Rev. Mark Baldwin - Missionary to Cambodia

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.

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.

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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.

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

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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".

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.