Normal

It's amazing to me how quickly things can become "normal" in life. (I'm sure there is a whole conversation to be had in that.) I am no longer fazed by the traffic or the holes in the road or the heat. Being dirty and sweaty is a part of life. It's just normal now.

That's not to say that it's easy. Today, though, I was thinking about how my character and heart are changing because of being here. Take the traffic. I mean, how often have you gotten angry at the guy who cuts you off or the woman talking on her cell phone...or my personal pet peeve...people driving under the speed limit on the highway? I gotta say, I have more patience on the crazy streets here than I ever did in morning traffic on I-270 and 315. There is no road rage, because honestly, you would be raging at everyone around you every minute. Instead, you slow down, you take your time, and you give way to those around you. (That sounds like a life lesson, doesn't it?)

Everything takes longer here and is more complicated. It would be very easy to be constantly irritated. But I've learned that my plans are merely suggestions for the day. Today, I was supposed to help Pheakdey work on newsletters for Asia's Hope. She picked me up this morning so we could go to her house and work on her computer. And when we got there...no power. She said that there is some building going on in the area, and the power is needed for that. So they are frequently without power these days. It's just normal. We had to rearrange, try something else, and hope for power the next time. (By the way, could you even imagine diverting power in the US? Yep, that would go over well.)

Same thing happened to me the other night. I am so thankful to have internet here. But was surprised when I got a notice that they were going to shut it off. What I didn't realize when I got it was that they give you a limit on how much you can use it during the month. And between me and the rest of the team here, we used up my allotment in 5 days. So, I added a part to the plan that allows me unlimited access in the evenings. Last night, I was going to get on at 8 and blog and email and chat and...the power went out at 7:50. My plans were thwarted yet again.

I was definitely disappointed, and when the power goes out here, there is no telling when it will come back on. But instead of allowing myself to wallow in the disappointment, I used the time to read and journal. And I also had yet another chance to practice being thankful.

As I write this I think that in some ways, change is easier here. There are so many opportunities to make choices about what I will think or do or allow my mind and heart to dwell on. (That's another way of saying that tough stuff happens often:) And there is not much else that can distract me from facing those choices. No entertainment, no comfort food, no friends to hang out with. Just me and my heart before God. And I can either choose to wallow and be miserable or choose to allow God to continue to work in me and make me more like Him.

So, last night I decided to be thankful. And one thing I am thankful for is this cheap, hand-held, battery-operated fan that I bought at Wal-Mart before I came over here the second time. When the power goes out here, no air cirulates. And the guest house doesn't have any windows with screens. It can feel like you are in a concrete tomb. That little 2 buck fan has been constant source of joy (as in the power has gone out frequently:).

So, before Pheakdey took me home today, so brought me to another mall in the city. This is my fourth time in Cambodia, and I never knew these places existed. The whole area around the mall seemed like something out of any suburban area in the US. It really blows my mind. The dichotomy between this place and the extreme poverty all around is staggering. Most Cambodians cannot afford to shop here.


Just like in the US, you can shop at any of the four floors of stores or eat at a restaurant or sit at a coffee shop and use the wireless internet for free. There is also a KFC across the street. It's the only American fast food company here right now. There isn't even a Starbucks here yet.


Tomorrow it's back to the school all day. I hope to get more great pictures of the kids. Thanks again for all your words of encouragement and prayers. I could not do this without your support.