Far more work for you than I in this post. A friend recently said they were nearly full-on confirmed to an overseas calling of service. They're musicians and have had a bit of interaction w. the folks they're likely going to serve for a year or more.
Cross-cultural missions has been my life experience in multiple places with an extremely broad palate of ethnic, racial and cultural tribes and sub-tribes. Put bluntly, I too am called and have in only the most rare of situations been anything but comfortable with people regardless. Perhaps that's an issue for some and I understand that.
Anyway, here's what I thought important to accent on the topic in the most core, basic sense:
On a deep teaching scale I'd say really study, meditate on the entirety of Jesus' words in John chap. 15...
-and the following from Paul for doing ministry in music, especially considering a different nation, tribe/s, culture, even church culture/s.
Colossians 3.12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Slowly thinking, praying through those two Bible texts and returning to them when the currents pull and waves stack high have been super anchors to me in attitude, behavior and serving others. Oh I blew and blow it plenty but I find these the surest foundations and sadly often not laid or later considered in missions of all sorts local and world-wide.
As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn
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