In the USA we never eat at Subway because there are so many better healthy choices.  In India we only eat at Subway (3 times this year) because it is the best healthy choice.  It’s all relative.

In the USA we would never use a dirty bathroom that only had a hole in the middle of the floor and a bucket of water, in India we gladly use it because the next one may be a bush in a field.  Its all relative.  (Nancy doesn’t care if it is an Indian hole or a western seat as long as there is a door with a lock – and no lizards or snakes come up the hole in the floor.)

We never drink bottled water in the USA – the idea sounds ridiculous water is free!  Here we drink only bottled water and never anything else and we’re very glad for it.  It’s all relative.

White faces are everywhere at home so we never pay attention to skin color, but here we never see a white face in 4 weeks.  And if we do we stare!  It’s all relative.

We take our freedom for granted in the USA, here every small liberty is appreciated and not taken for granted.  It’s all relative.

In the USA we’d be in shock if the car we were riding in got within a foot of a car, person or animal.  Here we all but touch each one dozens of times a day!  It’s all relative.

In the USA we think something is dirty if there is a smudge of dirt on it.  Here it can be covered in layers of dirt but if it doesn’t smell too much it is considered clean.  It’s all relative.

At home its rare if a stranger makes eye contact and smiles.  Here it’s rare if they don’t!  It’s all relative.

In the USA everyone is rushing everywhere to beat everyone else, here people will slow down and let others go first.  It’s all relative.

In USA churches the music is too loud if you can’t talk.  In Indian churches even if you put your mouth to another’s ear and yell you can’t be heard – and then they turn it a bit louder!  It’s all relative.

Seeing Jesus’ name somewhere in public is so common it’s hardly noticed in the USA.  In India seeing Jesus’ name in public is rare and brings great excitement and joy.  It’s all relative.

In the USA I never eat cold cereal but in India I have it every morning.  It’s the only non-spicy carb available.

RELATIVE TERMS IN INDIA:  clean, quiet, fresh, quick, non-spicy, on time, short drive, one minute, safe driving

 

Matthew 6:31-34  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.