Trouble mounting up

Recently the rubbish collectors went on strike in Phnom Penh and the resulting mounds of trash are indicative that it was a long work stoppage. The problem was compounded by the fact that in Phnom Penh people just use plastic bags for throwing out trash, and there are no ordinances or rules for putting out garbage so the streets become the natural receptacles.

Notable Quotes

It is not just partisan politics for a party to deliberately and systematically seek to suppress minority votes, it is also a heretical denial of the biblical assertion of the image of God in every one of us that entitles us to equal dignity, equal rights, equal citizenship, and equal opportunity.

Rev. Jim Wallis, in Christ in Crisis

Coronation Holiday

Cambodia is awash in holidays. The United States has 11. Cambodia has more than 23. The number has changed some in the past year or two as the government recognized there are too many such days and removed one or two, but there are still too many. Today this roundabout is decorated for the anniversary of the king’s coronation. And then tomorrow we have the first day of a three-day holiday for the Water Festival!

Still Going Strong

This old man collecting rubbish to recycle has been part of the Phnom Penh street scene ever since I arrived. In those twenty years, he has always dressed the same: shorts, flip-flops, and a hat. Never a shirt. I mean literally…NEVER a shirt. He must get something out of his endeavors because he keeps collecting.

Farewell to Lika

Today DDP had a little gathering to say goodbye to Bolika, our Deaf Community Center coordinator who is leaving the Deaf Development Programme after fourteen years. She started as a teacher in Kampong Chhnang Province and has kept adapting and using her skills in various positions. She is an extremely competent staff and we are going to miss her.

Lika (2L) chatting with three of the deaf staff and Julie Lawler (2R) as Julie shows in sign language where she is from in the United States.
The deaf and hearing Phnom Penh staff and a couple of our students listen as Lika speaks about her long time at DDP.

Seminary Reunion

2020 is the 50th anniversary of my class’s ordination to the priesthood and I was looking forward to seeing the guys again at the alumni reunion in Baltimore last week. But thanks to COVID-19, such was not to be. Instead a bunch of us got together for a Zoom reunion online, and it turned out to be an interesting and enjoyable experience.