March Update 2020 (part 2)

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior" Habakkuk 3:17-18.

At this writing, in relation to the latest coronavirus updates, things are going down hill for Cambodia. The national Cambodian Alliance churches, with respect to the local government, had cancelled three regional church conferences and an annual youth conference. It is such a chaotic and confusing time for Cambodians, and we can only imagine the same experience is felt by you and by people from everywhere around the world. YET, even with the uncertainties and the unknown, we rejoice for opportunities that local believers have recently had to shine the Light of Jesus in these dark times…

A First Prayer Meeting in Toul Prich…

Though the few believers in Toul Prich village have met regularly for Thursday afternoon Bible studies during Firm Foundation Discipleship class and Sunday church service, they had never set a specific time for just prayers (although prayer requests were often shared and included at weekly discipleship classes and church services). Recently, while everyone in the village was fearful of the coronavirus, believers decided to meet regularly, (while respecting the latest government social rule- of keeping 2 meters or 6 feet apart) in prayers on Monday nights! These meeting were their own initiation, and they have been meeting a few weeks already. Recently during our visits to some church families, we were amazed though not surprised to see Noun and her husband, Kane, passionately and courageously sharing the Good News of Jesus to their neighbors!

Noun, Kane (light blue shirt), and Savy praying at Toul Prich village prayer meeting

Pastoral/Leadership Seminars in Srae Nouy…

On March 17, before we were aware of the official cutoff time, we were able to hold a large group gathering for a leadership seminar at Sray Nouy where about 60 believers from 9 different villages participated. Our dear friends and workshop presenter, Pastor Joel Arndt and his wife Becca, from International Alliance Church in Hong Kong did an excellent job leading a three-session workshop about characteristics of a leader through the Life of Joseph entitled "Character Is Passed Down, Character Is Forged Amidst Temptation, and Character Is Forged While Waiting."

Leadership seminar at Srae Nouy

The messages were well received.  We were supposed to hold the same workshops in two other places at a later date. But as we finished up the day, we received news that due to the rapidly spreading of Covid-19, the Cambodian government had banned all group gathering which was effective immediately.  Cambodian Alliance churches in the northwest region were thankful that we had this last workshop and a regional church conference (March 4-7) done before the cutoff date.

Leadership seminar at Srae Nouy

Mr. Raa (from Srae Kandal village) supported an amputee friend in a stand-up prayer time at Srae Nouy.

A Fisher of Men…

Aged 55, a fierce & vibrant believer, and most effective, gifted evangelist in his community, Kong from Andong Chan village continued to be on fire for Jesus! Everywhere he went, every chance he got, Kong was always looking for opportunities to share with someone about Jesus. But with the severe drought affecting all of Cambodia, Kong was desperately searching for ways to earning a meager living being a peasant farmer in addition to having great responsibilities to care and to provide for his family. But there were no other options left. Having been miraculously rescued by God from a near-death accident in a charcoal over a few years ago (see his story in the October 2017 and also recently in an Alliance Life magazine article: “Harvest Time in the Former Killing Fields”), Kong promised God that he would not return to that former and dangerous occupation. Out of desperation, however, Kong recently accepted his young brother’s invitation to harvest fresh-water shrimps and mullets at Mart Klaa floating village from the great Tonle Sap Lake. He took a taxi to the outskirts of Siem Reap province. As he was nearing the Tonle Sap shore, Kong felt led to visit some believing families of the areas. Upon arrival and entering into a small house on stilts, Kong was greatly surprised to see about 15 people were already sitting and waiting for him! Apparently, someone of that village heard about Kong plans to the floating village, and they secretly alerted the villagers of his trip. They all were in the house waiting and praying that God would direct and guide Kong to them. And God did. In the house, Kong took the opportunity to share the Good News. After a sweet time of worship and sharing, a family of 5 prayed to receive Christ! Kong quickly gave instructions to local believers to help train and disciple this new family. He left and continued with his planned trip to Mart Klaa. But by the time he reached to the water edge, it was late in the afternoon, a dangerous time to cross the lake. Due to unexpected yet common storms, people of the lake naturally followed a daily schedule of when it was safe or not safe to cross the lake. For security reason, everyone abides by these daily guidelines. But at that moment, Kong was determined to cross the lake and proceed to Mart Klaa. As he boarded an open motorboat with a few other passengers in the same boat, Kong prayed out loud in everyone’s hearing, “Lord Jesus, please hold off the storm for a while until we arrive." Kong continued praying for the next two hours of the boat ride.  Immediately upon reaching a “safety zone," strong winds and raging storm came upon them suddenly, but they all had safely reached their final destinations. Seeing the storm, those people riding in the same boat remembered what Kong had prayed before they left the shore, and they all exclaimed, “Oh, Jesus is very powerful!” At this remark, Kong grabbed the opportunity to share the Good News. When he finished, seven more people prayed to receive Jesus! After spending the next few days in Mart Klaa trying to catch fish, he caught absolutely nothing! But Kong kept on trying.  While waiting and hoping to catch fish, God gave Kong more opportunities to share Christ with more local floating villagers. And three more prayed to received Jesus! A total of 15 people prayed to received Jesus in just a short visit to Mart Klaa. Amazed, Kong finally realized and surrendered his will and life to Jesus while accepting and embracing the fact that God is giving him a new occupation, to be a fisher of men…

Kong (middle) praying at Srae Nouy leadership seminar

Upon returning home to Andong Chan and during a “Prayer & Share” time in Syna’s recent discipleship class, Kong excitedly and animatedly described his adventures to the entire class about his recent visit to the floating village. Everyone was amazed and acknowledged that the hand of God was upon Kong. Inspired by the stories and realizing the present needs that Kong’s family was facing, everyone agreed to take up a collection and presented a small gift as a love offering to Kong’s family. In gratitude and with drops of tears rolling down his cheeks, Kong humbly accepted the gift.

In response to the needs and while working closely with Pastor Dy as the middle person, we used some of Work Special fund (that some of you have been faithfully supported) to help repair Kong’s motorbike and purchase some of the basic necessities for Kong’s family. We are praying and looking for creative ways and alternative ideas to help Kong’s family live, but to do it in a way without creating jealousy or a sense of partiality or favoritism from other believers…

Crisis at Home…

On the morning of March 14, after spending two days with our teammates in an annual prayer retreat, we were heading home, an 8-hour road trip, to Anlong Veng. About half-way through, we received news that the local government banned people with foreign passports from five different countries from entering Cambodia, including USA starting from March 17! Jonathan, our 17 years old son, a US passport holder, was supposed to come home for spring break from Dalat School in Penang, Malaysia, March 21-April 5. But if we were to wait until this date, he would have not been allowed to enter Cambodia. Through quick thinking and with our field leader’s support, we bought a ticket and Jonathan was able to come home, arriving safely at 9 pm on March 15! Two days after he arrived, Dalat School closed its campus and switched to online schooling. We are not sure if Jonathan will be able to return to Penang after spring break. We are just grateful that he is with us now!

March 19, after doing ministries in Siem Reap, we were driving home to Anlong Veng when we received news that Syna’s older sister, Nay, who lives in Tacoma, Washington, had fallen off a ladder when attempting to clear out the gutter! Nay suffered a huge laceration on her forehead, broken spine (C2 & C7 vertebrae), some broken ribs, a broken collar bone, punctured lungs, in addition to many small cuts and bruises. My 89 years old mother just happened to sit underneath an apple tree nearby watching Nay work. When seeing the accident, Mom called 911 for help. Nay was rushed to a local hospital as a trauma patient. After enduring a 10+ hours of surgery, she was placed in an ICU care with IVs, a monitor, and chest tubes attached while breathing on her own. The most recent update is that Nay was able to move some fingers and toes! In amidst all of this, Nay’s two adult children (from New York City and from Toronto, Canada) were not able to visit their mother due to Covid-19’s federal travel bans. Even those close family members and friends who are from Tacoma areas, they were not allowed to see Nay, except through phone calls for frequent medical updates from nursing staff. Recently, Syna was able to talk with her family and learned the latest reports: Nay was conscious of the whole situation, and she was able to take in some food. Though the days ahead are still uncertain, things looked hopeful for Nay…

In these days of unknown, we continue to cling on to the hope of God’s faithfulness and in His promised word that “Joy comes in the morning." Thank you for standing in the gap with us and for us in these difficult times.

In Christ the Solid Rock,
Syna & Soeuth

March Update 2020 (part 1)

Dear Prayer Warriors,

At this writing, many Cambodians live in fear of the Coronas virus, especially people who are from big city areas. But for many Cambodians who reside in the rural and remote villages, life continues as normal where small children go schools and adults do their normal farming and agricultural works.  In the times of chaos and confusion, believers in remote regions find comfort and strength as they regularly gather together in small groups at prayer and worship services. As a results, God is working mightily among His people. These testimonies were shared at our recent weekly gatherings…

Sally’s Unexpected Provision…

Sally age 43, a mother of four, peasant rice farmer from Ksaach Ampel village, and only 5- month old believer is very passionate about her new faith in Christ! Having personal experiences with Jesus and being set free from years of an alcoholic lifestyle Sally now has great concerns for the lost specifically her relatives and friends. She was always looking for any opportunity to share Christ with anyone she met. Recently, sensing an urgent burden to bring the Good News to one of her sick relatives, Sally took a risk to make the trip. But a dilemma was before her. Her old raggedy motorbike had no fuel! And she only had 5000 riel ($1.25), enough to cover one liter of fuel with some extra cash to pay for a small bottle of drinking water and for some snacks on the road. At a local gas station, as a young lady working there was about to pump gas, Sally told the girl, “I don’t have enough money with me. Please give me just one liter of gasoline," (one liter of fuel cost 3500 riel). As the young lady proceeded to pump gas, she asked Sally, “Auntie, you seemed anxious. Is everything okay? And where are you going?” Full of concern for her family, Sally told the girl that she was on her way to visit an aging and dying great aunt. Sally also shared, “My aunt is very sick and may not live long. I must tell her about Preah yea-sue before she dies." “Why? And who is this Jesus are you talking about?” inquired the curious girl. Sensing a given opportunity, Sally passionately shared about her own personal encounter with the Living God and about the immediate and total freedom from alcoholism and about the exciting joys she had been experiencing since the moment she prayed to receive Jesus Christ. While Sally went on rapidly telling her testimony, the girl paid close attention to every word. Toward the end of Sally’s story, the girl asked, “Auntie, how much gas did you want me to pump for?” Sally responded, “I told you that I only have enough money for one liter." “Oh well," the girl surprisingly but reluctantly answered, “I was busy listening to your story that I did not pay attention what I was doing. I accidentally filled up your tank (which was 4 liters of gas!). But don’t worry”, she added. “It was my fault. I will cover for the extra fuel. And thank you for sharing with me about Preah yea-sue!” With that said, the girl willingly gave Sally back her exact change.

While sharing her story to everyone in a discipleship class Sally boldly exclaimed, “Preah yea-sue not only gave me the three extra liters of gas, He gave me an opportunity to talk about Jesus to that girl". At Sally’s visit, her aunt and two other family members prayed to receive Christ! Sally promised that she would go back the same gas station to see that girl again…

"Let the little children come to me"

Usually during village Sunday church services, because of the lack of helping hands, Soeuth mostly leads adults and older kids into a time of worship service while Syna keeps the little children occupied, entertained, and engaged with short Bible stories. They are a precious little bunch who always looked forward to Syna’s arrival. But because of their tender ages (1-7 years old) with so many of them (15-20 kids to one adult) and without any adult assistant in the kid ministry, by the time Soeuth was done with each worship service, Syna would be exhausted. This would happen every week, two village churches each Sunday. To get things ready, Syna brought along three big “Bags” full of age appropriate children books, coloring pages, crayons, plastic toy animals, jump ropes, and puzzles or games in addition to animal crackers and gummy vitamins for snacks. Those little kids adore Syna as much as she adores them. Recently, four children from Toul Prich prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord!

Syna's kids ministry at Toul Prich village

A little girl enjoys "reading" children book at Toul Prich village

A Field Trip…

It has been a blessing having Aide Rose helping out with kid and youth ministries at Toul Krous village teaching them English. About 10-15 school aged kids are studying English with Aide five days a week. Recently, we took 10 kids on a field trip to visit one of the ancient temples called Prasat Preah Vihear in Preah Vihear province. Naturally, everyone was excited. It was their first time visiting this place. As words began to spread, more kids want to go on the trip as well. Although some of the youth had prayed to receive Jesus in December, due to family pressure worldly temptations, some of the kids chose to go back to their belief of their parents. Please pray that God soften hearts toward Him.

A field trip with Toul Krous kids

Water and Filters… 

In response to the needs, using Work Fund generously donated by supporters, we attempted to have three wells built in three different villages. However, due to high elevation of the areas, in addition to rocky soil, only one well was successfully built at Ksach Ampel. We will look to other options for the remaining two villages. Meanwhile, the cries for clean drinking water remained. It is such a severe drought right now and people are in desperate need for clean drinking water. Please pray for rains.
At the same time, we want to acknowledge some generous and Godly people (whom we have yet to meet) from Ohio who have been faithfully supplying us with precious Sawyer Water Filters!

A church leader demonstrated on how to use Sawyer filters

Since the establishment of the Anlong Veng ministries (July 2017), we already received nearly 300 filters! Because each filter is small and portable, farmers and villagers were able to bring filters to their fields during the days and weeks spent away from homes during busy times of planting or harvesting crops. To avoid potential conflicts and jealousy from those who do not receive, and to promote ownership from the recipients, instead of giving away for free, we “sell” each filter for 10000 riel ($2.50), about 13 times cheaper than the original price! Recently at a regional church conference Batthambang province, we “sold” about 40 filters. At least 80 additional families put their names on the list for filters. Please let us know if you are interested in supporting this project. We can then direct you to the right contact information.

Church families received water filters

Leadership Seminars…

With all the scares of Coronas virus where international flights from around the world are cancelling, two dear friends (in their late 60’s) from New York City braved their ways to spend two weeks with us teaching leadership seminars to Alliance church leaders at three central sites in the northwest regions. During the workshop seminars, these Cambodian believers and leaders from various locations of the northwest district were like a sponge absorbing every word spoken with Syna was translating. Even with the extreme heat and a day full of 3 or 4 topical sessions/workshops, everyone was alert, interactive, engaged, and actively participated class discussions. The Cambodian leaders were quite impressed at the vast Biblical knowledge and with the down-to-earth characters that visiting friends had toward them. Many Cambodian people had never met a Jewish person before. They only read and learned about Jews from Bible stories, that is, when our friend from NYC, Daniel Mann, came, now everyone of them could proudly claim, “We met a Jew!”

Leadership seminars at Srae Nouy village

Leadership seminar at Batthambang (left) Teuk Chou village (right)

Dates and events needing your prayers…

1. In events of Covid-19, the national youth committees are praying what to anticipate concerning the coming annual Alliance youth camp. Another possibility is to postpone the April conference and reschedule it in mid-August. The problem then, we would be in the middle of a monsoon season!
2. About 30 plus people, due to troubles with transportation and distant locations, arrived late for the December baptism! Since then, more people had prayed to receive Christ. As the result, about 40 people want to get baptized. Soeuth and Pastor Dy along with some leaders are in the process of preparing people for the next baptismal service. Our dilemma: where to find good water for this event!
3. Our son, Jonathan, will come home for spring break on March 21. Please pray that his connecting flights would go smoothly. First time ever this year Dalat offers a two-week spring break. Sadly, some dorm kids whose parents live in Singapore, South Korea and in some other restricted countries, will NOT be able to go home this school break due to Covid-19. Please pray for peace and comfort for these dorm children as they will be separated from love ones and for their disappointed and anxiously worrying families back home…
4. This week in Phnom Penh, we will join other teammates for annual prayer retreat! Praise God that our guest speaker and his wife from Hong Kong were able to arrive into Cambodia. We look forward to hearing God words.

Please share with us what God is doing in your life. Thank you for partnering with us through your faithful prayers and financial support toward Alliance Mission.  We appreciate you.

With a grateful heart,
Soeuth & Syna Lao