Missionaries Kris and Marianne Young are back in the States this summer, renewing friendships and being re-energized for the ministry. They work with Cambodian people, teaching them not only the ways of Christianity but also helping them develop skills, find jobs and pursue enterprises that will make them self-sufficient. Teenage girls and women are being rescued from the sex trades, and boys and men are finding meaningful existence outside of drug use.

One of the spin-off enterprises, interestingly enough, has been to teach the native Cambodians to look for insulators the French installed during Colonial Times. Most of the large "T-Bars" (CD 690's) known in the hobby have come to the United States via Kris and Marianne. They have also shipped a large number of "gingerbread men", both CD 640's and CD 642's.

Crown Jewels sells the insulators for Kris & Marianne, with 100% of the proceeds returning to Cambodia. Sales have exceeded $5,000 over the last couple of years. That's a fairly significant amount, when you consider that an average wage in Cambodia is only a couple bucks a day.

On the following page are some insulators they currently have for sale. The prices are listed, but postage is extra. In some cases, only one insulator is available, so order quickly if you are interested. Order from:

Howard Banks 1750 Hugo Road Merlin, Oregon 97532 Phone: 541-479-8348 Email: hbanks@grantspass.com

Above: Porcelain gingerbread "boy". It's the size of a CD 643, except it has an inner skirt. Has metal pin. $75. Only one available.  Right: Porcelain gingerbread man. Same size as a CD 642. Metal pin removed. Price $95. Only one available.

Below left: CD 642, embossed with the symbol of an intertwined "M" and "V" inside a circle. French made. Near mint. Deep emerald green. Price: $75. Two available. Metal pins removed.

Below right: CD 690 "T-Bar". Embossed "ElV". French made. Aqua in color. Aqua is an unlisted color, but has turned out to be the most common of the TBars. Metal pin still in place. Priced to sell at $75. Ten available.