Dear Faithful Supporters,
As we wrap things up, this is the last update we're sending you from the States for this year. It has been an exciting and productive home assignment year. Altogether, we visited and spoke at 48 different churches during this furlough year, including 9 Cambodian Evangelical Churches (CEC) on the East and West coasts. Since June of 2025, we have gone to a different church almost every weekend and have had a great time reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends, and supporters. We were grateful for the many opportunities to share with church families about the amazing work God is doing in Cambodia and around the world. We look forward to returning to another three-year term serving God among the Khmer people in northern Cambodia.
An Unexpected Email…
Recently, after we had finished packing and lifting heavy bins of all our stuff up the stairs to the storage area for residents, we received an unexpected and shocking email notifying us that the storage area would be discontinued effective July 1! On such short notice, where would we find another place to store our things for the next three years? We were getting ready to visit our son and his family in Minnesota in a few days! After a few sleepless nights filled with concerns and prayers, God led us to one of our new friends, who happened to have an extra, unused shed, a spacious place available for storage… only 15 minutes away! Even in the pouring rain, with his help, we were able to move and store away all our things in less than two hours! Our God is a Way-Maker indeed!
Visiting the Cambodian Churches…
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The Cambodian church leaders prayed for our return trip to Cambodia
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As mentioned in our April updates, Soeuth accepted additional invitations to preach at two small Cambodian Alliance congregations in north and south Philadelphia. The two churches focus mainly on the first generation, where the Khmer language is spoken. As a result, hardly any youth or young adults were present. Praise God, a family of leaders from South Philadelphia is intentionally inviting youth from the local Cambodian community to have fellowship at their home. Pray that God raise up the next generation of the Cambodian churches. In his parting message for the congregations, Soeuth encouraged the Cambodian leaders “not to become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up…”, (Galatians 6:9). It was very touching when the leaders called us forward to lay hands over and prayed for us as we’ll return for another missionary term in Cambodia…’
A Family Reunion in Minnesota…
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The family’s family- minus Jonathan
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After the Cambodian church service in South Philly, we left for an evening flight from Philadelphia to Minneapolis, arriving late at night on May 24. Sadly, a few days before we arrived, Katie’s 87-year-old grandmother passed away to be with Jesus. The house was full of family members coming for the funeral. As a result, we stayed with kind friends in another town about 20 minutes away. These friends not only opened their hearts and home to host us, but they also let us drive their vehicle back and forth so we could visit family during the day. On our first day of reunion, Justin drove his family to visit us. With great anticipation, we anxiously stood by the front door waiting for their arrival! It was a pure joy to finally hug our grandkids again! On our first day, after exchanging warm hugs and kisses, Soeuth and Justin took the kids to a local park while Syna chatted with Katie at home and prepared Cambodian dishes for everyone. For the rest of that first day, we strolled in the park, watched our grandkids happily climbing tree branches, and caught crawfish in a local stream! We found a stray turtle and spotted a wild turkey along the path! We spent the next few days visiting a zoo, playgrounds, and parks. We also went fishing at a nearby lake, visited an aquarium, enjoyed rides at the Mall of America, and feasted on yummy treats. We enjoyed watching the excitement in their eyes and the innocent joy and laughter from our precious little ones. We had hoped to meet the newest grandson, but God has other plans, and His timing is always perfect. We were grateful for the four precious full days we had with our grandchildren…
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| Our precious grandchildren |
Looking back, all these unexpected surprises did not happen by chance. It was God’s arrangements all along. Returning to the US a month early, Katie, our daughter-in-law, was able to see her dearly beloved grandmother, Nanna, one last time. With a house full of people at Fridley, MN, people who came for the funeral, God opened another home for us to enjoy our sweet family in Maple Grove, MN. In His lavish love upon us, He even added extra bonuses by sending us a stray turtle and a wild turkey on our path…
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| A nice surprise |
Dates and Events needing your prayers…
- When the time comes, pray for a smooth delivery for the new grandson.
- For the next few days in New Jersey, we will be busy packing, putting things into storage, and cleaning up the house for the next family to move in by 4 pm on June 1st! On June 1st, we are moving from South Jersey and will stay overnight with another friend in a town closer to the airport. They will take us to the airport…
- We will depart at 6:30pm from Newark Liberty International Airport on June 2nd. If all goes well, we will arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport by noon on June 4th. Pray for a smooth journey and that all the suitcases will arrive safely.
- June 5th, some young people (whom we discipled during our 13 years serving in Poipet and who are now living, working, or attending school in the capital city) are planning a welcome party for us at the Family Home by the C&MA Office in Phnom Penh. Hopefully, we can stay awake to greet everyone… And on June 7th, we plan to drive 9 hours toward Anlong Veng... Please pray for strength and stamina for what awaits us in the upcoming days ahead…
Thank you for all you have been very faithful in your prayers for and partnership with us in the growing Cambodian ministries. We appreciate all your love and support. We will keep you posted of what going on after we return to Cambodia. Meanwhile, please share with us what God is doing in your life.
With a grateful heart,
Soeuth & Syna Lao
