A friend excitedly told me the other day of how he was able to share openly about Jesus at a meeting of high government officials. After sharing his faith with them, the highest ranked amongst them said "I have only one thing to say.. The poor people all give gifts to the Wat (Buddhist temple). The Christians give to the poor." Then, they all laughed.
My friend was delighted that we are being a great witness of Jesus' love for people, making other religions look foolish. I was a little more skeptical. My limited knowledge of government officials suggests that it is we who they consider fools for spending ourselves on the poor. Steve's thought that perhaps the official was exposing the irony of Christian giving ending up in the Wat.
But the question remains.. why did they laugh? I decided to take this question to the road and ask my Khmer friends. Here are their thoughts on why the officials laughed...
* They were happy.
* They were surprised by what the top official said.
* They didn't understand what the top official said.
* It shows how people can hold onto two religions at once.
* It shows that the Christians are "buying the hearts" of the poor.
* They laughed to encourage the top official (jokes are funnier when told by people of high rank).
One friend helpfully suggested that the only way to know what the official meant by what he said is to ask him directly... and then he probably wouldn't tell you the truth anyhow.
Hmm. How little we know in this culture and how easily our efforts to serve can be misunderstood.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Some more thoughts...
My friend Pip (see somesaypip.blogspot.com for a great read) has also been thinking a lot about economic development and environmental impact. And she has some good things to share...
Pip notes that trade has many benefits to all nations and within the right structures it can be a powerful tool for development and the ending of poverty. She highlights that trade is not the only cause of environmental degradation and that developing nations often cause major environmental damage due to ignorance or lack of choice. The key is cooperation, accountability and information sharing between countries (pity they have the same problem as me… always misplacing them keys).
It seems that Pip was concerned that my personal response to the issue was over-simplistic. Yes, it was. I meant it as a thought provoker rather than a comprehensive response to the ecological / economic debate. No, I am not for protectionism or economic isolation. I am for taking the issue personally and assessing the environmental impact of my consumption, not assuming that I am entitled to my high standard of living just because “I’m worth it” or “I earned it”. I like to think of it more along the lines of “I am blessed to be a blessing”.
In Cambodia, an estimated 70-80% of the population work in agriculture and yet the nation still imports rice, fruit and veges from neighbouring countries. Within this context, I will continue to swap my Weetbix for locally-grown organic brown rice. It’s just a much better choice all round – even if it is only a small one.
I like Pip’s personal response as a model and example to us all… because she lives it.
“I seek to be empowered to make these issues personal through things such as periodically checking consumption patterns, sharing resources with the poor, living more simply in order to be free from greed, engaging in advocacy as well as enjoying amazing produce from local and international markets.”
Within advocacy, I know she would include prayer… Thanks, mate.
Pip notes that trade has many benefits to all nations and within the right structures it can be a powerful tool for development and the ending of poverty. She highlights that trade is not the only cause of environmental degradation and that developing nations often cause major environmental damage due to ignorance or lack of choice. The key is cooperation, accountability and information sharing between countries (pity they have the same problem as me… always misplacing them keys).
It seems that Pip was concerned that my personal response to the issue was over-simplistic. Yes, it was. I meant it as a thought provoker rather than a comprehensive response to the ecological / economic debate. No, I am not for protectionism or economic isolation. I am for taking the issue personally and assessing the environmental impact of my consumption, not assuming that I am entitled to my high standard of living just because “I’m worth it” or “I earned it”. I like to think of it more along the lines of “I am blessed to be a blessing”.
In Cambodia, an estimated 70-80% of the population work in agriculture and yet the nation still imports rice, fruit and veges from neighbouring countries. Within this context, I will continue to swap my Weetbix for locally-grown organic brown rice. It’s just a much better choice all round – even if it is only a small one.
I like Pip’s personal response as a model and example to us all… because she lives it.
“I seek to be empowered to make these issues personal through things such as periodically checking consumption patterns, sharing resources with the poor, living more simply in order to be free from greed, engaging in advocacy as well as enjoying amazing produce from local and international markets.”
Within advocacy, I know she would include prayer… Thanks, mate.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Consuming our World
“Greed is good”, claimed my first year macro-economics lecturer. Every dollar spent on anything from motor cars to manicures multiplies through the economy resulting in improved quality of life for everyone. Sounds great, but is it sustainable?
The new economics foundation, an independent “think and do” tank in the UK, recently released a report, China-dependence, stating..
"From today, Saturday 6 October, the world as a whole goes into ecological debt driven by over-consumption. 'Ecological debt day' is the date when, in effect, humanity uses-up the resources the earth has available for the year, and begins eating into its stock of natural resources. World ecological debt day has crept ever earlier in the year since humanity first began living beyond its environmental means in the 1980's.
The latest available data reveals that the overuse of the earth's resources is much more extreme in rich countries. For example, if everyone in the world wanted to live like people in the UK, on a very conservative estimate, we would need more than three planets like Earth. "
The report highlights that China is a target for conservationists because it is building a coal-fired power station every five days to feed its booming export-led economy. "However, if we all consumed like China, it would take only 0.9 of a planet."
In particular, international trade is becoming increasingly wasteful.
"As the world creeps closer to irreversible global warming and goes deeper into ecological debt, why on earth, say, would the UK export 20 tonnes of mineral water to Australia and then re-import 21 tonnes," said NEF director Andrew Simms.
Other examples in the report included:
· The UK imported 14,000 tonnes of chocolate covered waffles, and exported 15,000 tonnes.
· It imported from and exported to Italy, 600 tonnes of, 'gums and other jelly confectionery'.
· The large, two-way traffic of beer between Spain and the UK is also almost identical in amount.
"And why would that wasteful trade be more the rule than the exception?"
Maybe we really do think that greed is ok.
A quick survey of my breakfast table found milk from Thailand (sometimes it's Uruguay), honey from Vietnam, Weetbix and soy milk from Australia, corn flakes from France, oats from China, and (hooray) rice from Cambodia.
Looks like there is a lot of room for improvement.
The new economics foundation, an independent “think and do” tank in the UK, recently released a report, China-dependence, stating..
"From today, Saturday 6 October, the world as a whole goes into ecological debt driven by over-consumption. 'Ecological debt day' is the date when, in effect, humanity uses-up the resources the earth has available for the year, and begins eating into its stock of natural resources. World ecological debt day has crept ever earlier in the year since humanity first began living beyond its environmental means in the 1980's.
The latest available data reveals that the overuse of the earth's resources is much more extreme in rich countries. For example, if everyone in the world wanted to live like people in the UK, on a very conservative estimate, we would need more than three planets like Earth. "
The report highlights that China is a target for conservationists because it is building a coal-fired power station every five days to feed its booming export-led economy. "However, if we all consumed like China, it would take only 0.9 of a planet."
In particular, international trade is becoming increasingly wasteful.
"As the world creeps closer to irreversible global warming and goes deeper into ecological debt, why on earth, say, would the UK export 20 tonnes of mineral water to Australia and then re-import 21 tonnes," said NEF director Andrew Simms.
Other examples in the report included:
· The UK imported 14,000 tonnes of chocolate covered waffles, and exported 15,000 tonnes.
· It imported from and exported to Italy, 600 tonnes of, 'gums and other jelly confectionery'.
· The large, two-way traffic of beer between Spain and the UK is also almost identical in amount.
"And why would that wasteful trade be more the rule than the exception?"
Maybe we really do think that greed is ok.
A quick survey of my breakfast table found milk from Thailand (sometimes it's Uruguay), honey from Vietnam, Weetbix and soy milk from Australia, corn flakes from France, oats from China, and (hooray) rice from Cambodia.
Looks like there is a lot of room for improvement.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Life behind bars
This story is not mine, but was told to me by a team member, Paul. Details of prison life was gained through a report produced by a Cambodian human rights organisation, LICARDHO - "Prison Conditions in Cambodia 2005 & 2006: One Day in the Life of.".
In a jail just outside of Phnom Penh there is a young man who shares a crowded cell with 40 other men.
His offence? My friend dare not ask. He was only asked to visit the young man by his worried mother who now lives in Australia. But somehow it doesn't matter. (A thief has been jailed for 4 years after stealing only US$0.65 while well connected killers go free).
Meals only come twice a day and are always the same - a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. He has already lost 25kgs. In-mates with supportive families are able to supplement these miserly rations with food bought at inflated prices from the guards who themselves are on inadequate incomes.
The weight loss could also be attributed to the water - usually rainwater stored in large clay pots and used for drinking, washing clothes and personal hygiene. In general, sickness in such crowded prisons is rife and medical treatment, poor. Exercise outside in the prison yard is allowed according to the guards' whims, and in some jails only allowed once a week.
My friend visited this man with the help of Prison Fellowship and therefore was able to avoid paying the US$10 usually charged by the guards. But what he found astounded him. "This guy is so happy, sometimes even happier than me (and I'm a pretty happy guy)."
While still in police custody, the young man was visited by a Pastor and the news of Jesus and forgiveness impacted him. It has changed his life so dramatically that he now says that he is happy that he was sent to jail so that he could know Jesus.
He has served one and a half years of a ten year sentence.
In a jail just outside of Phnom Penh there is a young man who shares a crowded cell with 40 other men.
His offence? My friend dare not ask. He was only asked to visit the young man by his worried mother who now lives in Australia. But somehow it doesn't matter. (A thief has been jailed for 4 years after stealing only US$0.65 while well connected killers go free).
Meals only come twice a day and are always the same - a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. He has already lost 25kgs. In-mates with supportive families are able to supplement these miserly rations with food bought at inflated prices from the guards who themselves are on inadequate incomes.
The weight loss could also be attributed to the water - usually rainwater stored in large clay pots and used for drinking, washing clothes and personal hygiene. In general, sickness in such crowded prisons is rife and medical treatment, poor. Exercise outside in the prison yard is allowed according to the guards' whims, and in some jails only allowed once a week.
My friend visited this man with the help of Prison Fellowship and therefore was able to avoid paying the US$10 usually charged by the guards. But what he found astounded him. "This guy is so happy, sometimes even happier than me (and I'm a pretty happy guy)."
While still in police custody, the young man was visited by a Pastor and the news of Jesus and forgiveness impacted him. It has changed his life so dramatically that he now says that he is happy that he was sent to jail so that he could know Jesus.
He has served one and a half years of a ten year sentence.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
You've got to be joking
A running joke in our family is Steve's lack of success in making funny jokes in Khmer. His style is to translate a joke from English into Khmer, but it rarely works. He just gets a blank stare or polite smile (and a groan from me).
Yesterday, he struck gold.
Steve was walking home from school with a trail of four children behind him who were coming over to play. He commented to a road-side mechanic that he was a "father chicken" (a take on the saying "mother hen").
When he related this story to an "aunty" later, Steve tells me that she laughed uncontrollably and then continued to chuckle to herself over the next while. She even told me the story again today and how she had also told it to her daughters. They thought it was hilarious.
Now, I'm a bit concerned that encouraged by his success he's going to try a few more chicken jokes like "why did the chicken cross the road?". (I guess it was to pick up the kids from school.)
Yesterday, he struck gold.
Steve was walking home from school with a trail of four children behind him who were coming over to play. He commented to a road-side mechanic that he was a "father chicken" (a take on the saying "mother hen").
When he related this story to an "aunty" later, Steve tells me that she laughed uncontrollably and then continued to chuckle to herself over the next while. She even told me the story again today and how she had also told it to her daughters. They thought it was hilarious.
Now, I'm a bit concerned that encouraged by his success he's going to try a few more chicken jokes like "why did the chicken cross the road?". (I guess it was to pick up the kids from school.)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Traffic and ice cream
Most people I know like ice cream. But the traffic of Phnom Penh is mostly endured, feared or despised.
I love it. I love being amongst the scooters and motorbikes, bicycles, carts, cars and landrovers, street sellers, street sweepers, and over loaded trucks, as we all weave around each other and pot-holes in a mad, crazy dance.
I learnt to ride a motorbike in our first few weeks in Cambodia. The thrill of achievement was comparable to when I learnt to ski - exhilarated at cheating death and injury, while mocking the signs advising us to “always ski in control”.
However, control is essential for negotiating the chaotic traffic, as is an understanding of the seemingly nonexistent rules. Maintain your cool. Be ready of the unexpected. Big always wins. Traffic lights and lines are guidelines only. Forget everything behind you. And don’t ever stop, just keep edging forth slowly. The one time I tried to ride according to the Australian rules through an intersection I quickly became entangled with a confused fellow traveller.
Deemed too unsafe for children (me and the motorbike), we gained permission to purchase a tiring tomato red Corolla. This is now my main form of transport for going to the shops, trips to the doctor, visiting friends, taxiing visitors, attending meetings and going out as a family.
For our family outings Steve usually drives. He hates the traffic but he hates not being in control even more. But tiredness and stress affect his ability to remain calm and our trips are often dotted with various exclamations. His agitation began to grate on me but my urgings to “get over it” only seemed to fuel his frustration (particularly if I was the reason he was in a rush).
Finally, we came up with a compromise. Every time he got annoyed with someone he would say the word “ice cream”. It quickly became the main topic of conversation in the car. “I feel like an ice cream”. “Give me more ice cream”. “Chocolate fudge and vanilla ice cream!”.
But our six year old soon admonished his Dad. “I still know what you are saying. It would be better not to say anything, you know.” The four year old disagreed… starting yet another back-seat argument.
On Friday night we went out for (you guessed it) ice cream. Tired after a hard week at work and already one hour in traffic, Steve pressed the keys into my hand. “Wanna drive?”
I grabbed them with silent glee. Bring on the ice cream!
I love it. I love being amongst the scooters and motorbikes, bicycles, carts, cars and landrovers, street sellers, street sweepers, and over loaded trucks, as we all weave around each other and pot-holes in a mad, crazy dance.
I learnt to ride a motorbike in our first few weeks in Cambodia. The thrill of achievement was comparable to when I learnt to ski - exhilarated at cheating death and injury, while mocking the signs advising us to “always ski in control”.
However, control is essential for negotiating the chaotic traffic, as is an understanding of the seemingly nonexistent rules. Maintain your cool. Be ready of the unexpected. Big always wins. Traffic lights and lines are guidelines only. Forget everything behind you. And don’t ever stop, just keep edging forth slowly. The one time I tried to ride according to the Australian rules through an intersection I quickly became entangled with a confused fellow traveller.
Deemed too unsafe for children (me and the motorbike), we gained permission to purchase a tiring tomato red Corolla. This is now my main form of transport for going to the shops, trips to the doctor, visiting friends, taxiing visitors, attending meetings and going out as a family.
For our family outings Steve usually drives. He hates the traffic but he hates not being in control even more. But tiredness and stress affect his ability to remain calm and our trips are often dotted with various exclamations. His agitation began to grate on me but my urgings to “get over it” only seemed to fuel his frustration (particularly if I was the reason he was in a rush).
Finally, we came up with a compromise. Every time he got annoyed with someone he would say the word “ice cream”. It quickly became the main topic of conversation in the car. “I feel like an ice cream”. “Give me more ice cream”. “Chocolate fudge and vanilla ice cream!”.
But our six year old soon admonished his Dad. “I still know what you are saying. It would be better not to say anything, you know.” The four year old disagreed… starting yet another back-seat argument.
On Friday night we went out for (you guessed it) ice cream. Tired after a hard week at work and already one hour in traffic, Steve pressed the keys into my hand. “Wanna drive?”
I grabbed them with silent glee. Bring on the ice cream!
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