the shady papaya

ive had a funny couple of days.

we got a new cleaner for the church. neang (the old one), in fairness, was absolutely terrible at it. and she had no initiative, didnt speak a lick on english and was genrally rubbish. plus we couldnt really trust her and she borrowed money and never paid it back. so instead of waiting and giving her another chance like steve had done before he just decided to move on and find someone else. which turned out to be good, although i dont know if this one is going to work out i really hope it does because we have sowat as our new cleaner!i vaguely remember writing about sowat ages ago (back around the beginning of october), i went to visit his house with steve. really nice guy who used to teach english and was part of the church for a while but stopped coming and started to work as a motodop (moto taxi) and has since found things a bit tough, but remaind good friends with steve and modge and has just started work today. he is great fun and really hapy to be in a job, he only works mornings and does his taxi stuff in the aternoons. it was nice to see him today and im hoping i will be able to steal him for a few mins every now and then to help me with my language. so thats a masive plus!

my friend isaac, or rather the girl who is working for him and now living downstairs in their house, has just re-opened the 'shady papaya' cafe/restaurant. i must say i was pretty impressed with it the other night. good menu and nice atmosphere. although its not in the centre of town and was quite empty when i went there (its only a small room) so hopegully it will take off, its in a pretty good neaghbourhood and so might start to get noticed if they market it well. im going to give them a bit of business every now and then, id really like it to work out. he (isaac) is a really great guy and we get on pretty well, so we have a laugh together.

i listened to the jars of clay album 'redemption hymns' today. if you havent heard it or have never heard of the band then look em up, well worth a listen. two great songs particularly are 'i'll fly away' and 'stormy banks of the jordan' some great lines:

'when shall i see that heavenly place and be forever blessed.
when shall i see my fathers face and in his bosom rest.
im bound, im bound, im bound
for the promised land.'

ive been reading isaiah recently as part of my reading shedule. chapter nine is classic, although traditionally read at christmas some of the tuff about jesus is amazing, written centuries before he was ever born yet vividly describing things that happened to him and things he was going to say. prettymind blowing.

God is good.
Ben.