One of the coolest things about living in a culture so radically different from my own is learning to grow from the points where the way I'm used to living comes up hard against the way of life here.
Take possessions, for example. We learn from the time we're in kindergarten to share with others, but how often do we still hold tightly on to those things that are "ours"? I'm seeing here that people don't hold so tightly, or at least they pretend not to. The other day, I went on a boat with some friends to celebrate Easter, and there was an older guy that was piloting the boat for us. We had some snacks with us, and I noticed he had brought some of the local staple with him, and so I told him to enjoy his food. The first words out of his mouth were what translates to "help yourself". He clearly only had enough food for himself, but he was still willing to share.
Similarly, any time you go to eat with a friend, one will often pay the whole bill for the other. There's no question or worry about being paid back. People are willing to give and trust that at some point, they will be paid for in return. Or if you're on the street, people will insist you join them for a cup of tea, their treat. The word "invite" connotes they'll pay; it's not even possible in this language to say you're inviting someone without meaning that you'll pay for them.
How often am I willing to give of "my" time, "my" money, "my" food to friends, to family, to God? Am I willing to hold my hands open and trust that as I give, I will be given in return? I know that I'm not always willing, but I think I'm learning how to be, thanks to these people and this place.