January Update 2026

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.

Soeuth shoveling snow in Ohio

Updates on Cambodia:

1. 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."
2. 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
   
   

3. 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

   
   

   
   
4. 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...



A KEC leader shared and prayed with refugees in Siem Reap

5. 

   Refugees prayed to receive Jesus during war zone
   

   

   KEC leaders visited refugees camp in Siem Reap

   
   

6. As people slowly rebuild their lives, pray for physical and emotional healing, for forgiveness against their neighboring countrymen, for restored hope, and justice.

Family…

1. 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
   
   

2. 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.
3. 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... 

Home Assignment Ministry…

1. 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

December Update 2025 (Part 2)

​Dear Praying Friend and Family,

Merry Christmas! Wish you a blessed and joyous holiday time with family. Thank for your prayers for the ongoing border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. The situation is not yet resolved. 

Refugee Camps...

Over half a million people fled their homes for safety reasons. Some families from Poipet who could afford it stayed with friends or relatives, or at a discounted guesthouse in a distant province. Other displaced families settled in various refugee camps established by the Khmer government. The refugee from the Anlong Veng region took refuge at the Srae Nouy Alliance church, overseen by the local Alliance pastors and leaders. Due to the uncertainty and the constant bombing, people were afraid to venture out. While many families who have the means fled their hometowns, some poor families were still hiding in their village, inside trenches or bunkers. A friend of ours from Battambang province who recently visited one of the camp sites shared this request:

“Please do pray for safety in the refugee camp, for good health, and for medicine, because people are sick inside the camp and no medical assistants. Pray for nurses and doctors who can be in the refugee camps, assisting and providing 24/7 check-ups for everyone there. Thousands of people are settling in the Pagoda temple. All evacuees are settled in different pagodas.”

Refugees camping at the pagoda

Refugees joined in church worship at Srae Nouy church

Refugees settlement in Battambang province

Dangers Everywhere...

We are sharing what we heard from our friends who were at the site. The recent report is that there were dangers for those who fled their homes because of bombing incidents- Dec 19, two bombs were dropped 15 kilometers away from the Poipet border! And there were also dangers for those who remained. An Alliance pastor, Rev Thoeut Chean, along with his wife, who chose to stay in Poipet to “keep the church going and to comfort the sheep,” bravely made frequent daily trips on their old motorbike to visit families in remote areas and deliver food supplies. On one of these trips, “While driving to Ang Salaa village, we saw an explosion about 100 meters ahead of us!” Chean shouted, then added, “It was scary, but we had to visit a family who needed food, and God protected us.” Earlier this week, an Alliance church family hoped to seek refuge inside a homemade trench they had dug, but they discovered a den of poisonous snakes inside the trench! Praise the Lord, no one was bitten. Recently, a friend found this link and shared it with us… 

 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251221-thai-border-clashes-displace-over-half-a-million-in-cambodia

Frightened families from Poipet and Bontey Meanchey province fled to Battambang (BTB) province thinking it would be a safe place to hid. However, at 10am on December 24th, Thailand dropped four bombs in the outskirt of BTB! “Where else can we go for safety? We have no safe place to run to,” stated one of the refugees.

A worker visiting the refugee camp in Battambang province

Pastor Chean visiting a church family in Poipet

A Steadfast Faith in the Midst of War...

We rejoice to hear that, despite fear and war, the few families who remain to keep watch over their homes and properties remain steadfast in their faith. The church services remained even though the attendance was low. The churches are praying that God uses these dark times to soften people’s hearts toward Jesus. In a time of hopelessness and uncertainty, our prayer is that they find their way to the God of Hope…

Worship services amidst war zone

Worship services in Poipet

Hands of Hope...

Recently, members of the National Alliance church leaders visited displaced families who have settled in Srae Nouy and a few other nearby sites to distribute food and offer encouragement to the refugees. Please refer to this short video made by one of our CAMA Services International Workers in Cambodia…  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EEadzz4jkQM

Food distribution at Srae Nouy

Refugee families received good supplies

Holiday & Family...

Christmas is a time when people come home to celebrate the Savior’s birth with their loved ones. Unfortunately, because of the war, many displaced families in Cambodia were scattered in various refugee camps. Many Cambodian families from the northwestern region, who are dear to our hearts, have family members living in different places this Christmas. No matter where they are, because of Christ, they can be one in spirit… 

This Christmas season, our oldest son, Justin, and his family are celebrating the holiday in the Middle East. They, too, are living in a time of uncertainty because of the ongoing conflicts in that region. We appreciate your prayers for Justin and his family as they wrap up the ministry and prepare to return to the US in the summer of 2026 for a home-assignment ministry…

Justin and family celebrated Christmas in the Middle East

Jonathan is home for the holidays!

Jonathan spending Christmas holiday with us

Our youngest son, Jonathan, has been living and working in Hawaii since July. He is doing well, by the grace of God. We are grateful to God for working mightily in the life of Jonathan. He joined us for the Christmas holiday in New Jersey!

Both of us have been extremely busy with traveling and speaking engagements among our partnering churches. We are grateful to God for his protection as we have been traveling every week to visit a new church since early June! After a few weeks off, we will resume spring tours on January 7, 2026.

Dates & Events needing your prayers…

1. Please continue to pray for PEACE in Southeast Asia.
2. We look forward to having Jonathan visit us, Dec 24-31. Pray for a sweet reunion time.
3. Our first spring tours will be at Mosaic Alliance church in Las Vegas, NV. We will have a full schedule of spring tours, visiting a new church every week, from January 7 to May 10, 2026. Pray for good health and for safe traveling by road or by plane. Pray for effective communication as we will share what God is doing in Cambodia with our partnering and supporting churches. 
4. Although the Converge Conference will be in Columbus, OH, Jan 19-21, 2026, we plan to drive from South Jersey to Ohio a few days before and after the conference so we can visit the Cambodian Alliance Churches in the Columbus area.

At this Christmas season, may you experience the true meaning of the holiday season. Whatever you are going through this holiday season, may the Prince of PEACE dwell deeply in your heart and home.

Emmanuel,

Soeuth & Syna

The first snow of the season

December Update 2025 (Part 1)

 Dear Praying Friend and Family

Some of you have been following and praying for the war situation between Thailand and Cambodia. For those who have not heard, we want to provide an update. Based on information we gathered from our Cambodian friends at the sites, the situation is worsening. More than half a million villagers along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been evacuated multiple times, finding shelters in various refugee camps set by the local Cambodian governments. Many of them left in a hurry and didn’t bring along their valuables or basic living items with them when they fled their homes as early as 1 am, 2 am, or 3 am because of the bombing. The most recent fight began on Dec 7 and continues to this day. Bridges, pagodas, homes, schools, and even a few ancient temples have been destroyed by bombs…

Soeuth was on the phone every day, receiving updates from church leaders along the border. Our hearts ached to see that many people we know and love are running for their lives. Here are some links about the situations. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19M6qqs7U/

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C2cw4EMZB/

This is the rice harvesting season. But with the war raging, farmers fled for their lives, abandoning unharvested fields of precious crops, unattended cattle, homes, and other belongings. Over 1,000 schools closed. The women, children, and the elderly have been evacuated; only a few men per village remain to guard homes and properties… Meanwhile, Christians from across the country, along with International Workers from many sending agencies, have been pouring in help to provide shelter, food, and other living necessities. At the same time, news has spread that the Khmer people, mostly the younger generation, are united in their efforts, willingly taking up arms and standing along the borders with their brave soldiers to defend their beloved homeland… And because of this war, there is no Christmas celebration for refugees who fled their homes… As you celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, please pray for peace in Southeast Asia…

Thanks in advance for your prayers,

Soeuth & Syna

November Update 2025

 Dear Praying Friend & Family,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1 NIV)

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we give thanks to God for His protection over our lives, especially during our weekly visits to churches. We are grateful for the ways He protected the Khmer people from harm during the past few months, when they faced uncertainties, especially those residing along the borders. We also appreciate the ways He protected those affected by the severe flood and how He came to their aid through the hands and feet of Jesus…

Updates on Border Tensions…

As shared with you about the border tensions that took place in July, many villagers residing along the northwestern regions of Cambodia had to be evacuated a few times for fear of their safety. Even at this writing, we learned that there were still shooting incidents in three remote villages, resulting in one person dying and three casualties. As a result, villagers missed out on the annual opportunity for planting crops (rice), especially during the rainy season (June, July, and August). Typically, November and December are rice harvesting seasons. However, due to the impact of the wars, some families have no crops to harvest this year. Villagers from the Anlong Veng and Preah Vihear regions are concerned about where to find food to feed their families. Some church members were forced to leave home to find work in distant provinces. Some families reluctantly sent their older children to attend school in the cities or in another province. As a result, church attendance dropped significantly. It is a hard time for all, especially a testing time for the new believers. Some have cried out, “What is God up to?” And "Where is God in all of this?” In the midst of uncertainties, however, we also take joy in learning that small groups continue to meet every week, despite limited attendance. In times of crisis, Christians continue to live a Christ-centered lifestyle by loving God and their neighbors in many tangible ways. Christians, also known as the “Jesus People,” were willing to share their food supplies and personal resources with the needy who live among them. As a result, villagers are curious and willingly coming to church every week to find out what’s going on in the house of God…

Home group meetings remain even in the midst of uncertainty

Church service in Anlong Veng

Villagers fled for safety

Youth fellowship at the Firm Foundation Library

Updates on the Flooding…

We are thankful for modern technologies, which enable us to stay in touch with our dear friends in Cambodia even while we are on home assignment ministry in the US. Even amidst the raging floods, families living among the floating villages are trying to resume their “normal” life, earning income from fishery work. We were thankful that no harm or drowning incident took place. According to the recent report, water levels remain high as expected for this time of the year…

Flood water resistant high...

 

Dates and events needing your prayers…

1. Even in the midst of uncertainty, churches along the borders are planning activities for the Christmas celebrations, trusting God for provision and protection.
2. Please continue to pray for the flood victims and the poor villagers residing along the border. Pray for peace, safety, protection, and provision for those in need.
3. We continue to be busy traveling to visit churches every week. It has been a busy but productive fall tour. We are grateful for the opportunities to share with supporting churches about what God is doing in Cambodia and around the world. At the time of writing, we have four more churches to visit before completing our fall tours. We look forward to having a few weeks of rest before the spring tour begins on January 7, 2026.
4. Since our immediate family is scattered around the world (Justin and family in the Middle East, Jonathan in Hawaii, Soeuth’s family in Cambodia, Syna’s family on the West Coast), we plan to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with friends in Long Island, NY. However, we are excited that our youngest son, Jonathan, will be joining us on the East Coast to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

We give thanks to God for you, dear friend, for your love and support in the growing Cambodian ministries. We are grateful for and appreciate your partnership in our efforts to bring All of Jesus to All the World through your prayers and financial support to the Alliance Great Commission Funds, which enables us to continue serving in Cambodia, bringing the message of Hope in Jesus to lost people. Please share with us what God is doing in your life.

 

With a grateful heart,

 Soeuth & Syna Lao

October Update 2025

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 

September Update 2025

Dear Supporting Friend & Family,

We are so excited that the Fall season is upon us! It is one of our favorite times of the year. Sadly because of our work schedules, we get to enjoy autumn once every four years.  

A “Pchum-Ben” Holiday

The Cambodian annual religious holiday, Pchum-Ben, is taking place in the fall. The word ‘Pchum ' means ‘the gathering of’ and ‘Ben’ refers to merits. Pchum-Ben is a religious holiday when the Buddhist Khmer (Cambodian) people celebrate their ancestral spirits by bringing daily food offerings to the Buddhist temples. Primarily, the belief behind and motive for celebrating this holiday are driven by fear, family obligations, and opportunities to gather merits for the “next life.” By following this holiday practice, Khmer Buddhists are hoping to accumulate as many merits as possible. At the same time, they are still alive, hoping that after they pass away, they will be reborn as a better person in their next life. As a result, even in the midst of extreme poverty Khmer people would save, collect, and even be willing to borrow a large sum of money from distant relatives/trusted friends to have enough for purchasing food supplies to prepare for these required daily offerings. They believe that this is one of the few times when the spirits of their deceased ancestors are being released from captivity and are allowed to roam around the Buddhist temples surrounding birthplaces. They also believe that these ancestral spirits are back on earth looking for food offerings given by their living relatives. Because of this belief, the surviving relatives feel obligated to bring food offerings to as many as seven temples! These food offering practices can begin a few weeks before and after the appointed holidays. The actual dates, according to the lunar calendar for this year’s Pchum Ben takes place on September 21st to 24th. To get the people up early and ready to prepare for daily food offerings, the religious leaders would (in loud, somber, and dirge-like monotones) chant their wake-up prayer songs into microphones every morning as early as 3 am. These loud “call to prayer” or chanting times often repeat every hour, throughout the entire day, and end around 10 pm! As a result, the overall surrounding atmosphere can be eerie, gloomy, and oppressive. During the daylight hours, to keep down the oppressive sounds, we often blasted out praise and worship songs. However, there was little to be done when the chanting took place at 3 am.

Church gathering during Pchum-Ben holiday

Many unfortunate incidences tend to occur around this time of year such as family/personal losses, team conflicts, sudden illness among family members, major accidents on the mission field, or complicated issues within church families. Spiritual warfare is most prominent and noticeable during the Pchum Ben holiday. As a result, this is one of the most testing times for new believers in Jesus Christ because of family pressure to observe the traditions of the holiday. Needless to say, your prayers for the young believers are crucial. Pray that they would remain steadfast with their decisions to follow the One True God, no matter what.

Home Bible study group in Anlong Veng

Road Trips & Good Health 

We have been busy visiting churches with speaking engagements. Every week, we are off to visit a new church, driving 2-6 hours each way. Recently, we came close to a few road-rage drivers along the busy highways. We were so grateful for God’s protection over our lives. We appreciate your prayers for safe road trips and good health.

We are grateful for your faithful prayers and support. Your generous donation to the Great Commission Fund enables us to continue serving in Cambodia, sharing the message of Hope in Jesus to the many who are lost and seeking. To financially support the growing Cambodian ministries, please visit here. We appreciate your prayers and support. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns. And please share with us what God is doing in your life. We would love to hear from you.

With a grateful heart, 

Soeuth & Syna Lao