It’s a part of our human nature to desire to love people. It’s something we don’t always realize is there, but I have been recently reminded of this.  Being in a different culture has a myriad of challenges–some I am still learning about.  Gary Chapman wrote the book The Five Love Languages, which brought to our attention the complexities of how different people love each other.  How much more complex then is loving across cultures.  I love how Paul puts it in Philippians 1, “And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best.”   There is value in loving knowingly, with discernment.

I have learned recently to love with discernment.  Simple acts that may seem an obvious act of love to me may be perceived as without meaning, or even rude to someone of another culture.  Giving someone a ride to the market on my bike seems to me to be an act of service (one of the five love languages), a way to love someone.  But did you know that if I give an Indonesian grown male a ride on my motor bike, it can be perceived as arrogant or even promiscuous?

And so I am learning how to love, and how to love well.  But there are times when I just yearn to love unconditionally, without having to discern what is offensive and what is appropriate.  I am so grateful for some of the M-kids I have been able to develop relationships with.  I can love them all I want and they just soak it in.  Who knew, an 11 year old from the states could meet a deep, yearning need I have–the need to love.