We were riding down the escalator at the semi-bougie mall by our house. Two men stepped on right after us, and I intentionally avoided eye contact with them because that’s just what you do here (still trying to get used to that!). However, one of them got our attention and said, “Hello. I really appreciate what you all are wearing. It’s honoring to our culture, and it’s very respectful.” Wow.
Eagerly cheerful American tourist (aka me): “You’re so welcome. It’s actually quite comfortable-we like dressing like this!”
“It’s just nice to see visitors who are wearing our traditional clothing when so many of our people are wearing Western clothing. Thank you.”
And then the escalator ride was done, and that was it.
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Let me tell you about the kurta.
It’s perhaps one of the most comfortable articles of clothing I’ve ever worn. Basically a long shirt (covering the butt and typically going until at least the knees), a kurta has slits on the side and usually has real fun patterns. When we arrived here in India a couple weeks ago, our hosts provided a box of used kurtas for us to try and recommended we go to some stores and pick up a couple of our own. They’re usually worn with a scarf (for top-notch modesty!) and leggings or straight pants. You heard that right–I get to wear leggings everyday this month, and it’s culturally appropriate!! Here’s some photo evidence:
I have three kurtas that I rotate through, and that’s pretty much all I wear this month. It’s fantastic.
That man’s comment yesterday evening really impacted me, and I spent our uber ride home trying to cipher through why.
Last week, my team and I had a casual conversation about how much we stick out here. We’re the minority. Sometimes people even ask to take selfies with us or ask us to hold their babies (strange, I know). We’ve been the minority for most of our race so far, so it’s not a brand new feeling. But this month we’re in a big city surrounded by Western influence. We discussed why we even try to blend into Indian culture when we already stick out like a sore thumb. We could just wear normal “American” clothing here, and honestly the locals could care less, we mused. What’s the point?
“Do it because you’ll have a cool conversation on a mall escalator that will impact one man more so than you could imagine,” I now hear God chuckling.
The point is this: We should always honor the culture and people we’re assimilating into. If me ditching my jean shorts and v-neck and donning a kurta means that I can make one person feel respected and seen and understood, then you can bet I’ll wear a kurta every. single. day.
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There are a lot of countries in this world. There are a lot of people groups. A lot of languages. A lot of cultures and subcultures. And in this day and age, we’re witnessing such a beautiful blend of these things on a global scale–how cool!
I did not, however, sign up for the World Race so that I could bring American culture to other countries and assume that the way I do things is best. No ma’am. I am not on the World Race so that I can wear my American clothing and potentially offend someone. No, we have far greater hopes and dreams than that!
So thank you, kind man on the escalator. You brought some perspective, and I bet you didn’t even know it.
Plus, my kurta has pockets. POCKETS. Enough said.
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Quick lil ministry update: I love it! BUT, for safety and privacy reasons, I can’t really talk about it. Just know that God is moving in big ways here, and his love and adoration is being showered on a bunch of kiddos. His love is overflowing.
If you do have specific questions about ministry or where I’m located here, please send me a text or DM. We’re going to be doing some cool/fun/important/healing things with many women this week, so please pray that our time is well spent and the Father’s love is well-received.
Okie-I’m outta here! LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH,
K
