July Update 2026

Dear Praying Friend and Family,

Happy rainy season! Cambodia is at the peak of the rainy and monsoon season! Almost every day, we experience pouring rains accompanied by strong winds from all directions. Recently, we left home on an errand, forgot to close the windows, and got caught in a rainstorm. Upon arrival, we had a few inches of rainwater flooding inside the entire house! Praise God, besides a few wet items, nothing much was damaged… It has been over a month since we landed back in Anlong Veng. As we continued making rounds to visit villages and families affected by the December war, we learned about stories of how God provided and protected His children in many tangible ways. Here are a few of the stories…

More Than We Asked or Imagined…

Recently, while visiting a family on the outskirts of Anlong Veng, and after receiving and enjoying the warm hospitality of a home-cooked meal, we asked the head of the family, Mr. Oan, aged 63, to tell us more about his faith journey. Oan told us that in June 2019, while living in another province with his wife and six children, a friend shared the news about Jesus with him, but he was not excited and only showed mild interest thinking that Jesus was just another god. Although most Khmer people called themselves Buddhists, they often worship other idols or spirit beings; their rationale is “the more gods, the better." Mr. Oan was no exception to this mindset. Oan continued with a description of his living conditions: “My family was poor beyond description.” He often went into the fields to trap field rats and other wild animals to sell them for meat and money, so he could buy rice and other food supplies for his family. 

One day, even after spending all day in the thick forest, he didn’t catch anything. His family needed food. In desperation and humility, he mustered the courage to borrow a few cups of rice from his neighbor. The mean neighbors did not share their food with Oan. Instead, they mocked him for his poverty. Oan managed to gather wild roots, some green vegetation, and enough insects to nourish his family. In desperation, Oan cried out, “Preah Yea- Sue, if you are real, please help my family." The next day, he returned to the traps he set hidden in the forest, only to discover a huge king cobra was caught in one of his traps! The snake was caught by the head but was still alive. Oan managed to bring the snake back to sell at his village. The money from selling that king cobra was more than enough to buy 50 kilograms of rice, and he even had extra to buy other food and household supplies for his family. In desperation, “I looked to my neighbors in hopes of borrowing 1 kilogram of rice, but was denied,” Oan recalled with a sad memory and then continued, “But when I turned to God for help, He gave 50 times more than I asked.” Realizing that God sees his needs and hears his cries for help, Oan began to put his complete trust in Jesus. 

Oan and his wife recalling the way God provided for his family in times of need

Through his encouragement, Oan, his wife, and six adult children, along with 8 grandchildren, became faithful followers of Jesus. Oan and his family also led about 18 other extended family members and friends to Jesus, where Oan became a shepherd for this small congregation. In March 2025, with encouragement from his oldest daughter, Oan and his wife settled on the outskirts of Anlong Veng. They hadn’t met any Christians and didn’t know about the Firm Foundation Alliance church until recently by chance Oan met a family of believers who introduced him to a local Alliance church. It was during our second Sunday service with the local Alliance church that we met Oan and his family. For the past three consecutive weeks, Oan has been attending church along with his wife and four other family members. During our recent visit to his house, we discussed the possibility of starting a small-group Bible study there...

Oan recalling how God came to his aid in a time of need

Visiting A Refugee Camp…

On July 7, we traveled for three hours with four members to visit a refugee camp where some Khmer Evangelical Church (KEC) members were among those who fled their homes during the December Thailand-Cambodia war in search of safety. About 500 refugee families have been living in makeshift tents since early December 2025! The camp, arranged by the local government, was intended as a temporary settlement until border tensions cooled. Immediately after arrival, each family received a large sheet of taupe plastic for covering, a bag of rice, and some basic necessities. Each family then gathered their own wood, sticks, and bamboo to build their temporary homes because their village hometowns were still classified as an Orange Zone—unsafe to return to. However, seven months later, these families were still not able to return home. During our visit, we noticed that the same plastic sheets the government has received since December were mostly damaged by extreme heat during the dry season and now have cracks and holes, resulting in “leaking roofs” during the rainy season. 

To make matters worse, the food rations received from the local government were lower in amount and less frequent... Normally, farmers take advantage of the rainy season by repairing fields for planting. These refugee families, however, felt trapped inside the refugee camp, not able to return home, having no other options to move forward, and wondering where to find the next meal. Those who had the means left the camp to live with extended family in other provinces, but the majority of them still remain in the camp, waiting, hoping, and longing to return home… 

After seven months of fleeing away from homes, over 500 refugee families are still living in congested makeshift tents

Soeuth shared a message of hope in Jesus to refugee families

At our visit, we gathered some believing families for a time of fellowship, worship, and prayer. We also brought vitamins, over-the-counter medications, second-hand clothing, food supplies, and plastic sheets for some families of believers. The needs were overwhelming, and obviously we could not meet everyone’s expectations. When asked how we can pray for them, everyone said in unison, “We just want to go back to our home."

Visiting this refugee camp hit us hard to the core. It brought back a déjà vu memory, especially for Syna, who had lived inside refugee camps along the Thailand-Cambodia border for almost three years (Oct. 1979 to May 1982). Seeing tents made from blue plastic tarps brought back painful memories of her past. But God, in His redemptive plans over our lives, has made us, who were once refugees, now minister to refugees of another generation, sharing the message of hope in Jesus to those who are without hope…

A family trying to repair their tent from the rain

Dates & Events needing your prayers…

1. July 19: A commission Sunday service for a young couple, Chamroeun and Kim Houn, along with their two daughters, who are answering the Call to serve as a pastoring couple among the church families in Koakspean village. Please pray for their adjustment to life, especially for Kim Houn and their two little girls… 

   

   42 school-aged children joined in the Sunday worship service at Koakspean village

   
   

   

   Chamroeun and Kimhoun along with two daughters answering the call to serve at Koakspean village

   
   
2. July 20-25: We will travel 14 hours from Anlong Veng to join the rest of our International Worker teammates for an annual field forum. Pray for a time of refreshment and renewal in spirit as we receive messages from God. This is also a time when new members of Field Leadership Teams (FLT) will be voted in for a one-year term.
3. August 10-12: Trauma-healing workshop among 30-plus church leaders at Living Water Alliance church in Poipet, northwest Cambodia.
4. August 14-15: Trauma-healing workshop among local police, school teachers, and village leaders at Firm Foundation Alliance church in Anlong Veng, northern Cambodia.
5. August 28: Pastors/leaders and wives seminar among church leaders from northern Cambodia at Popel village.
6. Sept 2: Trauma-healing workshop among school-aged children at Koakspean village, Sorong province, northern Cambodia. 

   

   School-aged children participating in prayer service at Koakspean village

   
   
7. July 5th: We resumed monthly village kids fellowship at our house, where 42 kids participated in relay games, food, fun, and fellowship… 
    42 village children participate in a monthly kids fellowship
8. Please continue to pray for daily discernment as we continue making rounds to visit families in need, especially those who were affected by the border tensions... 

   

   A KEC leader with his wife inside their makeshift tent

   
   

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Your generous and sacrificial giving to support the Alliance Great Commission Funds enables us to continue serving among the Khmer people, sharing the message of hope in Jesus with those without hope. We appreciate your partnership in Anlong Veng ministries and beyond. Please share with us what God is doing in your life; we want to pray for you as well. 

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna