old man's tea

Even though it was nine years ago, I still remember the very first time I saw a coffee mug full of green leaves and water.  I was shocked!  "What is that?"  My student laughed at me and said, "It's tea."  TEA!?!?!  To me, tea was some brown substance folded inside a small white filter (AKA: a tea bag), brewed hot, drunk cold. 

He offered me a little paper cup full of green leaves topped off with hot water. I tried it, and it was B.I.T.T.E.R.

Now, I love that bitter drink and serve it myself.  In fact, if you want to really "serve tea" in Taiwan there is an entire process that must be followed.  However, unlike the Japanese tea ritual, the tea ritual in Taiwan is more relaxed.  But, it does last a long time.  Brew a little, pour a little, drink a little.  Brew some more, pour some more, drink a little more.  Repeat.  This process is lovingly referred to as "old man's tea."

All over Taiwan, you can find groups of people sitting around drinking tea and socializing: at a souviener shop, in a temple, at the automechanic's, in front of their homes. 

Everytime I see a group of people sitting around drinking tea, I think: "that could be a church!"  I pray that one day it will be a group of believers sitting around discussing what God is doing in their lives as they sip their green tea at the end of the day, a Bible study group meeting to discuss the book of John, a family gathering to pray for each other and their lost neighbors. 

Oh, may it one day be true!!

In order to reach other cultures for Christ, we do not necessarily need to "change" them.  God can redeem cultural traditions in order to bring greater glory to Himself.  Isn't that cool?

This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty hosted and sponsored by Sallie at A Gracious Home.  This week the theme was The Beauty of Coffee and Tea.