Living together is a challenge, especially when there are differences in language and culture. The place we are staying is called a "seminary," but it's actually a hostel for Christian students in Prague. Some study theology, but others study subjects like medicine and humanities. All are professed Christians, and they worship together several times a week. In the summer, there are many vacant rooms. We and the mission teams are housed here at the invitation of the Methodist church, which owns and maintains the property.
Faith does not exempt anyone from egocentrism, pettiness, self-importance, or bad temper. It does not automatically enable harmonious life in community. Some of the "seminarians" don't want us around, finding our presence an irritant. This comes out around such issues as space in the communal refrigerator and use of the toaster.
Signs informing us of community norms have popped up like mushroom.
The doors here are difficult to close and open; Michelle hears complaints when we slam doors in early morning. We, on the other hand, are annoyed when students are noisy, and we are trying to sleep.
A girl of perhaps twenty knocked on my door at 8:00 AM Sunday to complain that a single spoon, coated with yogurt, was left in the sink.
My response did not reflect the fruits of the spirit, among which are gentleness and self control "This was worth knocking on my door about at this hour?! Have you any idea how often I wash the stuff you and your friends leave in the sink."
"No understand," she said. "I don't speak English."Her English had seemed quite fluent up until then.
I could not deny the offending spoon had been mine, and so I apologized. My tone, however, suggested obscenity.
My sister in Christ backed away. The sign she posted reflects some knowledge of English.
"I will not be talked down to by a sanctimonious undergraduate," I told Joe. "I'm not pledging some Christian sorority."
Joe reminded me that 'undergraduate' is not a cuss word.
God forgive us all.
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