What a Mothers' Day!

What an unusual day! First, I woke up at 3 a.m. because I fell out last night at 7:30! Then I emailed all you Moms out there. Pretty hum-drum so far, huh? Then I made breakfast, sent Mr. Gabriel with 2 kids off to early service, and prepared to go to a local language-speaking church to be the Mother's Day special guest! Special guest means that I sit up front, and, after the sermon, I presented the mother's with a special gift and a blessing. With the songs and preaching in the language, and the lack of Western church trappings (we removed our shoes and I covered my head out of respect), I felt more cross-cultural at church than I have for a long time! They are running 80% women so there were a lot of Moms!

That's the good news. I made 3 mistakes:

1. I was overdressed: I wore a fancy salwar kameez (see blog Women in India: East meets West-Sunday April 5, 2009) with shiny jewelry that my hubby bought me. Shoulda' been more low key. But then again, I did not want to look too plain because they may have interpreted that as an insult-they were not good enough for me to dress up...
2. I forgot to take my shoes off at first. Oops! Pastor reminded me and all was well.
3. I did not wait for the interpreter when I spoke a word of encouragement! Just not used to that delayed speaking technique. Shows how ethnocentric I am!

Even so, it went well and I was able to get personal with a few ladies where language allowed. Well, I have learned that even a jet setter like myself (LOL!) needs to be sensitive to my host culture.

Hope you had a blessed Mother's Day wherever you are!