Rev. Mark Baldwin - Missionary to Cambodia -
Philippians 2:1 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

New Facilities in Cambodia

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:36:36 -0500

Well... An exciting new phase of the Lord’s work here in Phnom Penh is set to begin.
After searching the whole city, examining several possibilities and having a nice one rented out from under me I finally located, secured and moved into a building suitable to use as both a Church/School on the first floor and a home on the second floor.

The door to Biblical missions in Cambodia is mostly open, at least for now.

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:11:38 -0500

The door to Biblical missions in Cambodia is mostly open, at least for now. Please be in Prayer for God’s people here. Both those who know Him and face various persecutions for their faith and for those He will bring to Himself in due time.

Christmas Dinner in Cambodia

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:56:02 -0600

As I prepared to celebrate my first Christmas in Phnom Penh, Cambodia I was wondering what to write folks about back in America and around the world. The Idea came to me as I wandered the isles of a “modern market” and spotted a freezer full of frozen turkeys. Since there are no turkeys here in Cambodia and these had familiar American brand names I assumed they'd been shipped frozen, at great expense, all the way from the US. I was slightly amused because in all the apartments I looked at only one had an oven and it was to small for an American roasting chicken, let alone a turkey. I guess the fancy apartments, costing more than $1000/mo, have real ovens.

Been Krogering lately?

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:46:20 -0500

When I first came to Phnom Penh a couple years back I expected I'd be forced to shop in the traditional markets scrounging around for anything that looks like it's eatable and paying 2x-5x the price locals pay. Meat that's been hanging outside in the heat fermenting all day had me resigned to possible vegetarianism.... Canned goods with indecipherable Chinese labels concealing content that may or may not be edible. Vegetables growing in filthy conditions and fertilized with who knows what... and no safe water to clean them with. I anticipated hunting, gathering and preparing food taking up most of my spare time.

May, 2007 Update

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:32:50 -0500

Greetings in the name of the Lord. I pray he has been blessing you as He has me. It's been a busy month of integrating to Cambodian society and the long term mission. Which is to say I now have an apartment and a moto. If this were the US my report would be finished. Moving to a new city and getting established in a home with a car would be trivial. Half a world away things are rather different...

Khmer New Year

Tue, 01 May 2007 21:05:10 -0500

The Lord continues to bless me and I am thankful to Him for his blessing and to all the people who are supporting my ministry in many ways.

Cambodia recently celebrated it's “Khmer New Year” holiday. Officially it is 3 days, Saturday-Monday, but many take a whole week off. Like everything in Cambodia there was a religious aspect and most had their offering to the spirits out for all to see. Some, like the hotel, had their's in a more secure place (the roof top lounge). This photo is from in front of one of the big “western” style supermarkets and is a small version of what I saw everywhere. It's interesting that everyone offered the spirits soda, usually in cans but here in bottles. Orange Mirinda is a favorite soda here in Cambodia. It made me wonder if the bottles went back on the shelf and I might be drinking soda offered to idols? The fact that a lighter and extra incense is left out implies that someone, a monk or employee perhaps, will come by and light more of it.

Return to Phnom Penh

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:56:27 -0500

As the plane came down for a landing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia some 30 hours after I boarded the first flight in America the scorched scenery reminded me of how blisteringly hot it can be in the dry season. The forecast had been for 105ºF to welcome me back. (about 50% humidity) I wasn't too concerned and found my self wondering how different the city would be after 15 months. I was exhausted by the mostly sleepless flight but really wanted to get into town and have a look around. The hotel provided van ride into the city did little to sate my curiosity as it took a route I seldom traveled but I scanned the faces and sights like a first time tourist anyway. Once we got to my more frequent stomping grounds I was comforted to find all the familiar landmarks but also struck by one obvious change. The noontime traffic looked more like I remember rush hour. Not just “motos' but there were many, many more cars than I remembered as well. Obviously the wealthy class has continued to grow though most seemed as poor as ever.

The cobbler's children have no shoes

Tue, 16 May 2006 14:58:23 -0500

or
Where has the WEB site been?

Well... as sometimes happens the hosting company where my church is hosted (and therefore this site) trashed our account unexpectedly. I rebuilt the church site asap but my site had to wait as I had too much to do. It's back up now and I've uploaded many pictures. I've also set up this News Letter that can be emailed in HTML to people. I hope you will keep me in prayer and share my WEB site and News Letters with anyone interested.

That Infamous Commute Video

Tue, 16 May 2006 14:11:47 -0500

Here's a short clip from the video of my commute to teach in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that people loved so much.

Click the link to download/view the File:
Quicktime Movie (.mov)
Windows Media Movie (.wmv)

Please note there are many configurations of computers and video players, some will "stream" one of these videos (play it while it downloads) and some will need to download them before they play.

King's Plowing Day

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 13:15:51 -0600

This is a National Holiday

The Cambodian king plows part of a rice field for planting. Then his royal bulls are then taken to a ceremony where they have bowls of wine and plates of rice and beans. If the bulls, as they did last year, drink wine but don''t eat then there will be drought and poor harvest, as there was last year. If the bulls eat the rice and beans the all will be well. They ate the rice and beans this year and ignored the wine. People were ecstatic. They think the gods smile on them and there will be an abundant harvest. There is clearly much work do be done here.

Having to Sell All Kind of Sdare Parts from USA

Sun, 15 May 2005 10:56:33 -0500

Or

The State of English in Cambodia

I often wonder as I wander about Phnom Penh just who makes up the English that appears on the signs I read. Clearly they aren't using a Khmer to English dictionary as they would have the correct English spelling. Some Cambodian sign makers seem to have taken an old saying to heart, "A man who can"t spell a word at least three different ways has no imagination!". The Cambodians are as imaginative as I am. Perhaps even more as I would not have thought to use a "d" instead of a "p" as one "sdare (sic.) parts" dealer did. I understand that "p" and "d" are related sounds but tend to think "p" and "b" or "d" and "t" should be confused, not "p" and "d".

A Day in the Life...

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 06:10:11 -0600

How's the food?
Are you settled?
Finding your way around?
Speaking the language?
What are you doing these days?

These Questions and more are answered in this blog entry.

Arival - Phnom Penh

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 22:50:23 -0600

The plane ride from Taipei to Phnom Penh was uneventful though the food was not as good as the flight in to Taipei. It only took a couple of minutes to clear customs, collect my bags and find Mr. Hsieh (my boss). It was simpler than I could have imagined. (And the smallest airport I've been in!)

Taipei

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 22:45:07 -0600

Wow! Here I thought I'd have no email access for a while. I'm in Taipei and opened my computer and found 3 wireless networks, the first one just let me on

Saying Farewell For Now

Tue, 15 Feb 2005 13:52:35 -0600

Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. -- Psalm 30:5

Well, the time has nearly come and I am saying “Good by for now” to my church and all the friends I have there. It will be parting that brings sadness to some but it is exciting to finally be going to the field to serve Christ in Cambodia. I have been also going through this here in Grand Island, NY at my adopted second church where I have been serving again for a week.

Rev. Mark Baldwin - Missionary to Cambodia - Philippians 2:1 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.