Culture and one of my greatest follies

So as you know, I took a YWAM DTS through YWAM Urban Ministries Winnipeg.

During that time I got to learn so very much about culture, how to be in another culture, how to love other cultures, pretty much it was a great learning time for me regarding many things, but definitely one of them being culture.

This past week in one of my classes, we were able to spend a considerable time talking about culture in nursing.

All I can say is WOW! I had a huge wake up call! Like, did you know that when someone from Chinese culture, when they are ill, don't like to drink cold drinks?

Before I left for Winnipeg, I had a patient who was chinese. He consistently refused cold drinks and he refused to eat any food, relying instead on tube feeds to get his sustinance .

At the time, I worried so much about him, where was he going to go after his rehab was over? Was he going to starve to death? GUH! And I pretty much loved him so much! He was a joy most of the time!

I now know he hated "Canadian" food, he never wanted cold water, and I was being completely insensitive towards his culture.  I am glad that my life continues and I can keep growing and learning each day.

Anyways, what I have been growing to realize more and more, is how sensitive I need to be to other people. Even people who are of the same ancestry as myself, there is always difference.

I just wanted to share with you a little of how I am growing and changing.