The mobilizing power of food

It’s interesting how food and cross-cultural experiences around food have formed a major part of my introduction to missions:

1. Early on, in my initial low-key work with a mission agency, I was asked to take a visiting European guest out for a Saturday. We spent most of the day together, and I was intrigued by the difference in his thinking and opinions – and also in how he ate all of his food – including the toast – with a knife and fork.
2. While we were dating, my wife and I went once a week to a Chinese restaurant. I know, it’s American Chinese – but I’ve been amazed at the number of people I’ve run into from time to time who still, even in this day and age, haven’t eaten Chinese.
3. Working with another mission agency later on, my wife and I went to attend a small Saturday “potluck” style gathering. I forget now precisely what the holiday was (maybe not even a holiday) but I do remember us both being exposed to a number of “different” foods brought (because they reflected international experiences that others had gone through, which we to that point had not).
4. Going out to lunch with a visiting friend at an Indian restaurant – first time I’d been to one – and experiencing lamb kebabs.
5. In every trip overseas I’ve taken, the standout experiences that are always memorable to me are foods. For example, the Thai egg dish that incorporated noodles and peanuts. My first fish-head soup in the Philippines (the initial thought was unappetizing to say the least–but when I encountered it, and tried it, I loved it). Foods in China that have been incredible (to this day I love authentic Chinese most of all). The delightful culinary experience that is Penang, Malaysia (char kuay teow, curry puffs, spring rolls, bubur ayam…!).
6. Here in America, missing international foods – “real” or “right” versions. Finding the delightful treat of Indian and Singaporean restaurants here in Dallas. Bringing home a set of curry puffs and having your daughter burst out in tears because of the delightful yet painful desire of memory.
7. Graduating to the whole idea of making Indian, Chinese and other dishes ourselves – and getting it right.

Here’s the thought in all this: the easiest way to introduce people to the idea of another culture is to take them to an authentic cultural food experience. And one of the easiest ways to discover ethnicities in your city is to start hunting out ethnic foods.