Rev. Mark Baldwin - Missionary to Cambodia

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.

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".

On Monday, June 14th we went to Albany to attend a rally and lobby the State Representatives. The New York State Attorney General has announced that New York will honor Gay Marriages done in Massachusetts. Bills were drafted to make it plain that marriage was only allowed between 1 man and 1 woman. We were hoping to see it passed before the following Monday, the last scheduled day of the session.

I'm here in Grand Island, NY where the PMU "Missions Banner" is published. I have made it into the Banner again. If you are following my adventures you should go to their site and sign up. I'm told I will be in Banner regularly so having it delivered to your home would keep you informed. PMU also has me working on a "Solicitation" letter to be sent out once things are official. I will be required to raise $1200 a month before I can leave for Cambodia. Please be in prayer about that.

Well... I don't seem to be getting my own copy of the PMU "Missions Banner" any more. Perhaps they have removed me from the mailing list as I'm soon to be homeless. I learned at Grace Sunday from several people that I was in the Banner. I checked it on-line and sure enough, there was a little blurb. It's now official...

Today is my Last day at GE. I've taken a VJE or "Voluntary Job Elimination" so I can use the sizable separation package to fund my studies to enter the full time ministry. Pastor Pine calls it "Plundering the Egyptians" on my way out of town. I call it the beginning of months of intensive review and memory work. I do it looking to Christ for strength and in anticipation of serving Him.