Farmer collecting Coca leaves in the Peruvian Jungle - Photo: CanvaEvery missionary who has gone to work in another country knows that his or her greatest challenge is to enter as well as possible into the new culture. The first step is to learn the language of the people which is the gateway into understanding and adapting to new thought patterns, habits, practices and a different way of life.
In the Andes of Peru, although most people understood and could speech Spanish, they were naturally more comfortable in their own Quechua language. It was therefore important to use Quechua in religious celebrations and formation courses.
The coca leaf was chewed for centuries by the Incas to give endurance and so was a valuable symbol in ceremonies in our programmes to represent the force that we receive from our Saviour. When St Paul arrived in Athens, he told the Council who had assembled to hear him that he had first strolled around the city and had discovered an altar inscribed ''To an Unknown God.'' Now I have a point of contact he thought and told the Athenians that it was this God that he had come to tell them about.
As we live and work in our culture today, may we too discover signs of God's presence.''Sunrise and sunset, mountains and valleys, kauri and pine, sparrow and tui, Maori, Pakeha and people of all races: give to our God your thanks and praise.''
Don Hornsey lives and works in Aotearoa/New Zealand
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