And then you must laugh

After our amazing lunch, we began our journey to KampongThom. There we will be joining a team from First UMC Baton Rouge. They have been working here for a number of years building a church in this part of the country. And this Sunday it will be dedicated. So we will travel about six hours in a van to participate in this event. Similarities are continuous. Driving out of Phnom Penh is like driving out of Houston, the first hour of the journey is simply making it out of town. We have added another traveler with us for this part of our trip. Romey is the country director from the General Board of Global ministries, and formally served as the district superintendent of the area where the church is to be dedicated.
One of the striking things along the way was the flooding that was present. This is nearing the end of their rainy season and it has been a particularly harsh one. In addition, a dam on a river from Thailand into Cambodia has ruptured and much more water is following down from the north. A resourceful people, many Cambodians were taking the opportunity to fish in the flood waters. We stopped for a break in the trip, and were swarmed by beautiful young children selling fruit on the side of the road. Well mostly fruit, a couple were selling fried spiders. Big fried spiders. One young woman even had a living spider to prove that they were fresh spiders.
Once on our way, the conversation naturally turned to food. What would you expect? Eight Methodists in a van, we were going to talk about food. And I am not sure how to classify the conversation; it ranged from delightful to disgusting, even in the same breath. Two of the members of our group have never been on a mission previously. EVER. Taking new people on a mission is always a little dicey, but on a mission that includes 24 hour plane travel and a complete change of culture, that has the potential to become a nightmare. This is not the case here, however. This two folks are apparently willing and able to try anything. Well almost anything. First the conversation was about eating fried spiders, the accepted wisdom that once the first couple of legs were down, it was easy going. When compared to the taste chicken the topic naturally turned to frogs legs. From there the delicacy described was boiled fertilized duck eggs, which ultimately it was agreed that with the appropriate amounts of pepper sauce they would try them. Then one of the newbie’s asked the ultimate question. What about dog? She didn’t think she could eat dog. I couldn’t resist. Really, premature baby ducks were okay, but not a puppy. Where exactly in the animal kingdom do you draw the line? It can’t be with cuteness, because nothing is cuter than baby ducks. Is it with animals we have the potential to have a relationship with? We laughed. And laughed. But deep inside I think I finally understood those that are vegan.
On a day that traversed deep despair and pain to common laughter about what we would or wouldn’t agree to eat….
This is a thin place.