May (End) Update 2018

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

Because you have prayed, here is what took place…

As mentioned in our previous update, immediately after the Field Leadership Team (FLT) meeting, Syna participated as one of the translators for the Inter-generation Leadership Conference in Phnom Penh with a conference theme called Multiplying Disciples and Churches. Altogether, 223 KEC representatives attended the two- day conference and participated in three workshop classes taught by a visiting team from City Light Alliance church from Omaha, Nebraska.

Syna with Poipet KEC members at Phnom Penh conference

Intergenerational Leadership Conference

223 KEC representatives participated in the Phnom Penh leadership conference

Syna translating at the Intergenerational Leadership Conference

Every workshop session was well attended. The KEC leaders express great appreciation for new insights on how to help their church grow. Immediately after the conference, Syna took a taxi to Siem Reap and then another taxi to Anlong Veng to get things ready for the motorbike mission trip…

Northwest regional annual motorbike mission trip

Initially, since we did not get any clear response from the youth leaders, we thought perhaps 20-25 other people would participate in this motorbike mission trip. Because of this we told the hosting villagers to prepare food for such amount of people. However, at around 4:00 pm on the appointed date, 64 people with all their motorbikes and gears showed up in front of our house! Quickly, we sent word to the hosting families to get more food ready. In addition to the 64 visitors (from Poipet, Bontey Meanchey and from Siem Reap), we also brought some young people from Anlong Veng to join us. Because of bad roads and traveling with such a big group, by the time we arrived into the hosting village it was late in the evening. Everyone was hungry and tired but very excited about the trip. The Srae Kandal Alliance church families worked together so well and had generously and very graciously prepared abundant of food: a four- course meal for the hungry bunch! Shortly after a time of fellowship, enjoyment with plenty of delicious meals, and with the help of a small portable generator, we showed the Jesus Film to the villagers. Many neighbors and friends from the areas came to watch. Originally, we had in plan to show just one movie, but the villagers kept asking, “Do you have any more movies to show us?” We did. That night, we showed a total of four Christian films of various titles. Even then, some villagers insisted on staying up all night just to chat with the visitors! Although no one from the areas had come forward to receive Christ in that first evening service, after three days and two nights of visiting and spending at various places, we led four people to the Lord!

Of course, it would not be our normal tradition for the northwest regional annual KEC mission trip if it was not accompanied by thunderstorms, accidents, and some other minor inconveniences:

- The first day on our way to Srae Kandal village, we had to stop a few times because of heavy rainstorms with flashing lightings causing broken tree branches to block off muddy roads. This caused a few delays with our traveling.

- Some motorbike drivers encountered accidents along the way where their bikes had flat tires or minor mechanical problems.

- We thank the Lord, however, that two young men were miraculously spared from major accident. If an accident did happen, it would have been a fatal one. Their story: Upon suspecting that something was wrong with their bike, the two young men immediately and wisely pulled over and parked their old raggedy motorbike in a borrowed shelter of a house in a nearby village. They then called us for help. Then, we sent out two other drivers with their bikes to pick up the two boys. The next morning, we drove back to the place where the boys had left the bike and were very surprised to see the condition of the bike! Upon lifting it up onto our truck, the bike snapped into two pieces! Everyone was amazed how God kept these two young men from major harm. Even unbelieving speculators of the area were amazed at this miracle.

The main body of a bike broken in half

The guys tied the broken bike onto our truck

- On the way to another location, Sanchey Village, our third targeting village, we parked all four
vehicles on the road side with Syna because the roads were so bad. An older woman volunteered to wait while those on motorbikes continued on as planned. Upon returning to the main road from Sanchey village, two vehicles had flat tires while another car suffered major mechanical problems. It had to be towed away and repaired at a nearby garage.

In order to participate on this mission trip, everyone was required and encouraged to contribute  a small financial fee in order to help pay for the cost of food and for other expenses at the hosting villages. In addition to the required fees, the visiting group decided to take two offerings for the building constructions of two shelters (for two different villages) for children Sunday classes. It was amazing to see the generosity among the participants in response to the needs of their neighbors. Those who had the means gave sacrificially from their own personal savings to help pay for the extra- unplanned expenses for the broken vehicles.

Those who had participated in this mission trip had eagerly expressed, “I will never forget this mission trip, ever!” or “I learned so much from this trip!” or “It’s the most memorable trip I ever had.” Among the visiting group, four older ladies from Svey Sisophon decided to join the mission trip saying, “Why let all the young people have all the fun. We want to be part of this trip too."  They were such adventurous and funny ladies! With their many years of life experience, these dear grannies offered many godly wisdoms and advice to the youngsters. And of course we let these dearly matured ladies ride in the cars. Altogether, we had 78 people participate in this mission trip with ages ranging from 1 to 81 years old riding on 22 motorbikes and four cars visiting a total of six village-house churches.

Mission Trip: Worship service at Sanchey village

Mission Trip: People praying for the land where the worship place is to be built at Andoung Chan village

Mission Trip: Young people participating in worship service at Srae Kandal viallage

May 18-24 was a whirlwind of long road trips around the northwest regions where many church leaders participated in leadership seminars in Tek Cho village, Poipet, and Srae Nouy village. Our two friends (husband-wife team) from New York City, also experienced Bible teachers, came to teach leadership workshop classes on topics like: Faith, Doubt, Disappointment, and How to Defend Our Faith/Apologetic. Those who participated in the seminars expressed gratitude to God for opportunity to learn God’s Word and to grow deeper in their faith.

Leadership training at Tek Cho village

Leadership seminar at Poipet

May 20: The Sunday church service at Srae Kandal brought great excitements to the church families as a prodigal son had finally returned home. Yuoun (age 22), currently a young husband and newly proud father, was a long-time rebellious son of Mrs. Heng and Mr. Tuon. However, he finally came to his senses and returned home to his family. His story: After a serious accident which resulted in multiple body injuries, Tuon realized that because of his mother’s persistent prayers, God kept him alive and well! That day, with an approval of his parents, Tuon’s young wife decided to dedicate their baby girl, their first born to the Lord.

A baby dedication at Srae Kandal Village

Realizing that his parents, his three younger siblings, his wife, and now even his baby girl--- all belonging to God’s family, Tuon did not want to be left behind. He wished to be part of this great family as well. With his mother's invitation, Tuon agreed to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior with Soeuth leading him in the sinner prayer. There was great rejoicing among the church families as Tuon sincerely prayed to receive Jesus into his heart.

Soeuth leading Tuon in the sinners prayer at Srae Kandal village

So once again dear prayer warriors, thank you so much for praying. God heard your prayers and He is working, moving, and stirring the hearts of His children. Thank you for partnering with us in the Cambodian ministries. Please share with us what God is doing in your life.

With a grateful heart,
Soeuth & Syna

P.S. In case you don’t hear from us for a while, please know that we will be enjoying every precious moment with our children, because both sons and a brand new daughter-in-law are coming to visit us soon…