Dear Supporting Friend and Family,
Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration with friends and family. We apologize for the delayed update. We started the new year running at full speed, with lots of activities and traveling. After attending the Converge conference (Jan 19-21) in Dublin, Ohio, we stayed a few extra days to visit the River of Life Cambodian church in Columbus, only to be stuck in the area due to a recent snowstorm.
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| Soeuth shoveling snow in Ohio |
Updates on Cambodia:
- Praise God that the war is over (at least we hope so, for now). According to the reports from our Khmer Evangelical Church (KEC) leaders from the northwest region, 90% of church families returned to Poipet. However, for the KEC churches in the Malay, Selaa Khmer, Beong Beng, Sampoev Loon districts and many other villages along the border, the refugees who fled their hometowns have not yet returned. Only 80% of the families in Anlong Veng returned home. Many are still fearful of another “potential war."
- Some families who were from Preah Vihear province gathered courage to return to their villages, only to discover their homes were burnt or severely damaged by bombs. Their hometown, once a place of safety, became a dangerous place to visit. One man shared, “I became a thief in my own hometown” when he tried to sneak into his home in Choke Chey village to gather farming supplies. The roads to his village were blocked by razor barbed wire!
Razar barbed wire blocked off paths to Cambodian villages 
Cambodian homes destroyed by bomb - Having lost opportunities to farm or work because of the war, farmers along the border are now facing another major crisis: lack of food and no resources to rebuild/ resume life among other things. Some families were brave enough to return home only to discover their valuable belongings (such as motorbikes, tractors, and many valuable farm tools) were stolen, and their homes were destroyed or severely damaged by bombs. The same question was repeatedly asked: "How can one resume life after this?"
Ang Salaa families unable to return home 
- However, God is also at work during this dark time. Many refugees who fled home were cared for and sheltered by Christian homes and churches. Christians from Battambang and Siem Reap provinces sent workers to care for refugees who had taken refugees at Buddhist temples. In the darkest moment, Buddhist people saw the hands and feet of Jesus at work through the lives of Christ's followers. Refugees received food, drink, medicine, and clothing, as described in Matthew 25:24-40, and many people gave their lives to Jesus as a result...
Refugees prayed to receive Jesus during war zone 
KEC leaders visited refugees camp in Siem Reap - As people slowly rebuild their lives, pray for physical and emotional healing, for forgiveness against their neighboring countrymen, for restored hope, and justice.
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| A KEC leader shared and prayed with refugees in Siem Reap |
Family…
- During a Christmas break, our youngest son, Jonathan, came from Hawaii to spend a week with us in New Jersey. We had a great time with him: explored New York City for a day, walked the boardwalk along Atlantic City, Jersey Shore coast, spent a night in a cottage at a local horse farm, played board games into the late evening, and ate Cambodian food… For the past few years, while we were still in Cambodia, Jonathan went through a long period of challenges related to family separation and transitions. Many of you prayed earnestly for him and God is working mightily in Jonathan’s life. He is doing much better and enjoys living and working in Hawaii. Jonathan still has a long way to go, but we firmly believe that he is on the right path to recovery, thanks to your prayers, love, and support.
Exploring NYC with Jonathan - Justin and Katie, with their 3 1/2 kids, are doing well. Yes, they are expecting another boy by the end of May! Initially, they were to return to Minnesota in June, but in light of the pregnancy news, they will return in April instead. Lord willing, we hope to visit them in Minnesota in late May, before we head back to Cambodia.
- By the grace of God, Syna's elderly mother (94) and Syna's older handicapped sister (72) live in harmony together under one roof, in Tacoma, Washington State. Both are doing well, considering their ages and medical conditions. A home healthcare worker attends to their daily needs. Kind local church families and distant relatives from the areas often dropped by to visit and bring them home-cooked meals. We plan to see them one last time, in late May...
- Our home assignment, “spring tours,” began on the first week of January with 11 inches of snow! We have a full and busy schedule ahead of us, visiting a different church every weekend until May 10! We appreciate your prayers for safe traveling and good health as we visit churches.
Please share with us what God is doing in your life. Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. We are grateful for your ongoing partnership in the Cambodian ministries bringing the message of Hope in Jesus to lost people in Cambodia and around the world.
Blessings,
Soeuth & Syna Lao
