Unusual Aspects During Visits to the Local Grocery

One absolutely hilarious thing about living in Malaysia has been our visits to Giant -- the local grocery store.

Of course they have a variety of music to comfort shoppers -- some Indian music, some local flair, and plenty of traditional Western tunes. Then, over the loudspeaker comes a quite recognizable voice in American English telling some anecdote about family.

Then a heavily accented Malaysian radio voice (that is trying not to be accented) says,

"This short, but very interesting commentary from Dr. James Dobson has been brought to you by Kentucky Friend Chicken."

From the first day we heard it, we wondered how it can be -- and virtually every grocery trip includes this "short, but very interesting" encounter. Then, over the past few weeks, it has been quite encouraging (and surprising) to hear "Joy to the World" in our Giant store. Nothing like hearing all four verses of the gospel proclaimed as we do our shopping. Indeed, words like "let every heart prepare him room," "No more let sin and sorrow grow. . . ." and the last verse, quoted in full, are symbols of how wonderful it is to celebrate our Savior's birth.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love

What a Merry Christmas treat!