Love Thy Neighbor: The True, Encouraging & Hilarious Tales of an American English Teacher in Southeast Asia

by Alice Crocker

“They’re mostly Muslims--they’ll hate you!” was the dire warning given to the author before she embarked upon the adventure that would change her life. Time disproved that and many other negative predictions.In this world of “East versus West” or “Christian versus Muslim” mentalities, the real-life experiences of ESL teacher Alice Crocker disprove much of what many people expect when they become full time residents in a country, culture, or even religious environment that is not their own. With endearing, earthy wit, infinite delight in her experiences--even the embarrassing ones--and most of all deep, abiding love and respect, Alice’s true stories prove that friendship knows no bounds and that being a fish out of water can be the most humbling, instructional, and meaningful experience of all.Be encouraged to fully entrust your life to God, because a joyous adventure awaits, and open your heart to people who are “foreign” as individuals, not stereotypes. Because in the scope of creation and journeying through this temporary world with all its joys and promise, struggle and uncertainty, Alice and her beloved Indonesian friends, students and colleagues prove that we are all in this together.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

Reviews

[Marti Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who needs a laugh in these crazy times, these stories may help—especially if you have spent time in Southeast Asia! Alice lived and taught English in Sumatra, Indonesia for more than two decades. Her lighthearted stories are winsome, well-told, and gently instructive.

Expat travelogues have a way of poking fun at local culture, but Alice chooses to laugh at herself instead and express only love and respect for her friends, neighbors, and local hosts. This book was first published in 2010 but was revised and re-released in 2020, along with a sequel composed of more stories like these.