June Update 2023

 Dear Supporting Friends and Family,

Trusting the Lord that this note will find you well. We want to update you on what took place since our last note sent to you. A lot of exciting things have happened. Below are just a few highlights…

Visiting Team from the Metro District…

Metro District team visiting Anlong Veng

As shared with you last month, June 7-13, we had privilege of hosting a team of seven pastors/church leaders from the Metro District from the New York City and New Jersey areas. This was a historical event for us having these leaders visit us and in the church ministries of Cambodia, especially in Anlong Veng. The team had opportunities to teach leadership seminars in Srae Nouy, preach at various village house churches, and participate in various youth and children events including a walk-through visit at two local public schools. Their visit not only brought encouragement and support to us and strengthened our partnership opportunity, it was also a learning experience for the guests. 

Leadership seminars will Srae Nouy

A walk - through visit q two local public schools

Metro Team getting ready to play soccer with AV kids

A Prayer for Healing: God Showed Up!

In May, Po, age 32, standing at 6- feet tall, strong, athletic, a devoted husband and loving father of two small kids, one of the key leaders at Srae Nouy, had accident resulting in a severe herniated disc to his lower back. He was in constant excruciating pain and could barely walk or even lying flat on his back, for more than three weeks! The family took him to various clinics in the areas, but nothing was helping.

On June 9th, shortly after the leadership workshop seminar was completed, we visited Po at his home and prayed for him in faith. After a series of fervent prayers, Po noticed that his pain levels significantly dropped from a “10” to a “7”, then to a “3”, and finally he heard a “POP." After we’d finished praying, Po stood up, began to straight stretching to the left then to the right without any sign of discomfort! We all cheered loudly. Next, Po lifted his right knee, then his left. He began walking! 

Everyone was AMAZED at the power of God at work right in front of us. When Syna spoke with Po a few days later, he was grateful that he was able to finally to sleep flat on his back… Similar healing incident happened also in a floating village, where a lady received significant pain relief immediately after prayed for. And this week, another of similar incident also took place in another church gathering. God is at work making miracles every day. 

A prayer for healing over Po at Srae  Nouy

A worship service at a floating village

Worship service at a floating village

A prayer for healing at a floating village where God showed up.

A Church Dedication at Battambang…

On June 17, we were invited to participate in a church dedication at a remote humble village called Reach Don-koev, in Battambang province. Due to a low budget, the church elders had gone about from place to place asking from anyone for any spare building supplies from the surrounding village families and even from other distant churches. Upon availability, everyone generously donated flanks of old woods, metal beams, including wires and/or other nuts and bolt needed for a building construction. Some workers donated their skills and times of service free of charge, while some even offered to transport donated supplies to the working site. Some families offered to cook and prepare meals while other families donated rice and food supplies needed for the workers. Even with all the generosity from everyone including all donated supplies, the church was still short of a significant amount of fund for purchasing building supplies. After the history of the church and the financial reports were given, the leader to an offering collection. After the money was carefully counted, they collected the exact amount that was needed, $440.00!

Soeuth cutting a ribbon at a church dedication in Battambang province

Members and families of Reach Fon- Koev Alliance church

Leaders prayed for members and for church at Reach Don-Koev Alliance church in Battambang

Dates and Events needing your prayers…

1. June 30, next leadership workshop seminars in Srae Nouy led by a guest speaker from Singapore.
2. July 4-25: Jonathan will visit Cambodia. Pray for precious family during his visit even while we will be working around planned ministry responsibilities.
3. There have been too many incidents where hard issues happened to church families. The situation may not be much, but when hard things happen to poor village families, it was hard not to get involved emotionally and even financially. Some examples of this include a family in Toul Prich who had to pay back a price of a cow when one of their family members accidentally killed the animal, or another family’s precious motorbike was stolen from their house—this was their saving and their only mode of transportation, and yet another family had an acid explosion accident where one family members was severely burned. These were just a few the many domestic incidents took place among the church families. Pray for wisdom as we go about daily visiting church families who are struggling with life and finances—to be able to discern clearly  who to help, when to help, how much to help or not to help at all…
4. The construction building in Srae Nouy still lingering one- the main construction works were done, but the finishing up nuts and bolts may take extra time to finalize it. The church families are very anxious to start using their brand new church building. Also, the Anlong Veng’s library construction building is almost done with the phase 2- the foundation phase. The workers still think that it will all be completed by December 31, 2023, Lord willing…

A most recently monthly kids outreach ministry in Toul Prich

Dropping off kids after a monthly outreach ministry

Please share with us what God is doing in your life. Thank you for your prayers and support. We appreciate your partnership in the Anlong Veng and overall northern Cambodian ministries.  Your continual and generous support to Alliance Mission enables us to remain serving in Cambodia sharing the message of Hope in Jesus to lost people in Cambodia and around the world. Lost people still matter to God…

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna

May 2023 Update

 Dear Supporting Friends and Family,

Warm greetings! We trust you’re experiencing God’s presence and blessings upon your life. Sorry for a delayed update. We‘ve been busy lately…

Family Time in the Middle East…

On May 11-23, we had an amazing visit and a wonderful reunion with our oldest son, Justin, and his family who are serving with Alliance in the Middle East. The last time we were together, it was in late November 2021 in New Jersey! Needless to say, this was a very special meaningful visit and a blessed family (minus Jonathan) reunion. Our two older and adorable grandchildren, Jesse (4) and Maya (2) had grown and changed so much. And the family welcomed an additional member, Levi James, was born on April 25 weighting 9 pounds! When we arrived on the evening of May 12, Levi who was just 3 ½ weeks old had already and had grown out of his newborn outfits and he was so strong enough to lift his head and was able roll over! Levi is bathed with love and adoration from his two older siblings. Words cannot describe the joy we had upon seeing and holding our grandchildren! In addition to spending every precious moment with the family, we also had opportunities to visit a few historical and biblical sites including Petra, the Dead Sea, Jordan River, Baptism site, Mt. Nebo, and some other historical sites. With a newborn baby and two active toddlers at hands, we did not expect that Justin would have time to show us around. But God made it possible for us to visit these many interesting places while enjoyed being with our family! It was truly a special blessing from God.

Enjoying our grandkids at the Middle East

Our three bundles of Joy!

House Dedication in Poipet…

In addition to our trip to the Middle East, we also had a few fruitful ministry opportunities to share with you. On April 28, Soeuth was invited to give a message for an open house celebration at Poipet. Although the couple (the house owners) with their four children are believers and members of an Alliance church in the area, many of their extended family members were not-yet followers of Jesus. At the appointed time, Soeuth gave an evangelistic house dedication message. About 30 people were among the audience all of whom had paid close attention to every word spoken. Among the audience, one elderly man, in his mid- 80’s, was a Buddhist priest. While Soeuth was speaking, he sat up straight and listened to the message. After the service ended, this elder man just followed us at every event, he was following and wanted to sit next us during during a break time or at the lunch table, and he asked many questions about who this “Builder of life/ builder of home” (Soeuth was referring to Jesus) was. Although this prominent elderly man did not make any decision on that day, we felt strongly that the Seed had been deeply planted in his heart.  We pray that he would eventually call on the Name of the Savior before his time on Earth is running out…

An elderly Buddhist priest reading a passage of Scripture at a house dedication service!

Teammates’ Visit…

April 28-29: We had the joy and the privilege of hosting our dear friends, co-workers, and Field Director couple who came to visit us and the Anlong Veng team and ministries. We had known Dave and Chris Manfreds since summer 1995. As newly arrived Alliance International Workers into the Cambodian mission field, we and the Manfred had shared the same house together for one year! Sadly, that was the only time we had ever lived together in the same location in all these 28 years of ministries. Since then, we saw each other  a few times a year but only at conferences or large meetings or in major church events. Their recent visit to our location was very meaningful to us. On Sunday, Dave delivered a powerful sermon at the Firm Foundation Alliance church. Everyone in the audience paid close attention as Dave carefully gave a vivid illustration of what it looks like to be filled with the Holy Spirit. At the end of the service, two people prayed to received Jesus!

Two people prayed to receive Jesus on April 29

Dave Manfred preached at Anlong Veng

          Men Retreat at Anlong Veng…

As soon as we returned from vacation (May 23), we hit the ground running. Even with jetlag and all, we had to get the house ready to receive 14 KEC (Khmer Evangelical Church) members who were traveling from other province to spend a night at our house, the next day! They all came to Anlong Veng for a northwest regional men retreat which took place at the Firm Foundation Alliance church in Toul Prich village. May 25, other people also came from various regions and villages to attend a one-day retreat. This was the first time that the Anlong Veng church had hosted an event for people from other regions. Although it was a Men Retreat, some wives decided to come along and joined the service! 78 people in all participated. The Toul Prich village ladies prepared a two- course Cambodian meals for the hungry bunch. Soeuth spoke about “God’s faithfulness” from Joshua 24:1-15…

Below Are Dates and Events Needing Your Prayers…

1. May 11, while riding in a 3 hours taxi from Anlong Veng to the Siem Reap International airport, we had a long meaningful discussion with our drive, Saron, about religion Saron’s wife, Pheap, and their two daughters are members of the Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance church. As we were about to depart, we told Saron that we would be praying for him. Before leaving Saron turned and said, “You never know. Maybe one day, I might just show up at church to surprise my wife”, then he thanked us and left… On May 23 upon our return from vacation, we made arrangement for another driver to pick up, but for some unknown reason, Saron showed at the airport instead. Again, we had another meaningful conversation about “religious” talk. This time Saron remarked, “I went to church on Sunday”. From what we’d learned, Saron did show up on May 14 to join the beginning part of the service. He left before the sermon was about to start.

   

   Saron, the taxi driver
   
   

2. We were grateful for the opportunity to spend time with family in the Middle East. Please pray for Justin and Katie as they are trying to figure out sleep schedules for the newborn baby and daily routines caring for the two older kids while they (the parents) are still in full time language studies. To their credit, they are doing amazingly well… 
3. Please pray for our youngest son, Jonathan, aged 21, who is living with some friends in central New York and is currently looking for a new job. Please continue pray for his adjustment to life in the States without any close family members nearby.
4. The building constructions for the Srae Nouy church and for the Anlong Veng library had been resumed and are progressing well. From being close proximate to the church fellowship, one worker named Visal, a key welding worker at Srae Nouy has been observing closely how believers interact with one another. His mother is (a member of Toul Prich church) lives her Christian life and seeing how believers related to one another in love and in unity, he recently told Soeuth on the phone, “Pastor, I used to drink heavily while or after work. But since I came to work Srae Nouy (since early February), I haven’t touched a can of beer! Somehow, I just don’t have the urge to drink any more. Also, I certainly don’t want to be a disgraced son to my mother and to you”. Although Visal has not made any decision yet, we believe he is getting closer to the Kingdom of God. Please pray for all the workers for safety at work and for their salvation…



Construction building at Srae Nouy



5. May is coming to an end, and we still have no rains! It is a constant cry from the village people who are praying for rains. Normally, farmers should have begun planting their crops already by mid- May. But this year with prolonged droughts, planting season has been delayed. Some eager farmers took the risk of planting their crops in early May thinking that rain would come. Now, these farmers suffer great loss of good seeds designated for each planting season. At a church leader meeting recently, we anticipating there will be significant shortages of food supplies as early as August or September. The church leaders are already made plans anticipating for the food distribution for needy families…
6. June 7-14: We are excited and looking forward to host a visionary visiting team of seven pastors/ church leaders from our very own sending Metro District! Needless to say, we so thrilled to have them visiting our ministry locations very soon. Pray for their safe traveling and for opportunity to be involved in local ministries.

We are grateful for your on-going prayer and support. Thank you for your partnership in the Cambodian ministries. Your generous financial donation to support the Alliance Mission enables us to remain serving in Cambodia, sharing the message of Hope found only in Jesus to lose people in Cambodian and around the world. We are very grateful to you!

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna

Visiting Petra, Jordan

April Update 2023

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Happy Easter! Hallelujah for the Risen King! We hope you had a blessed and joyful resurrection Day! Below are ministry updates of what took place since the last note sent to you…

Isaan Regional Youth Leaders Conference…

March 23-25: We traveled with two key members of the National youth committees for over 12 hours each way to Ratanakiri province for a one-day youth leaders conference in a village at the northeastern part of Cambodia. There, 60 representatives from 20+ different ethnic minority groups from the Isaan region participated. The purpose of the conference was to appoint/elect new regional youth workers. After prayerfully discussing and considering, 13 names were appointed by the participants and prayed for by the regional leaders. Although Isaan region has many ethnic minority groups, Jarai is considered the dominant people group for this region. Please pray for these 13 newly appointed youth leaders to have unity, a servant heart, and a Christ-like attitude in their services for the kingdom.

13 newly appointed youth leaders for the Isaan region

A Jarai lady with her daily activities

Dara: from A timid teen to a respectful leader…

While we were excited to see that many people participated in the conference, one familiar face drew our immediate attention. During a missionary term service in Siem Reap province back in 1998, we met and got to know a young vibrant teenager, Dara, who was just new in his faith but was always intrigued to learn about God. While Soeuth was concentrating on mentoring and teaching the adults in discipleship classes, I (Syna) worked closely with youth and children of young believing families. In the course of time, we saw these young people grow physically and spiritually while struggling with their ups and down moments. Few from that generation chose to walk away from their Christian faith, but many are still standing firm and walking strongly with God and are serving Him along with their spouses and children. 

In September 2015, Dara married a Jarai tribal girl named Ruth. They now have two children of their own. Because of distant locations, we only saw Dara from time to time at various conferences and in other KEC gatherings, but even in those brief meetings, we hardly had time to connect with Dara on a personal level, until recently… 

Dara and his family

During our recent trip to Ratanakiri, Dara and Ruth invited us to stay at their humble wooden home built on stilts. Through late-night talks and sleeping inside hammocks underneath the house, it was a special time to reconnect with our former student and learn about what God had done in his life. Through this time, we gained a better understanding about Dara’s devotion and commitment to serve God and heard about his passion and concerns for reaching youth and children for God’s kingdom. Through various conversation with other Jarai villagers, we also learned that Dara is loved and respected by the local people for his hardworking ethic and his devotion for loving God and loving people. Many villagers willingly commented, “Dara is a great example for all the men in the village." Currently, both Ruth and Dara are involved in youth and children ministries for their village, where they shepherd over 40 youth and 50 plus children in their community. And to our amazing surprise, we learned that their two boys, aged 8 and 5, were named after our sons, “Justin” and “Jonathan!" When asked why these names were given, Dara quickly answered: “All my life, I’d watched how you love God and how you serve Him. When we got married, I told Ruth that I want our family to serve God just like you, teachers. And I hope that, one day when my boys grow up, they would serve God just like your sons, too”.

Soeuth resting in a hammock

The First Christian Wedding in the Family…

On April 1, one of Soeuth’s nieces, Pisey, got married. She chose a Christian wedding instead of a traditional Buddhist wedding. Through friends’ invitations, Pisey went to church off and on. But in 26 years of her life, Pisey had never once bowed down to worship idols as expected by her family traditional practice. Soeuth had the honor of meeting Pisey and her fiancé three times before the wedding for pre-marital counseling sessions. At the appointed time, Soeuth preached and officiated their wedding. Although family members from both sides are not yet believers, they all sat through the entire service and paid close attention to the message. Both Pisey and her husband, Panneth, lost their father when they were very young and grew up as the youngest children in big families of single moms. Seeing how we live, both Pisey and her new husband asked if we would continue mentoring them even after the wedding. We agreed and immediately scheduled a monthly meeting with the couple. As for the rest of their families, this was the first time ever that they ALL heard the Gospel preached! The seed had been planted. In God’s timing, we pray they would soon have a personal relationship their Maker.

Soeuth officiating a wedding

Phnom Penh Bible Students Visiting Anlong Veng…

On March 31-April 3, our Anlong Veng team had the privilege of hosting 7 students and a teacher from Phnom Penh Bible School during their mission trip. Upon arrival, the visitors received a warm welcome from families of the Firm Foundation Alliance Church. During their stay, the visitors worked alongside with local families to clean up the church property. The team had opportunities to visit and interact with teachers and students at a local primary, to teach kids games/fun activities and share their testimonies at church and even at a local public school! On Sunday, the leader gave an encouraging message to church families while two other team members shared their personal testimonies. Everyone seemed to have a GREAT time. The visiting team enjoyed the interactions and the warm fellowship with local church families so much that they said, “We don’t want to go back!” As they were leaving, soccer kids came running to give them one last hug as they all said tearful goodbyes to one another. All 8 members of the visiting team seemed to agree, “We went to many other short term mission trips before, but this was the highlight of them all." From this event, two youth from Firm Foundation Alliance church decided to go to Bible school after graduating from high school while five members from the visiting team received clear affirmation concerning their Calling to be missionaries. Praise the Lord!!!

Easter Celebration and Baptism in Poipet…

On April 8, after a long day of meeting with the National youth committees in Phnom Penh, we drove 11 hours straight to Poipet for an early Easter Celebration (on April 9th) at the Living Water Alliance Church in Poipet. About 150 people participated. It was a joyful event with warm fellowship and singing. After Soeuth preached, two people prayed to receive Jesus. Church families from other village house churches in Poipet brought their own home-cooked favorite Khmer dishes to share with everyone in a pot-lock lunch immediately after the service ended. There was plenty and many varieties of delicious food. Then in the afternoon, we had another service, a baptismal service where 21 people were baptized! The long road trips driving to and from one location to another were exhausting, but it was very much worth it to see lost people returning back to God. He is Risen indeed…

21 people baptizes on Easter Sunday!

Other dates and events needing your prayers…

1. On April 8th we had a full day of successful national youth committee meetings in the capital city. This was the first in-person meeting we had since Covid! It was refreshing to be able to sit down. discuss and be able to laugh and enjoy one another in fellowship. From this meeting, we came up with a date for the next National KEC youth camp. It will be in Bread of Life Alliance Church in Mondulkiri, November 24-27, 2023. Please pray as the youth all over the country are excited and are saving up money to attend this most anticipated event. And if YOU are interested in sponsoring some of the youth people to attend this youth camp, please let us know. Our desire to see as many young to have opportunity to participate in this conference.
2. At this writing, the entire country of Cambodia is in full festive spirit celebrating Khmer New Year, April 14-16. Due to Covid-19, the all celebrations and all large event social gathers were completely cancelled. This year is the first festive and joyful celebration since April 2018! Because of long school break at this time of the hot season, we anticipate that people will carry on with wild celebration. Please pray for safety we traveling back forth…
3. Soeuth’s 6 siblings along with their extended families from around the country including a brother and his family from Florida—they all came to celebrate this joyful event. The sibling gave a special celebration honoring their 83-years old mother who is also a devoted follower of Jesus. Please pray Soeuth’s relatives many of who are not yet believers… 

   

   Lao's family reunium in Baattambang

4. 

   Soeuth's mom being honored at Khmer New Year

5. With the people are in festive mood for the celebration, all major works including any construction, mechanical or any farming or laboring works had come to a complete stop. This includes the construction works at Srae Nouy and in Anlong Veng…
6. This year, these is a new government mandate change relating to educational system that all public schools now must administer a long summer break from April 1 to May 18! While the children are excited about the long break, this change is concern for the parents about the children future education.
7. We are in the midst of a very HOT season averaging mid to high 90’s degrees every day! The matter made worse as there has not been rained since early December! Please pray for rains.

Village kids hanging out at Anlong Veng Ministry Center's property

Thank you so much for your prayers and your generous financial support toward Alliance Mission which enables us to remain serving in Cambodia, sharing the message of Hope in Jesus to lost people in Cambodia and around the world. We appreciate your partnership in the northern Cambodian ministry. Please share with us what God is doing in our life.

He lives!

Seouth & Syna Lao

At a family wedding.

March Update 2023

Dear faithful supporting friend and family,

A LOT of exciting things have happened since the last newsletter we sent you. Below are some of the highlights and events took place…

Resuming TEE Classes… 

February 17: 58 church leaders from northwest region came together for a full day of meeting and discussions concerning the slow pace and lack of interest in teaching Theological Education by Extension (TEE) courses. TEE course is based on the life and ministry of Jesus through the book of Matthew, a course designed to help and prepare believers to become leaders of their local churches. It is an 18- 24 months course, if studied consistently on a weekly basis. For a while, TEE has been and continues to be one of the main theological courses for training and equipping leaders especially those many leaders who oversee Alliance churches in rural areas. When Covid-19 arrived, classes were postponed indefinitely. But even when things are now back to “normal” again, leaders were slow at resuming classes. Seeing the needs, the church leaders decided to plan this workshop hoping to learn about the root course of it. We are still learning. However, a short time after this meeting, some pastors and church leaders were asking for and ordering discipleship and TEE books to teach small groups in their local region! We are excited to see what God will do among churches as His people are on fire to study His Word once again…

58 leaders participated at a TEE conference

                                                        Leadership Class in Srae Nouy…

February 18: Hout Soheng, our Khmer National ministry partner for the Anlong Veng region, is the main leader for teaching a weekly leadership class in Srae Nouy where 18 students faithfully participated. However, based on a unanimous request, Soeuth was asked to teach/preach in an in- depth message once every 4-6 weeks, depending on our availability at the time. It was good to be with our former students again and to see they are now teaching classes of their own while they remaining disciples of Jesus…

Soeuth teaching at Srae Nouy leadership class

Anlong Veng Team Retreat

February 23-25: The Anlong Veng spent a few days of retreat at Kampot province. We all worked hard in various ministries and thought we deserved some time for fun, rest, and relaxation. But it took us 14 hours to drive each way! To pass time and avoid “Are we there yet?” questions while on the long road trips, we played games (“license plates," or “I spy with my own eye”). Once we arrived, everyone had a great time and enjoyed eating ICE CREAM bought from a local Seven-11 store! This was an AMAZING discovery! Seven-11 stores in Cambodia! Our time at Kampot was cut short due to other planned activities and events awaited us in Anlong Veng…

Anlong Veng team retreat at Kampot province

Evangelism Outreach in Samrong…

February 26: We were invited to share an evangelism message in a village in Samrong, about 1.5 hours of driving from us. Upon arrival, we were surprised to see about 100 villagers already sat down and waited for us! Although some of them listened intensely to the message, no one came forward to receive Jesus. But from that event, five men showed interest in learning more of Jesus. As the result, we scheduled a weekly Living Water discipleship class with them…

Evangelism at Samrong

Spiritual Oppositions & Challenges…

As God was moving and stirring among the people in northern region, every member of the Anlong Veng team experienced oppositions in so many ways throughout the last weeks of February until March. The most attack was on Rithy, Kristie Ty, and their children—our newest teammates who moved to join the AV team mid-January. Since they arrived in Anlong Veng, their family encountered numerous spiritual attacks in forms of snakes (found inside and outside of their house), scary visions and images at nights, repeated accidents among other attacks. Praise God that in the midst of it all, the family was able to see God’s hand in their family. During our weekly life-on-life team meetings and devotions and fellowships, we were able to encourage one another that, “We must be doing something right in God’s kingdom, that is why the Enemy is targeting us!”

Resolving family conflicts

Anlong Veng team's weekly devotion

Then, there was another attack on church families. At least four church locations were facing potential church splits. Some of the issues arose from “sheep stealing” groups who went around behind the leaders’ back in a deceptive way, telling lies and slanders about the present church leaders, and inviting the families to join their group. As a result, there was great misunderstanding among church families, and while some issues resulted from poor communication of the leaders. In early March, we’d been traveling to remote locations trying to bring church families come to an agreement with one another. As of date, two villages are on the road to restoration and unity while we are still working closely with two other villages. We appreciate your prayers for wisdom and discernment on our parts and for unity among the church families…

Sunday School Teachers Conference…

March 11: Syna was invited to teach a workshop course at Phnom Penh for the Children Sunday School Teacher conference where about 130 plus people from around the country participated. This was their first conference in 4 years! Everyone was excited to be there and everyone was absorbing the messages like a sponge. Although our involvement in every meeting or conference a few hours of teaching, the travel time it took for us to get there and to return home is anywhere between 3-9 hours of driving each way! There is no short cut to it. Whenever an event like this takes place, we begin the trip as early as 5 am and return home as late as 9 pm or 10 pm or even later. The constantly prayer for safety on road trips is a daily request.

A New Discipleship Class Started…

March 13: After teaching a new class of Living Water in Samrong, one of the men, Vout, who attending that class asked if we would go his village, Toul Pongroe, to share an evangelism outreach, about a 30- minute drive away, saying he  had invited “a few people" coming. Upon arrival, we saw some emptied chairs and only a few village ladies and some school-aged children. As the appointed time drew near, about 80 plus people showed up! Soeuth began sharing the same evangelism message as shared on February 26. At the end of the service, 48 people prayed to received Jesus! Please pray for Vout, a shied quiet man, aged 50, a new believer, who is also a designated leader for this village, to have courage and ability to lead these young believers to know God’s word, even while he is a student learning God’s word with us on Wednesdays... 

48 people prayed to receive Jesus at Toul Pongroe village

A new discipleship class started at Samrong

Evangelism Workshop & Opportunities…

March 14-15: In response to the needs, the Firm Foundation Alliance church leaders organized a two-evening workshop on how to share faith to and witness to unbelievers. The first evening, 28 people attended followed 32 people on the next evening. The workshop was well received by attendees and they asked for more evening workshops in the near future. During our weekly small group classes, it was exciting to see believers whoo were on fire at sharing Christ with their unbelieving relatives and friends. As they prayed for and sought opportunities to share, God granted their requests a mighty way. Pheap, a member of our church, had two opportunities to share her faith among other parents at a local school during the recently parents-teachers conferences. Savy, another church member, boldly shared his faith and true hope he found in Jesus to hopeless people and to the grieving family while attending a Buddhist funeral recently! A few students shared about a “golden opportunity” to share their faith with their peers, and they event led some of their friends to begin a relationship with Jesus! And so many more stories like these are being shared and heard about and are happening almost every day. Even among the soccer kids, ages 4-14, who come to play at the church field EVERYDAY, they are inviting their friends to play soccer at the “Preah Yea-sue (Jesus) Field!” As more kids come to soccer and church consistently, we started the first monthly youth meeting on March 21 where 29 youth (grades 4-10) showed up! God is truly at work among the people in Anlong Veng and the regions beyond…

Church service at Toul Prich

29 youth attended the first youth meeting in Toul Prich

Evangelism workshop at Toul Prich

Other Dates and Events needing your prayers…

1. As you are reading this note (March 23-25), we should be in or traveling to Ratanakiri province, a 10-hour (at least) drive, each way, from Anlong Veng, for a regional youth conference. This is a time that regional local leaders will vote for their future youth workers for the Isaan region. Pray that God would raise godly leaders with deep passion to reach youth for Christ.
2. Based on the repeated and unanimous request, we resumed a monthly (or once every 4-6 weeks) leadership class at Poipet. Our first meeting was at Ang Salla village, on March 18, in Poipet where 32 people attended.

   

   Poipet monthly leadership class resumed

   
   
3. In early March, the well company was able to build two successful wells for two villages in Anlong Veng. The people in Srae Nouy and in other villages are crying out to God for rains. This drought last so long already. Most ponds are already dried up and we had a number of failed attempts to build deep wells. The same well company said they will try to dig a well at Srae Nouy one more time. 

   

   After many failed attempts, we finally had two successful wells built in Anlong Veng!

   
   
4. The construction building project for the Srae Nouy church is an on-going event, hoping to get it done by mid-April. Due to tight space on the property, the leachers had to tear down an old wooden house and rebuild on a different location to give enough space for the new church building. Most of the workers are NOT yet followers of Jesus, but they had opportunities to hear about Him. While the construction work is going on, some workers took time off to listen and participate in weekly church service and in their evening small groups. The seed had been planted. In God’s timing, we pray they will grow in the knowledge of knowing God and accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. 

   

   Construction project for Srae Nouy church building

   
   
5. At this writing, another group of construction workers are traveling a 9 hour-road trips from Phnom Penh to Anlong Veng. 
6. Mid-April is Khmer New Year, and the students will be on a two weeks break. The leaders are planning sport or fun activities to cater toward these students which will include a friend trip on April 25 to visit Preah Vihear Province, one of the Cambodian historical sites. We are anticipating 20 youth, grade 6-10, will be going. Pray for safety and protections. 
7. Church leaders throughout the northwest regions are teaching and preparing their people for the Easter celebrations as well as preparing some new believers for baptismal service in the coming weeks. This is a big commitment and a HUGE decision for many who are the only followers of Jesus in their house or in their community. Pray that they would not be swayed away or changed their mind as the event is drawing near.

Thank you for your prayers and support. God is doing something amazing in Cambodia and around the world. Thank you for your partnership through your prayers and your generous giving to the Great Commission Fund with the Alliance Mission which enables us to remain serving and living among the Khmer people in the northern Cambodia. Please share with us what God is doing in your midst. Have a blessed and joyful Resurrection Day.

Because He lives,

Syna and Soeuth  

February Update 20

Dear Friend and Family,

Immediately after a busy Christmas season, we launched January 2023 with a whirlwind of church

activities, conferences, and celebrations. These activities did not come as a surprise, but knowing about

it and experiencing it is a totally different matter. Anyways, that is all behind us now. Here are some

highlights of what took place since our last newsletter to you…

Youth & Soccer Ministries…

On January 4th at 3-5pm, we began the first weekly soccer ministry for the Anlong Veng school-aged children.

There were 68 children, ages 4-14, who showed up and were ready to play soccer! Before the game began, Soeuth gathered the group for a short prayer followed by some rules and guidelines of what was expected from them. One of the rules was absolutely no cursing allowed anytime while they were on the church

property. If any swear word is heard, we will stop the game until the guilty person acknowledges his/her

wrong, apologizes to the group—only then can the game continues on. At this, they agreed. Then, Soeuth led them into a time of warm-ups and stretching- they were not too excited about the warmups.

Soccer ministry in Anlong Veng

A few weeks afterward, an average of 45 kids joyfully participate every week. Some even came as early

as 1 pm! Some of the kids attended church on Sundays. Since this ministry began (Jan.4), 14 children had

prayed to receive Jesus! 

Village kids proudly wore their wooden cross necklace after receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

One thing you must know that youth and soccer ministries are among Soeuth’s most passionate ministries. No matter what designated ministries or responsibilities we were involving in the mission field, we had always made room for youth ministry. Those who know us well know that our home is like a revolving door that constant opens and shuts by young people who constantly dropping by. 

Youth & Soccer ministry in AV

If you recall, just one year ago this very month, when Soeuth encountered many episodes of frightful health crises. It began in early February 2022 when he was gasping for air and was fighting for his dear life. After 9 visits to the doctor's offices followed by 4 visits to the Emergency Room and very costly

medications, in late April 2022, he was finally diagnosed with adult onset-asthma. Since back in Asia

(July 4th ) living the warm tropical airs, he is doing MUCH better. He  visited doctors in Bangkok a few

times since July. As far we know, Soeuth’s asthma is GONE! Our God does heal!

Usually, when God was at work, the Enemy was also busy working. On that first day of soccer ministry,

while Syna and some ladies were busy preparing snacks for the kids, a 38-inch cobra was spotted

crawling on the soccer ground! This took place just an hour before the kids arrived! Moum, one of the

church ladies, saw it first, screamed loudly for help. But when help was slowly arriving, Moum quickly

grabbed a nearby wooded stick and killed it! She then gave the dead snake to one of the church elders for food. It was a big snake that weighed 1.4 kilograms!

A cobra on the soccer ground

The snakes are back!

New Teammates...

On January 15th, we welcomed a family unit of new team mates! Rithy and Kristie Ty and their two children moved to Anlong Veng to serve alongside us in northern church ministry. The Anlong Veng (AV) team now increased to seven adults and five children, ages 0-10 years old. We are grateful that God sent us helps. The ministry is growing and we need all the extra helping hand we could get. Seeing the rapidly growing youth ministry, Rithy’s younger sister, Vantha aged 21, is also praying and considering of join the AV team… A week after the family moved in, however, and while Rithy attended an all-day leadership class in Srae Nouy, Kristie saw a” huge green snake” in their kitchen cabinet! Terrified, she called a few people for help. Unfortunately, by the time help arrived, the snake had already gone away. Please pray for

safet, protection, and for peace as Kristie is home most of the time with her hands full of child-care

to a very active toddler boy and a newborn baby girl. These dear little ones are mixed-race kids, half

Khmer and half Americans, just like our own grandchildren who live in the Middle East. Both Soeuth and

I are very proud to be called as their “Taa and Yay” (grandpa and grandma). Having these precious little

people nearby helps lessen the aching in our heart from missing our own love ones…

100th Anniversary Celebrations…

Recently, the Cambodian evangelical churches came together for a joyful celebration for the 100th

anniversary of when the Gospel was brought and introduced to the Khmer people by American Alliance

missionaries, Author Ruth Hammond and David and Muriel Ellison, in January 1923. Jim Hammond,

his grandson, gave a reflection of his grandparents’ ministry while Helen (Ellison) Ellenberger,

at age 90, also gave a reflection of her memories of her parents. 

She also shared memorable stories of her growing up as a bilingual missionary kid in Cambodia… Both Soeuth and I had the honor of translating their messages from English Khmer for the greater audience. At the greater Alliance Family gathering on January 26th, 1,600+ people attended! The celebration committee did an amazing job with all the detailed plannings and preparations which included in country- logistic needs for all the International guests and dignitaries. Then, on January 27-28, 350,000+ people joyfully participated in the 2-day evangelical celebration! There many people who travel some 9 to 11 hours from other provinces just to attend the celebration. To get this celebration ready, every available helping hand was needed before, during, and after the events. Some international visiting guests went on to visit other ministry locations around the country including some churches in northern Cambodia.

Visiting Team…

January 29-Feb. 2, shortly after the celebration, we had the privilege of hosting 8 members of the

Alliance leaders who traveled with us to visit a few church locations including the Kampong Khlang

floating village. Having these leaders visiting our humble remote locations brought much

encouragement to us also to local pastors and lay leaders.

Anlong Veng Team

The Ellenberger visiting Cambodia

Visiting village ministries

Deep Wells…

With regard to building deep wells, after multiple failed attempts, the workers quit trying altogether

because they were losing money on fuel and efforts. Now, the church families search for other

alternatives to get water supplies. There is a strong possibility that village families can get access to

clean city water. However, to do so, the water company requires at least 20 other families with the

same interest and who are willing to cover their share of expenses, $75.00/ per family unit, for the cost

of pipes and other equipment. Po, one of the leaders in Srae Nouy, is collecting names of interested

families who would agree to this arrangement. It may be the best option for them…

Srae Nouy Church’s Construction Building Project…

Februbary 6, the construction building workers loaded up their gears and supplies and travel an hour

from Anlong Veng to Srae Nouy to begin the ground breaking of the Srae Nouy church building. After

years of waiting, the Srae Nouy church families finally begin to see their dream becoming a reality, to

have their very own church building! Lord willing, they hope that the building project will be completely finished by late April, shortly after the Khmer New Year, and hopefully before the rainy season comes

(May). Pray for safety and protection for and the integrity of workers…

A Library in Anlong Veng…

The past few weeks and the next few weeks, we have been scheduling meetings with various potential

building companies to see which company offers a better deal. We had the library plan drawn for Phase

One for the Anlong Veng Ministry Center to build a library with a computer room, two adjacent-

multipurpose rooms under one building construction plan. Once done, this will be the first and might be

the only library for the entire district of Anlong Veng which consists of 162 villages. The library will not

only serve students and teachers from the two nearby public schools, but the entire community will

benefit from it as well. Needless to say, everyone is very excited to have a library coming soon…

Time to Swim, Anyone?

It was during the Covid-19 lockdown months when some church families from Anlong Vend accidentally

discovered a man-made pond about 30 -minute drive from Anlong Veng. Since then, this pond has been

frequently visited by our church families. Because the ground underwater was even, it varied from 1-5

plus meters in just a few mere steps away, we were greatly concerned for the safety of many who don’t

know how to swim. Recently, Syna bought 25 life jackets to share. And what fun we all had. While some

enjoyed swimming, some church ladies harvested freshwater snails and the men threw their fishing nets

out to catch a few small fish for meal. It was refreshing to dip in the cool water in the midst of daily

extreme heat high 90’s to low 100’s degrees Fahrenheit. At this writing, it was 101F outside!

Thank YOU for prayers and support. God is going amazing working in Cambodia. And the recent 100th

year celebration was a great milestone for the Cambodian Christians. And YOU played a major role in

this joyful event through your prayers and financial support as partnership in the overall northern

Cambodian ministries. And we are very grateful to God for you!

Soeuth & Syna Lao