The more things change...

Just past eight months here and the paradoxes (or maybe paradoxi; or paradoxen...?) never end.  What I mean is that the more used to this new culture I get, the more comfortable I feel trying new things and in doing so I again realize how far this life really is from everything I once knew to be "home".  To me that is a good thing, by the way (or BTW for the younger generation).  Following are just a couple of examples of how seemingly uncomfortable things turned out for the best.

First, I went back to my favorite "restaurant" yesterday (see post titled "Empty" if you want to know more about my favorite restaurant).  When he didn't have my usual, he offered me the house special.  I politely accepted and waited for it to be delivered.  My bowl of "soup" arrived shortly after and he proceeded to add some extra toppings on it, which I again accepted without protest.  Once he had placed the finishing touches on it, I began to dig in.  The noodles were fine.  I didn't hesitate at all either with the herbs and vegetables.  In fact, probably about 80% of the soup went down the hatch without any hesitation at all.  It was the other 20% or so that presented the problem.  I was sure that some of the meat products that were in the soup were only there for flavor and not intended to be eaten.  One piece looked like a wad of silly putty.  Another looked like a bone, until I poked at it and it was squishy.  I covertly looked at the man sitting at the other table eating the same dish and I didn't see him leaving anything in the bowl.  That is when, again not to offend as I am a people pleaser, I decided to consume the whole thing...mystery meat and all.  Most pieces went down without chewing the obligatory 20 times.  In fact they went down whole.  It was tasty, though and the smile on the guy's face was worth it.  Don't know why I can't just stick with PB&J.  I am glad that I can't though because while he was still smiling, I was able to give him the book "50 Reasons Why Christ Came to Die" by John Piper...in his native tongue.  He was pleased to receive it and I will be pleased to follow up with him many more times.

The other example comes with language barriers. For the most part, I can get by with English.  Almost anything we need can be purchased from someone who knows enough english to make the transaction.  However, I am in Cambodia and I want to learn their language.  However, since I am far from fluent in Khmer, I have to stick to English.  I am constantly in awe of the many Cambodians I come in contact with who can make me feel very comfortable with the level of English they speak.  But even though their English is lightyears beyond my Khmer, it still lacks many key components which cause it to make sense. One great example of how all of the right words might be placed in a certain text, the arrangement leaves you wondering: WHAT?  This is demonstrated in the sign above.  Another came in the form of a business card.  The well meaning business owner was trying to promote his computer servicing business by stating that he was the "One stop shop for all of you computer needs".  All of the right words were there but the end product was less than desirable.  It read: "One of your stop shops for all of you computer needs".
The cool thing about this is is that as a result of a different translation miscommunication (or miscommunilation), I am now meeting with a local businessman weekly to help him learn English while also introducing him to the Gospel.   God works in such cool and amazing ways.  It is so fun to be caught up in them.  I will keep you posted on both of them.