A "Deaf Frog" Culture

We had a great time this past Saturday with one of our close friends from Cambodia. We decided to spend the afternoon at the zoo and it was great to enjoy God’s spectacular creativity as we looked at the animals together. While we enjoyed the zoo, we also caught up with the ministry that God is doing in Cambodia. Our friend told how even though there are so many difficulties inherent in their ministry, the team in Cambodia just continues on, trusting God. He shared the following story which illustrates the point:

There were a group of frogs who decided to climb to the top of the Tower of Pisa. They were little frogs, and the steps were high and many. As they hopped up the tower, some of the frogs started to grumble and complain. “We can’t do this!” “It’s too hard.” “Why do we keep trying?” One frog finally just quite: “I can’t climb this tower, why did I ever think I could?” Another stopped soon after, and then another. Finally there was only one frog left hopping bravely up the tower steps. Finally he reached the top, tired but content. He enjoyed the view for a while and then hopped down again. When he got to the bottom and joined the other frogs that had gathered to wait for him, they all exclaimed and congratulated him. One of the other frogs spoke up and asked: “How did you keep going when the rest of us decided it was too hard?” It was then that everyone realized the little frog who had succeeded was deaf, and could not hear anyone’s praise... or all the grumbling and complaining they had done earlier!

Our friends in Cambodia have decided to become like the deaf frog and ignore all those who are telling them that it cannot be done. Sadly in ministry there are often more people within an organization that are discouraging than there are encouraging. One of our key concepts that we try to share with others through our training is the importance of encouraging each other. But still, the norm is perhaps too often the other way. The finance department tells us there are no funds. The regional office tells us that we don’t have the ability to do what we want to do. The human resource department tells us that we cannot ask so much from our team mates. The fund raisers tell us that they cannot raise funds for that type of project. So many discouraging words...

One of the new projects that our friend was so excited about is called Stories of the Potter! Targeted towards non-literate listeners, Stories of the Potter will begin airing in August. This 30-minute series will tell Bible stories from a uniquely Cambodian perspective, and is especially designed to speak to the worldview of the Cambodians. Pastor Barnabas Mom, who is one of the best story-tellers in Southeast Asia, will present the Potter’s stories. A very exciting part of this program is that each story will include a brand-new song developed especially for that story. One of our friend’s co-workers writes a synopsis of the story and gives it to his brother, who then composes the new song. This combination of story and song is hoped to further instill the story and its meaning into the heart and mind of the listener. In Cambodia, as a potter sits at his wheel, he often tells stories to those sitting around. Our friends in Cambodia share their burden with us: “As Stories of the Potter airs, it is our prayer that THE Potter will break hardened hearts and remake them into His image. “