks we were able to show guests from four continents our home countries: how we live, what we like to eat, how we celebrate church services here. As a student of theology, two verses from the Bible have accompanied me through this time, which can be used to explain the personal meaning of this program. They are both verses from Galatians:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, righteousness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against all these no law can have anything."
- Gal 5:22f. (Zurich Bible)
It was a very special experience for me that a Bible verse could become such a clear reality in such a short time. When we were together as a group, our fellowship was marked by the above attributes. Joy and love grew out of our relationships. We dealt with each other in such a way that we overlooked mistakes and also left each other in peace once in a while if someone needed that. But the thing that stands out the most in my memory is joy. How we laughed together! That was a new dimension of intercultural relationship for me. So healthy that really no law could have anything against it. This thought gets its stand in Gal 3:28:
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Zurich Bible)
Translated for our context and my intercultural learning, this means that there is neither Nigerian nor Swiss, neither Chilean nor Malaysian, and neither German nor Taiwanese. Of course, we all remain committed to our countries. National borders are not simply abolished. But in these two weeks we were all first and foremost Christians who met each other as such - always curious about what we can learn and experience from the other person. This is what I wish for all who have opportunities to think outside the box in some way. A curious heart still lets one look the farthest.
Text: Barbara Schlunegger, Youth Ambassador
We are still looking for participants for the next round of the Youth Ambassador Program. Do you want to do something meaningful and are you interested in an international exchange? Then get in touch with us: â–º E-mail
