Europe Then and Now

In 1993 I had the priviledge of staying in Belguim for three months with my family. Since I was in a School, I got know the european culture quite well form the ''inside'. Europe has and always will have a very rich cultural heritage, something anybody would be proud of. What I have found in 1993 was that this pride can easily go over in arrogance. Many a time even as a boy of but thirteen years of age, I experienced how europeans tend to think they know best and that the world should emulate them. Especially when it came to South Africa's sad history of apartheid especially the Dutch were quick to point fingers and "show the way". Most interestingly theEurope I encounterd this time round was way different. We met with five quite well known authorities on the emerging church and misional thinking here in the Netherlands. Each one of them had a humbleness and acknowledged form the start of their talks that they can learn as much and even more from us than we can from them. I found this moving. Indeed it is true and africans should realise this. We in Africa have much to offer the world. Though Europe's intellectual contribution is a tough act to follow our complex contexts gave many of us a wisdom beyond mere book knowledge wich can help others much. When it comes to missional thinking living alongside such a vast array of cultures other than your own gave us no choice but to engage with cross cultural issues, issues countries like the Netherlands are increasingly confronted with. For the first time I am considering becoming a missonary to...Europe:-). Who would have thought this possible ten years ago?