Long live the king

So it's interesting being here in Thailand. It's an Asian country, for sure, but a really different place than China. First of all, it's an open country--so I can see this blog--which is nice for a change. For example, I see that I uploaded that last picture sideways. For those of you viewing this page from a desktop computer, please tilt your head; if you're on a laptop, try turning the computer. (I'd change it but I'm living without iPhoto and my iBook for these few weeks. The Thai language is also really different. I'm starting to get to the point where Chinese doesn't sound so foreign (some I even understand), so to come to a new place with all new tones and sounds is weird. However/fortunately, English is more common here then in the Big Rice Paddy up North, so it's a lot easier to get around here despite my minimal Chinese-speaking abilities. Thai has a really island-y sound to my American ears, which is a nice change from the harsh tones and Beijing "huar" of the Mandarin I live in.

Thailand supposedly has the friendliest people on earth, and at first I was really skeptical. In China if someone's friendly they're trying to sell you something--and they're not going to give up easily. I've gotten good at avoiding eye contact, and I find myself doing that here--though my guard's beginning to come down. Like I alluded to earlier, I've made friends with the banana pancake man as well as two different internet cafe ladies, and our hotel staff. They like to talk and I think it's genuine. I'm giving them business regardless :) Thailand also is a real live monarchy, and pictures of the king are in just about every store. They love the king here--in movie theaters before a show begins everyone stands to honor him while the national anthem is played--and it's neat to be in a place like that. You don't talk bad about the king here. I was joking with the guys that I'd like to marry a Thai princess and be the King of Thailand someday, but if I said that to a Thai person they'd be offended.

There are certainly bad things about Thailand, too--specifically the view of sex in the culture--Thailand's number one business is sex tourism. Prostitution is legal and encouraged, and it's everywhere. We came to a quieter beach on purpose, but everywhere you look you see old European men and young Thai women. At first I just ignored it (as best I could), but as I've been here longer it bugs me more and more. Likewise, "lady-men" are everywhere--men who become women for one reason or another--and it's a common Phuket thing to go see a song and dance sort of show starring the famous lady-men. It's sad to see such a beautiful place and to meet such friendly people, all the time knowing that all around me that sort of thing is going on.

In the end I'm just reminded that sin is everywhere, and it's only by the grace of our Father--and nothing in me--that keeps me from exactly the same thing. Nations and people are fallen, and it's for that reason I'm in Asia at all, because He desires to see all nations and all people come under His Kingdom. In a land where the king is loved but sin is embraced you see the need for the King of Kings to reign in all our hearts. Long live that King.