We had Socheat, his wife, seven year old boy and 11 month old baby over for dinner last night. We told them that we would have American food for them to try. Courtney made breaded chicken with mash potatoes and gravy. Everything was ready for their traditional “late” arrival so we took advantage of the time and prayed for evening and conversation together. This Cambodian custom of arriving late is something we have gotten use to, but we never had completely understood.

As it turns out they were only at our house for an hour. The evening progressed and they even liked the food! Socheat started a conversation by asking if it was OK to ask some questions. My heart skipped a beat and I thought here it is, the question about Jesus. His question, sadly, wasn’t gospel related. He wanted to know if it was true that Europeans kiss when they meet, and was this an American custom as well. The conversation continued on this topic; the differences between European (French) customs and Cambodian customs.

His last question was about nude bathing in Europe, now prevalent in Thailand. His wife and seven year old were both present at the table and such risque conversation in mixed company is not the norm. But they were all attentive, as if they all were wondering the same thing. No one blushed or stirred in their chairs. This behavior is not acceptable in Cambodia, and he wondered how embarrassing this tradition must be.

Court felt the Lord leading to talk about the subject of God. But, how? Just blast in with Jesus dying on the cross or what? Then she heard herself saying, “You know that reminds me of a story about Creation…..” She went on to explain that everything God made was good and perfect without sin. Then God created the first man and the first women and they also were good without sin and naked. But once they disobeyed God sin enter the world and their body and they realized for the first time that they were naked. They became ashamed and embarrassed. This was the fist time that man had ever sinned and first time they had ever felt this emotion. They listened to the story but then their baby started crying and our conversation came to an end.

When they finally left, both of us started to laugh about how I tried to get in a spiritual conversation while talking about nude European bathing. You definitely need a sense of humor in ministry.

We are praying for the seeds (no matter how kookie they come) we have planted and for more opportunities to share. Our team (two other couples and us) will be going to Socheat’s house tonight (Monday). He has invited us over for dinner. Please pray as all of us share a meal and hopefully more interesting spiritual conversations.