Vendors

Until very recently, I always disliked tourist-oriented vendors.  After experiencing Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, August (middle of the rainy season), and the noon sun, I have a totally different perspective. The change in perspective came from a simple experience, yet the ramifications in my life extend well a tourist center in Cambodia. 
Cambodia’s rainy season is hot and humid.  It is that simple.  Whatever measures I had before; Singapore on one of the hottest most humid day, Madras or Bombay during the first few days of the monsoon season, or even Bangkok during Thailand’s rainy season, I now know a new extreme.  I thought I knew what I was walking into.  I read the travel guides.  I understood the facts outlined on the weather site.  I even discussed it with friends that had been to the same location.  Candidly, I had no idea what I was walking into!
Carli and I climbed onto our tuk tuk, we were carrying our half-liter water bottles.  We were covered in sun protection and mosquito repellant.  We had cameras, extra batteries and flash cards.  We were prepared.  We were simply and totally ignorant.
During the next five hours we consumed almost five liters each!  There was no need to find a private toilet for the extra water our bodies consumed, our sweat took care of everything.  Thank God for the tourist vendors!  At each stop they had 1.5 liter bottles of chilled, clean water.  It was unexpected, unplanned, and totally necessary!  Even though we were vulnerable and obviously in need, they offered priceless items with a smile and willingness to barter in good faith.  As my shirt glistened from the water from within, I looked at my rescuers with in a new way.
There are many messengers in your life and mine.  Some come as vendors, others rescuers, and even others as friends.  Isaiah had my words!  “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news, breaking the news that all's well, proclaiming good times, announcing salvation, telling Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”  (Isaiah 52.7)