“The problem with Americans and tea parties is that they think the tea party is about the tea.” -A fellow Americrainian

This is one cultural difference that can be counterproductive to effective ministry in Ukraine. In America, tea and coffee have begun to become somewhat of a fad during my lifetime with coffee franchises like Starbucks popping up on every corner, but in most Eastern countries tea is not a trend— it has been a vital part of the culture for as far back as these people can fathom.

Tea is the lifeblood that bonds us to each other.

The west is very much entertainment oriented. You see this in our schools, our homes and our churches. In schools, sporting events take huge priority. There are assemblies before big games, spirit weeks, and all sorts of activities going on—before the actual game even occurs. In our homes we have televisions and x-boxes and high-speed internet to keep us occupied. When looking for a church we want the most engaging preacher and the most compelling worship.

In Ukraine things are different. Schools don’t have sports teams. My Ukrainian friends may own a television, but certainly not an x-box and computers are a luxury—though becoming more and more accessible. And churches, though often hard to place, because a huge western influence in getting them started here, are often small, preaching is simple-but real, and music wise worship may be less than what we’ve come to expect, but it is no less genuine and I’ve no doubt God hears it and angels rejoice.

I’ve never been to a Ukrainian church that didn’t have tea before or after the service—if not both. I’ve never been in a Ukrainian home where tea was not offered. When I took Russian lessons, there was always tea/coffee breaks. Alina and I drink tea together everyday. At the orphanage this week it was a little girl’s birthday and we had tea and cookies to celebrate.

Tea is tradition; tea may be in response to the cold weather; tea heals all ailments.

But more than these things, tea is relationship.

And that is what we Americans often miss. When a Ukrainian offers to have tea with you, they are telling you that you are important to them. That they want to talk to you, to get to know you better, to be your friend. Don’t miss this.

I love this culture—I will not receive an invitation to go to the cinema and see the latest film; I will not receive an invitation to come over and play the latest wi game (unfortunately for me because I really want to play Beatles Rock Band); but I will get a phone call saying “Let’s have tea.” Or “let’s go for a walk.” I’ll take relationship over entertainment any day.

So the next time you get an invitation to have tea, remember—It’s not about the tea.