| It's been a long time since I xanga'ed. Xanga remains blocked in China... whoever posted something they "shouldn't have", thank you.  Oh well... I never got the other blog up and running, the blogspot one, because you can post to blogspot, but you can't see what you've posted or check anyone else's blog in China. I'm on facebook now, which is enough to keep me busy, but I miss Xanga. I'm in the Kindgom of Cambodia now, and I can't wait to get to my friend's place in Phnom Penn and start asking questions. I don't know much about Cambodia-- much meaning almost nothing at all. Lonely Planet calls it one of the most mined countries in the world-- mined meaning land mines. They also warn you not to stray from the paths already there. Seems like good advice. We've (my friends J & S, and myself) have been hanging at Angkor Wat for the past 3 days. Man! It's amazing! One day definitely isn't enough, but 3 days seems enough for one visit. Maybe more another year. When I first got here, I thought I'd never come back. It was too hot and humid and sticky and dirty (dusty b/c it's dry season, but the dust sticks to sweaty people), and it's sub-tropical, so it's like this all year! (Except when the monsoons come, that is.) Now, I think I'd come back. It'd have to be soon, or this global warming thing will really get out of control. Previous to coming here, J, S, and I were in Luang Prabang, Laos with our friend A. It was a lovely town, and I'd like to go back soon and rent a bike to pedal around the city on. There were Wat's (temples) everywhere, and many were free to go into, so that was nice. The people are darling, the language difficult, the food delectable! I really liked Luang Prabang. Perhaps my friends had something to do with that, too! It's so nice to travel with friends. Being in these two countries, both developing and poor, has left me with a deepening burden for SE Asia. As I have gone from place to place, I've spent time watching tourists, eating interesting food, and looking at Wats. I've seen building after building. What always steals all my attention, though, is the people. There are lovely people here in SE Asia. The monks in Laos and Cambodia wear bright orange robes. They're young, seem sweet, and are often very intelligent. Some of them come from homes where poverty has been the way of life for generations; others are escaping frightful circumstances; still others are just looking to lead a spiritual life. We met some guys that are a bit younger than my students, and they were so kind and smiley. They desperately need Dad, though. In my travels in both countries, I've seen such a deep need for Dad, but I've seen little desire. I don't know the people I've seen. I can't speak for their hearts. But I can't see on their faces a desire for something to fill them. Buddhism, at least in my home, teaches one to accept what comes. Life is what it is; all of life is suffering. Perhaps it's the same here. And so I've begun to ask for revealing Truth, but more than that I've begun to ask for a hunger. The shepherds had hunger the night they heard good news of great joy, and they ran-- literally got up and ran-- to a stable and a manger and a little boy that would give them hope. The wise men had a hunger, and it drove them across the Arabian desert to Palestine to lay priceless gifts at a toddler's feet. Now, I'm pleading for a hunger here-- here in SE Asia. Here in Cambodia. Here in Laos. A hunger that is filled just He promised-- He said come, buy and eat. So many here spend their money on what is not food and what cannot satisfy. I ask that they'll know hunger so that they may be filled. |
