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Stories & Blog
Is a shop keeper’s baby learning the wrong lesson?
EAST ASIA — In a small shop, Kristi, a Crossworld worker, did customary bartering with the vendor over the price of scarves. Fatigue showed in the young woman’s face, yet she remained intent on making a hefty sale to an American.
“Different color,” she said, pointing to more shelves. “You like?”
Then a baby crawled into view from behind the counter. He pulled himself up and, holding onto the shelf with one hand, began flinging scarves with the other. His mother (the vendor) scooped him up and sat him down — hard — in a corner. His little body jolted and he began to cry. She yelled at him and he stopped.
As heavy as Kristi’s heart felt at that moment, it became heavier still as she saw that manner toward children repeated in virtually every shop or restaurant she visited. Kristi learned that in that culture, the most important thing for these children to do is obey. No giggling or peek-a-boo-ing. No toys. No books. Just be quiet and still while the adults run the family business. What could change this pattern? The ability to speak English. That skill qualifies adults for better jobs, which in turn helps families get better education, nutrition and medical care. Imagine the possibilities if Jesus-followers moved in to these areas and used God’s Word to teach English!
Italicized names changes to protect identities.
“Different color,” she said, pointing to more shelves. “You like?”
Then a baby crawled into view from behind the counter. He pulled himself up and, holding onto the shelf with one hand, began flinging scarves with the other. His mother (the vendor) scooped him up and sat him down — hard — in a corner. His little body jolted and he began to cry. She yelled at him and he stopped.
As heavy as Kristi’s heart felt at that moment, it became heavier still as she saw that manner toward children repeated in virtually every shop or restaurant she visited. Kristi learned that in that culture, the most important thing for these children to do is obey. No giggling or peek-a-boo-ing. No toys. No books. Just be quiet and still while the adults run the family business. What could change this pattern? The ability to speak English. That skill qualifies adults for better jobs, which in turn helps families get better education, nutrition and medical care. Imagine the possibilities if Jesus-followers moved in to these areas and used God’s Word to teach English!
Italicized names changes to protect identities.
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