Dear Faithful Supporter,
Autumn greetings! Hopefully, you are enjoying the beautiful fall colors as much as we have. Recently, while traveling to different churches on the East Coast, we encountered radiant fall colors along the highways that took our breath away. We cannot help but give praises to our Creator God…
A Joyful Celebration Amidst the Dark, Evil Holiday…
Last month, we shared information about a Cambodian holiday called Pchum-Ben and asked you to pray for the young believer in Cambodia. This is how God answered prayers. Several Alliance churches in the northwest region planned activities on their church properties, transforming this somber holiday into a joyful celebration. The Anlong Veng Firm Foundation Alliance church invited families for a day of fun and fellowship at the church, featuring relay games followed by a potluck meal. Many of their relatives, who had not yet believed, came to participate in the celebration. At the same time, the Living Water Alliance church in Poipet decided to hold a baptismal service in the pond located behind the church property, where 32 people were baptized. While the local villagers were busy celebrating their dead relatives, the Christians transformed this dark and evil holiday into a celebration of life, introducing the Light of the World to lost people so they may find their way into life.
 |
| Soccer kids prepared for baptism |
 |
| 32 people got baptized in Poipet |
Poipet youth sang their special song
 |
| Anlong Veng kids playing soccer in the rain |
Rains & Floods
As expected, the abundant rains from the recent monsoon season (June-August) are causing raging floods among the floating villages. We have just received news that as of October 10, the floodwater in Tonle Sap Lake is already 18 meters deep! One house church (please refer to pictures below) was built 15 meters above dry ground. This week, however, the floor of this house church was 0.8 meters underwater! Please pray for the safety and protection of the hundreds of thousands of families living in the floating village.
 |
| This house church was 15 meters above ground. Because of this week's floud, the floor was 0.8 meters underwater! |
 |
| In dry season, this home church is 15 meters above the ground |
 |
| The house church is underwater resulting from a recent flood |
 |
| A floating house |
 |
| Syna on a boat to visit a floating village |
 |
| Floating during a dry season |
Reminiscing About Old Memories and Familiar Places…
Recently, we had the opportunity to revisit familiar places from our early years in New York. In August, we “swam” in the ice-cold water of Jones Beach, Long Island, NY. On September 27, we took a leisurely walk on the boardwalk of Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, the place where we had our first date 39 years ago, on the same date. And after completing a mission conference week at a church in upstate New York last week, we drove another 2 hours to spend a night at Niagara Falls, the place where we had our honeymoon, 33 years ago. As we enjoyed revisiting these familiar places, we reflected on the faithfulness of God in our lives, how He has preserved and protected us since childhood from numerous dangers. Before we knew Him, He rescued us from the Killing Fields and returned us to the Living Field as instruments for building His kingdom in Cambodia. In all of these and much, much more, we give thanks to our God.
 |
| Visiting Niagara Falls |
 |
| Visiting Coney Island |
Dates & events needing your prayers:
1. Updates on tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border: After being evacuated three times since July 24, villagers from the Anlong Veng and Preah Vihear regions remain unsettled in their homes, as tensions and threats of potential war persist. Some families who have the means chose to leave their hometowns permanently due to the instability and uncertainty of what might take. Please continue to pray for peace along the border. (For more details, please refer to the July and August blogs.)
2. Because of the instability of life along the borders, some families with means decided to send their young children to attend school in other provinces. At the same time, many people had to leave their hometowns to find work in distant provinces. This temporary family separation is an additional strain on their lives.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for the Cambodian ministries. We appreciate you!
In His care,
Soeuth & Syna Lao
