In supermarkets, we may meet people from other cultures. My husband stood by the laundry products, talking to an Asian couple. We surmised these young people were University undergraduates. They amazed us when we learned that the husband was an Orthopaedic surgeon, while his wife was an Obstetrician-gynaecologist. They had come to Adelaide for post-graduate experience.

We questioned them: How long have you been here? Do you like our country? Can you get Asian food? My husband sensitively enquired, 'What is your religion? To which the wife responded,' We have no religion, for we have lived under Communism.' Min earnestly asked, 'what is yours? 'When we told her we were Christians, she gasped with delight, for 'I have always wanted to know about Christianity.' 'Please tell me.' All this - in our provisioning. God was at work.

We visited each other's homes, talking together, giving them a bible in their own language, which they treasured. Questions and explanations continued over many nights, until Min shyly confided her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour and Friend. Her husband required longer to affirm his faith.

Once, Min brought wine. We do not drink alcoholic wine, but we thanked them for their kind gift. Subsequently, they brought orange juice, because Min realised,' I agree with you in refraining from alcohol, and I admire you.' We had not discussed abstinence. God had given Min discernment; so we informed her of palatable non-alcoholic wines.

We were sad when their hospital research took them interstate. However, we kept in touch, enjoying their three year old Oliver answering the phone. Min had taken him to the ethnic Sunday school to learn more of Jesus, supplementing her teaching of this precious child. They used the JESUS video with medical colleagues.
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Once, as I completed my provisioning, I visited shoppers enjoying a cup of coffee, and a glance at the morning news. While Harrold talked to a striking couple, he beckoned me to join them. After warmly exchanging greetings, I asked, 'What is your homeland?' 'A Middle East country,' they replied. 'We have no Australian friends, and we need help with learning the English language,' she volunteered.

In due course, we visited their house, conversing in English, hearing about their home country, and explaining about Australia, sampling Middle East dainties, and my Anzac biscuits, for which the beautiful wife requested my recipe.

F and S readily accepted the JESUS video, agreeing for us to freely share our faith and agreeing with our praying with them. They always asked Harrold to say 'grace' at meals. We invited one of their sons to join our grandsons at ten -pin bowling. While the game was new to him, we all laughed and applauded when the lady's first ball knocked down the ten pins. A culture barrier crumbled.

We invited these friends to visit the Franklin Graham crusade, which they readily accepted. We have lived in your state for a year; you are our friends; and we wish to attend. It was their first Christian event.

Loving people builds cross-cultural-relationships; spending time, showing interest in their activities, and especially their families. Food! Well, sometimes, unusual foods may not seem enjoyable. Jellyfish certainly did not appeal to us.

I well remember a ditty from Ada Lum, Staff worker for Inter-Varsity Fellowship in Singapore. 'Where He leads me, I will follow; what He feeds me I shall swallow.
LORD, I'll take it in, if you keep it in.

Enquire when inviting guests, 'Is there any food you'd rather not? Several times I altered my menu: Buddhist friends refrain from beef, while Muslims from pork.
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You may wonder how friendships may begin from weeding a garden. While my husband gathered weeds in his rose garden, a couple interrupted their daily walk, pausing to chat. As Slavic Jews, they had left their native land, with only a suit case of clothing. My husband invited them to stay for coffee; they requested tea.

The husband, a physicist was fluent in /English, while his shy, reticent Medical wife hesitated. She conversed nervously, lest she misunderstood the speaker. Because Australian women spoke quickly, I spoke slowly and deliberately, enabling us to enjoy a good conversation. She hugged me as a friend at the conclusion of our visit, her cheeks wet with tears. We will meet again, for their home is nearby.

Prayer, love, friendship, patience with the language, advising in business matters, and sharing hospitality build cross-cultural relationships. A Spirit-filled life will present a sensitive, timely explanation of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
While that may come quickly, it mostly needs time.

Crossing cross-cultural barriers is immensely enriching, interesting and eternally rewarding.

'Do not be shy to entertain strangers, because some have entertained angels unawares'

GWENDA