Khmer: One or two Languages?
In the first year, most of our time we spend studying the language. Once we know the script, it is easier to pick up new words and phrases. We experience encouraging days, and frustrating days too. That's part of life here!
Lastly, we started to read Bible stories for children with our private tutor. This gives us the opportunity to learn Cambodia's "second language"! In the Khmer language there are ordinary words for ordinary people. But it also has high words for "high" people, such as for God, the king, or for monks. So we have to learn how Jesus 'walks', 'sleeps', 'eats', 'talks', and much more.
On the other hand, didn't Jesus became man like us? Didn't he take the lower way, became a servant, and still bows down to help us when we need him?
We find that quite a tension. Which side of Jesus do we want to stress? His holiness or his manhood? His love for us or his power over us?