December Update 2024

Dear Faithful and Supporting Friends, 

Warm Christmas greetings from Cambodia! We trust you are experiencing the true meaning of the Christmas season this year.

Chhen’s Faith Journey…

Recently, my husband, Soeuth, and some church leaders braved the dusty road on their motorbikes to visit some new believers living in a remote village on the outskirts of Anlong Veng. As they kept driving about 5 kilometers away, they noticed that the fields on both sides of the roads were filled with red landmine signs! As they kept moving toward the destination, fields of landmines surrounded the village they were visiting! Fear and doubt caused them to wonder momentarily if it was worth it or wise for them to make such a risky trip. Promoted by the Holy Spirit and the desire to share the Good News of Jesus with lost people, they kept moving forward…

Fields and landmines

Upon arrival, Chhen, a 40-year-old father of three and a new believer, radiantly welcomed the visitors into his humble wooden home built on stilts. As the visitors were escorted to sit on a broken wooden bench underneath the house, they began to chat lively. Chhen was overjoyed and shouted repeatedly, “You came all this way to visit me! I am so blessed to have you in my house!” As the conversation deepened, Chhen was encouraged to share his faith journey…

In the spring of 2016, upon release from prison in Thailand, Chhen, along with hundreds of other former prisoners and illegal migrant workers, were brought back into Cambodia through the Poipet International Border by truckloads. “The officials just dumped us off at the border and let us find our way back home.” Having no money to buy food and no other way to contact his family in Anlong Veng, Chhen was desperate and hopeless. Chhen thought that if he could have money to buy food, he would be willing to walk over 200 kilometers away toward his hometown in Anlog Veng. But God had an even better purpose and plan for Chhen. He guided Chhen to a group of Alliance believers (*) who happened to be there to help the immigrants settle back into the country. “These Jesus people were so different from any other group I've ever met. They were unusually kind to me. The Jesus People gave me food and clothes and bought me bus tickets so I could come home to Anlong Veng.” As he reminisced his story, in tears of gratitude, Chhen went on to share, “They told me that it was because of the love of Jesus that compelled them to share what they had with me.” Shortly after that encounter, upon arriving safely home in Anlong Veng, Chhen announced to his family, “I must find the Jesus People.” 

Eight years went by, and Chhen continued to struggle to find work. He often wandered around from one town to another, looking for any job where he could earn money to feed his family. As he went about from place to place, he always asked if anyone knew about the Jesus People. Recently, Chhen met old acquaintances who happened to be members of the Firm Foundation Alliance Church in Toul Prich. Through their connections, Chhen was hired as a construction worker building a fence at the Anlong Veng Ministry Center. While working and fellowshipping with other church families, Chhen prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord in early November. Having received a Bible shortly after his conversion, Chhen began reading it nonstop. He even brought the Bible to work so he could read it during his lunch break! When asked about his favorite passages and why, Chhen quickly mentioned Matthew 25:35-40 because “that passage described me! I was hungry and desperate to find my way home, and the kind Jesus people from the Poipet border gave me food and sent me home. As long as I live, I will never forget their kindness.”

Chhen, in pink shirt, along with construction working buddies, attended a church service.

{* explained: In the spring of 2016, I, Syna, along with members of the Living Water Alliance church from Poipet, and in partnership with other like-minded- NGOs, in response to the needs, set up tents along the Poipet border and prepared care packages for handouts to hundreds of illegal immigrants who were brought back into Cambodia from Thailand. Their situations were dire and desperate. For those with immediate medical needs, we treated them on the spot or sent them to local clinics or referral government hospitals by ambulances. While some team members helped with legal paperwork, others contacted families and arranged for public transportation to help these immigrants safely return home. The whole situation was overwhelming and chaotic for everyone. They were desperate people in a time of great need. We, the volunteers, showed up to give help in whatever ways God inspired us to do at that moment and had no idea of what the outcome would be. But God is faithful. Nothing done in Jesus’s Name was in vain. The result of Chhen’s life story is an inspiration and a fresh reminder of Colossian 3:17, that ‘whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus’…}

Since his conversion, Chhen has been sharing his faith with his family and neighbors. At work, he is also sharing the reason for hope that can be found only in Jesus with other workers. As a result, other workers began to show interest in Christianity one by one and asked for their own Bible! This Christmas season, Chhen and some men from the construction working crews prepared a special song to be sung at the Christmas celebrations at Srae Nouy on Dec 29th and Firm Foundation Church on Dec. 31st. This is the first Christmas celebration for most of these working men. 

Construction workers attending church during Christmas season

Looking back on the dusty road trip, surrounded by “Danger” signs in fields of landmines, Soeuth was glad he did not follow his humanly fearful instinct but instead went on to visit Chhen’s home. It was a risky, dangerous road trip, but it was worth taking. 

Dates & Events needing your prayers…

1. At the time of this writing, we have already participated in six Christmas celebrations in various northwest regions. We still have more events to participate in before the end of the year. Pray for safe traveling and receptive hearts. 



Local villages are busy working at the Anlong Veng Ministry Center

2. Inspired by personal testimonies, such as Chhen's, other construction workers are interested in Christianity. They asked each other questions about life and faith. 
3. Pray for good health and continued strength and stamina as we are still in the middle of a busy Christmas season.

Please share with us what God is doing in your life. We appreciate your ongoing prayers and financial support for the Great Commission Fund, which enables us to continue serving in northern Cambodia and sharing the message of Hope in Jesus with lost people.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Soeuth & Syna

November Update 2024

Dear Faithful Supporting Friends and Family

Happy Thanksgiving! We have been extremely busy with ministry and family matters for the past few months. By the grace of God, things are beginning to “slow” down a bit. In case you were wondering, below is what has occurred since our last update… 

A Timely Visit...

Syna visiting her aging mother

From September 11 to 26, I (Syna) took two weeks off to visit my aging mother along with other family members in Washington State. My mother was battling a health crisis. Upon arrival, I was shocked to discover that other family issues needed immediate intervention. Only God knows. His timing for my visit was crucially necessary and meaningful. As of November 1, my mother and older sister have a reliable home health aide to assist with their daily basic needs. Praise God for his timely provisions.

Having a few extra days, I found discounted tickets and flew out to visit our youngest son, Jonathan, who lives with relatives in Palm Coast, Florida. Since his move from central New York to Florida in May of 2024, we assumed that Jonathan was settling well in his new location, living with relatives, and working at his new job. However, upon my arrival I was once again shocked to learn that Jonathan had struggled to adjust to his new environment. Desperate, I cried out to God for help and asked a few friends for prayers. And God sent help in various ways. I connected Jonathan to a few godly families from the area who understand third-culture kids (TCK). To this day, Jonathan regularly meets with these families for fellowship along with social and emotional support. Looking back, it was God who sent me out on a mission to help my family in Washington and then help our son in Florida. It was an emotionally stressful visit, but I was glad I went…

Enjoyed a meal with Jonathan

Meaningful, Impactful Presence

As soon as I returned, we hit the ground running. In addition to the long and detailed process of preparing for the library dedication and the KEC youth camp, we hosted three visiting teams from our partner churches in the US, one after another. Each team arrived between and during scheduled events. Each team brought their unique gifts and talents to work alongside us, making our presence meaningful and impactful within the local community. With the support of our visiting teams and the hospitality of the local school principals and village leaders, we had opportunities to conduct workshop seminars in three public schools! A team specializing in trauma care did sessions with students, helping them identify and deal with trauma-related issues. While a second team taught basic hygiene, the third team taught the “Danger of the Internet.” 

A visiting team teaching trauma care to students

In addition to teaching workshops at the public schools, each team had unique opportunities to interact with students and teachers in various capacities. Although meeting guests for the first time, students were noticeably comfortable working alongside the visitors when painting their classrooms, cleaning the inside buildings, cutting grass around the ground at the Anlong Veng Ministry Center, getting ready for the library dedication and for the youth camp, fellowshipping/gaming, and playing soccer at our newly build soccer field. We had opportunities to share the Good News briefly, even in public school settings! As a result, at the end of their visit, the teachers, students, and event village leaders invited the teams to “Please, come back again soon!” 

Teaching basic hygiene to public school students

Teaching "Danger of the Internet" at school

The Dedication of The Firm Foundation Library

Soeuth cutting ribbon at the library dedication

On the appointed day, early morning of November 8th, 300+ people showed up for the dedication of the Firm Foundation Library, including 150 students dressed in uniform from 4th-9th grade, their teachers, two village leaders, 80+ church leaders from around the country, and local official dignitaries. When it was time for the service, the Trapang Krasang village church kids beautifully performed a traditional “Blessing Dance” followed by five dignitary speakers. One of the key speakers was Rev. David Manfred, the Cambodian Field Director, who delivered a powerful 10-minute message about how Christians (also known by the locals as the “Jesus People”) responded to the “Loving God & Loving Their Neighbors" message and as a result, this library was birthed. One of the dignitary speakers, who was not a believer, rightly commented about the name chosen for the library. He said, “Since wisdom and knowledge can be obtained through reading, how fitting it is to have a library filled with books with a ‘Firm Foundation’ name attached.” 

Students with dignitaries at the library dedication

As I sat and listened to all the speakers, I could not help but reflect on a personal experience on April 17, 1975, when Anlong Veng was the headquarters for the Killing Field regime. In this three-and-a-half era, over two million Khmer people were killed just because they were educated. Today, by the grace of God, this once blood-soaked land is now filled with life where knowledge and wisdom are also added… At the end of the dedication service, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, everyone enjoyed a grand tour of the beautiful library currently opened to the public. A three-course meal was immediately served to all the adults and dignitary guests, while each student was sent home with a packed lunch box and care package of school supplies.

Local dignitaries toured the newly dedicated library

300- plus people attended the library dedication

The KEC Youth Camp…

Nov. 14-16: With growing anticiaption, the KEC annual youth camp dates were approaching fast. At the appointed time, church people, young and old, began to arrive at the campsite in one vehicle, one motor, and one bus after another. Finally, on Nov. 14 at 4:30pm, 630 people came and registered for the youth camp. Those who arrived early had an advantage in setting up their sleeping tents or camping gear, and they graciously offered helping hands to those who came later. About 150 tents were set up to accommodate enough sleeping spaces for all the campers. After the first dinner, which began at 5:30 pm, the evening service started at 7 pm. The Srae Nouy youth had the honor of opening the camping event with a traditional “Blessing Dance.” The camp consisted of five main events, five keynote speakers, and four seminar speakers. Each keynote speaker was to give a specific message that answered the camp theme: WHO AM I?

630- plus people attended the KEC youth camp in Anlong Veng

In addition to the five main events and four workshop seminars, campers had opportunities to participate in relay games, soccer, and volleyball competitions, where awards and trophies were given to first, second, and third places. The Anlong Veng girls received first place in the girls soccer competition, and the Srae Nouy girls came in second place. Due to intense heat waves, some youth suffered various minor injuries, including a few heat strokes. 

Soccer teams prayed before a competition

There were a few highlights from this camping experience: We had many more volunteers than in any previous events. About 50-plus people, primarily the campers' parents, approached us and said, “Just tell me what to do.” With all the extra volunteers, the youth committees set up stalls to sell food, ice coffee, soft drinks, and snacks to all the campers, including the camp’s t-shirts. Overall, we raised almost $2,000 to help cover the cost. The dates which the camp took place coincided with a national holiday when many people would instead visit Siem Reap or Phnom Penh for a Water Festival holiday. November was a typically busy rice harvesting season, where every helping hand was needed at home. We didn’t anticipate many people would attend, but 630 of them came! After each main event, there were opportunities for altar calls. About 20% of the campers stood up to recommit their faith and allegiance to God.

Campers participated in workshop seminars

AV girls getting ready for a soccer match

Other Dates & Events needing your prayers…

1. Please for the many Christmas celebration events scheduled throughout the entire month of December. So far, Soeuth already accepted four Christmas speaking invitations. 
2. The Srae Nouy church will combine its Christmas celebration and a church dedication ceremony on December 29. The Firm Foundation Alliance church in Anlong Veng will have its celebration on Dec. 31.
3. Each celebration allows church families to invite their friends and relatives to church. Some of them will be hearing the Good News for the first time. Pray for receptive and responsive hearts.
4. With all our busy time hosting teams, running camps, and working in other ministries, Soeuth and I picked up the common cold, which seemed to linger longer than expected. Pray for complete healing before we embark on another season of a busy Christmas season.

Please share with us what God is in your midst. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer support and partnering with the Cambodian ministries. We are very grateful to God for you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna

Visiting the floating village