May Update 2021

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the moms! Trust you had a blessed weekend full of love and joy surrounded by family members. Before preaching a Mother’s Day message at Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance and recognizing the present holiday, Soeuth asked all the mothers to stand up while the church families took turns to give their words of appreciation to the honoring moms. As the words of appreciation poured out one after another, one mother cried her tears of joys saying, “All these years of raising five children (4 teens and a toddler), this was the time I had ever felt appreciated. And I am so touched by your loving gestures."

Covid Updates…

As one of IWs teammates were saying, “It took a while for Covid to move around to our part of the world and it finally came to Cambodia, but it came like a storm!” Last year with mild strain, there wasn’t much concern and there were zero deaths. This new strain that started around early February has left the local Cambodian government a little shaky about how to weather this storm. Based on local reports, since February 2021, there have been 110 deaths. And hundreds of new cases are being discovered since then. As a result, the local government has been imposing restrictions of several kinds: curfews, travel bans, and lockdowns especially in many locations of the major city areas. During the lockdown, people were not even allowed to leave their home premises! It was especially more challenging for families with small children who needed to buy baby supplies and other basic needs…

The on-going problems also took place in Malaysia where our youngest son, Jonathan, is attending school. With less than threes weeks to the end of school year and during final exams weeks with SAT tests and all, (effective May 10-23) the Malaysian government ordered a mandatory complete lockdown of all International, public, and private schools! Because the increasing Covid challenges, as a last minute change decision, we made a quick change with regard to our family’s traveling plans this summer: Jonathan will fly out from Penang directly to New York City JFK airport, on June 3, where some kind friends from NYC will meet him at the airport and will keep him with them until we arrive, on June 18. This will be Jonathan’s first time traveling long distant alone and while this on-going Covid pandemic is still in effect. We appreciate your prayers for smooth transitions…

Food Distributions and Other Provisions…

As prolonged restrictions and travel bans continue, people whose livelihood depend entirely on daily income (which under normal circumstances were earned from labor works) were desperately crying out for help! Many families had run out of food! In partnership with some local church leaders and using the money our Work Fund account (which some of you had generously donated) we organized two rounds of food distributions for 145 hungry families (85 families from remote villages in the Srae Nouy region and 60 families from the floating villages), with each family receiving 25 kilograms of rice and bag full of cooking ingredients and dry food items. 

In addition to the food distributions and upon the urgent requests from some trusted local key church leaders, we used our Work Fund to pay for the cost of tin roofing supplies in the repairing and rebuilding of the house-for-the poor construction projects for two widowed families. Before the help came, these families with small children were living under leaky grass roofs with see-through walls. But now, thanks to your generous support, they have a dry and safe shelter for their families. One elderly widow from Andong Chan village, who was also raising and caring for two orphan grandchildren, tearfully expressed her gratitude, “Thank you for giving me and my grandchildren this beautiful roof! From now on, my grandkids do not worry about putting buckets under the leaky roofs any more! This rainy season, we finally have a dry home to stay in. Thank you Jesus for giving us a new roof!”

Two widowed families received new roofing supplies

Thanks also to a very generous donating church from Hong Kong. Now Mrs. Rate from Andong Chan village has a new mechanical cow! The gift arrived at a perfect time as the rainy season was upon us. This is also a season where farmers begin to plow and prepare their fields for rice planting…

Mrs. Rate's new mechanical cow

On behalf of the 145 desperately needy families who received rice and food supplies, the two poor widowed families who received new roofs, and Mrs. Rate who has a brand new mechanical cow--- we want to express our deepest gratitude to you, our dearly kind, generous, and faithful supporters! Your sacrificial giving, partnership in the growing Anlong Veng ministries through prayers and financial support, and on-going partnership with the overall Cambodian ministries-- give new meanings to the poor and needy of what it's like being the heart, hands, and the feet of Jesus to those who were lost and without hope. Because of your involvement, these people have opportunities to meet and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Thank You!

145 families recently received rice and dry food goods

Sharing Jesus At Work…

In early May, with approval from our field leader, we began the fence building project around the Anlong Veng Ministry Center’s property. Due to limited budget and availability of funding at hand, instead of hiring expensive, professional construction workers for the building of sturdy cement fencing (how it was typically done in another church building projects) this time we chose to build logged-metal-netted fencing. The decision came about with two-fold benefits in mind. The first benefit is that at the end of the project, the fence construction would not appear to be extravagantly or highly above the poor communities of the locations. At the same times, this logged fence is safe enough to keep away potential thieves and/or any unwanted stray animals from destroying plants or young trees growing inside the property area. The second benefit is that many local village people (who currently are in desperate need of hired labor works) receive opportunities to earn small incomes to support their families. 

Soeuth and some local men putting up the logged fence

At the end of the working week, the workers received equal payment by the number of holes in the ground they each had had dug and the number of logs they raised up. But to run this project effectively and smoothly, hiring a trustworthy Christian foreman was crucial. After much prayers, God gave us Nee, who became an overseer for the overall construction of this logged fence project. Nee (age 48) was a former Khmer Rogue soldier who after watching his wife faithfully live her Christian life for two years, decided to be a follower of Jesus in the fall of 2020. 

Nee and Soeuth at the January baptism

He was one of the ten people who got baptized on January 31 at Toul Prich. With his excellent background as a handyman and a wooden house builder, in addition to his dry and infectious humors, Nee keeps the work place fun and enjoyable. Nee often keeps a stack of Christian tracts available for anyone who wants to read. Although many of the workers are not yet believers, they have had opportunities to hear about Jesus from Nee. The workers also heard the gospel from Nee’s favorite’s portable MPS bible radio which he would always carry around with him everywhere. 

Last week, while Soeuth joined the men in the logged fence building project, the discussion topic at that moment was, “The power of healing done by Jesus, was it real?” Seeing the opportune moment, Soeuth shared about the miraculous healing biblical stories found in Scriptures. After intensely listening to the Bible stories, Poy, one of the workers agreed, “Yea, I can see that what you are sharing is true. Anyone who lives in Toul Prich can testified that Noun and Kane were sick, especially Noun. But now, after she believes in Jesus, her sickness is no more!” After this, Soeuth invited Poy to come to church and told him “Why not give Jesus a try." Though interested in the bible stories, Poy politely declined. Please pray for receptive hearts of the workers as Soeuth and Nee look for opportunities to share Jesus with them…

Coincidence or Devine Provision?

While the men work hard digging the holes and raising up logged fence, Syna also had her “working crew."  For some earning fees, local youth came to help planting small trees and flower plants in the church’s property. Like the men receiving payment from the digging holes in the ground and raise up logs, the youth dug holes and planted plants. Everyone received equal share of payment by the number of holes dug and plants planted. All flower plants were lovingly grafted and carefully nursed and cared for by Syna—all of the flower plants came directly from Lao’s yards! Taking advantage of the early rainy season, so far, we planted about 100 young trees and flower plants! But as we were planting, the growing concern was where to get large water jugs to store enough water to be reserved for days when there would be no rain. As we all were wondering out loud, there was suddenly a big truck passing by carrying 12 large water jugs! The driver drove around from province to province selling water jugs wherever there were potential buyers. In all four years that we lived in Anlong Veng, this was the first and only time we had even seen a truck full of water jugs! Bopha one of the youth shouted, “Naak (teacher)! You just said where would we get the water jugs? Now look! God heard your prayer!” At this opportune moment, Syna asked, “Was it a coincidence that the water-jug truck came by so quickly? Or was it God who sent us the water jugs? Does God care for every small detail of our requests too?” At that time, all the youth agreed that it was God who sent the truck to our way…

At a time when we needed them the most, God sent us a truck full of large water jugs

Other prayer requests needing your prayers…

1. Pray for a smooth transition of ministry responsibilities for the local church leaders to carry on while we will be on home assignment. We are grateful to God for giving us many godly church leaders like that of Pastor Dy, Mr. Kong, Po, and Heng, and Aide Rose, and so many other leaders to help oversee the growing church ministries in Anlong Veng and the Srae Nouy regions. The work loads are overwhelming. Pray for God protection for the leaders against the evil schemes. Pray for the believers to remain faithful with their decision to follow Jesus no matter what…
2. Pray for safety and protection as we move heavy boxes and crates into a storage place. Pray against pest and extreme heat that might destroy or damage the stored goods.
3. The logged fence building project will carry on, after we leave in mid June, under the watchful eyes of Nee the overseer, Heng, and Aide Rose who will oversee the financial aspects. Pray for integrity of the workers to be good steward of God’s money.
4. Pray for our coming trip to America in the midst of this crazy on-going Covid pandemic. 
5. Despite switching back to remote learning, pray that Jonathan would finish well and finish strong.  Pray also for him as he will be taking at least a 6 month gap year to think and process what took place this past year. Pray for divine guidance and clear direction of what he should do after for continue education…
6. Justin and Katie have been accepted and are preparing to join the Alliance Mission serving in the Middle East at the end of the year or early 2022. Pray for a sweet family reunion in early July and a chance for us to meet the new grandchildren… 
7. We had hoped that some sufficient funds would come through so the church leaders could begin the foundation works of the Srae Nouy church building project. God knows all the details. Pray that as the people come together in large groups to meet under plastic sheets as a place for worship during heavy rainy season, that they would see only Jesus and not be looking for the physical building…
8. With all that is going, this may be the last prayer from us from Cambodia. Lord willing by early July if not sooner, we hope to send you another update after we arrive in America. Pray for a fruitful home assignment year…
9. As we prepare to depart Cambodia, our hearts are sad from missing our dear friends who we were privileged to know these four years. PLEASE PRAY for spiritual protection of God’s tender sheep against the schemes of the Enemy.
10. At this writing, some parts of Cambodia are in the RED Zone with Covid restrictions. This month, four family units of Alliance International Workers will depart Cambodia for home assignment in North America. With restriction and Covid regulation getting tighter by the day, pray that all IWs traveling including our MKs children’s traveling will go smoothly…

It has been a wonderful privilege for us to serve God in Anlong Veng during these past four amazing and fruitful years. We are grateful to God for YOU, our ministry partners, prayer warriors, and financial supporters for your commitment for the sake of the Kingdom’s course. We value your partnership for the sharing of the Good News of Jesus to lost people in this part of the world. Because of your involvement, many people had opportunities to hear about Jesus, called on Him, and have been saved. But many are still lost and without Hope. Please continue joining us in the effort of bringing Lost People back to Jesus through your prayers and financial support…

Lord willing, we hope to see some of you at the Stateside during this coming year. Please kindly share with us what God is doing at your end…

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna

 

 

April Update 2021

 Dear Praying Friends and Family,

We trust you had a blessed Easter celebration. Our God is alive and active. Because He lives, there is Hope even amidst obstacles and uncertainties…

Easter service at Srae Kandal village

Recently, Cambodia has few significant Covid-19 community outbreaks which took place mostly in the capital city. The latest outbreak took place among the garment factory workers where more than 500 workers were tested positive! As a result, the Cambodian government mandated an immediate lockdown in major city locations of the entire country including a complete lockdown on all major highways—no traveling between provinces for an entire month of April! With this sudden lockdown taking place just days before the annual festive Khmer New Year, April 13-16, this news was a HUGE disappointment and most depressing news for the local people who were anticipating for the approaching new year. But through it all, God is still at work; there is hope even in uncertainties; and there is light even in darkness…

Because of Jesus…

Recently, during a Good Friday evening service, a group leader from Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance church led the believers into a rich time of singing traditional Khmer hymnals, reading different scripture passages, and praying. Soon afterward, the participants were instructed to camp and to reflect on the written descriptions about the suffering Messiah found in Isaiah 53, and everyone was instructed to finish this statement in his or her own words saying, “Because of what Jesus did on the cross, (today) I…” Below are few, brief versions of the stories where believers share about their encounters with the resurrected Christ…

Good Friday service at Toul Prich

Tested, But Not Shaken…

The faith of Rattana (new believer of less than 9 months) and of her husband Kem has been tested repeatedly (please refer to their conversion story in August 2020 update—‘Tell Us More about Jesus’). Beside selling some beauty products at home, the couple owned an old 15-passenger van which they used as a taxi to transport furniture and goods and as well to transport people between provinces. In January, someone broke into their van and stole some valuable goods. Then at another time, someone broke the rear end lights—all these were added stresses and unnecessary expenses which became heavy financial burdens for the family. This family also owned a few hectares of land where they planted cashew trees since 2014. They had put much efforts into clearing the land before planting putting in continual hard, laborious work into caring and nurturing for the young trees. They were expecting to and hoping for an abundant harvest in early April, but on March 31 someone had accidentally started a fire which then spread rapidly by strong winds. The fire quickly destroyed 350 plus of their precious cashew trees! Despite these great loses and after reflecting the words found in Isaiah 53, through tears flowing freely down her cheeks, Rattana found courage to share her faith in the Resurrected Christ Jesus, saying, “Because of Jesus, I know that my true treasure is not on earthly possessions but is found only in Preah yea-sue. One day, by His grace, I will live in a mansion with streets of gold as He has promised." Since her conversion, Rattana has been faithfully attended and diligently studying God’s word in a weekly small group discipleship class. Currently, the same small group of 9 believers is studying a course called 'Christian Family.' Rattana and her husband, Kem, were among the 10 people who go baptized on January 31…

Rattana, (in yellow floral shirt) was amongst the 10 who got baptized

Noun who is from the same village also shared about her healing story, “Everybody in the village knew that I was sick and dying, that I had no hope for recovery. But because of Jesus, I am healed. I am stronger. I can go about with my daily works every day! My life is a living testimony that Jesus is the one true and most powerful God on Earth!” 

Noun working at a vegetable garden with her husband Kane

Noun and Kane rejoicing at their children's baptism

Then, another new believer, Sem, in a quiet, humble voice cried out, “How can it be that this great God who created the universe even care for the smallest details of my needs! I am just a poor farmer with few earthly possessions. But when I lost my cows recently, I prayed earnestly to Preah yea-sue to help me find my cows. And He did! I know without any doubt, that Preah yea-sue not just loving me but He cares for all my needs."

Sem (in the blue shirt) with Mr. Kong and Savy at Toul Prich house church

Pheap’s Confession…

Seeing how everyone was sharing, Pheap began to cry softly and seemed to struggle at finding courage for what she was about to say. After a few moments of hesitancy, in trembling voice she blurted out, “I have something to share with everyone tonight. Before I believe in Jesus three years ago, I had some talents related to black magics. With the help of my spiritual guardians, at numerous occasions, I had abilities to cast spells and curses on people, especially on those who offended me. And I was good at it, until Jesus came into my life." 

Pheap (in the pink sweatshirt) with her Firm Foundation classmates

After a long pause and uncomfortable moments of silence while everyone was intensely gazing at her direction, Pheap slowly turned to face to Noun who happened to set next to her, then began these shocking words, “Noun, I was the reason you were sick! I was the one who casted spells on you. I was jealous you! I was enraged of what you and your family did to my family. I hated your family for buying the very house that I was saving to buy for myself. (Some context: With the owner’s permission, Pheap and her family were living in a vacant stilted house with a ‘For Sale’ sign on the property. At that time, Pheap’s family also made a living by selling home grown vegetables which the family raised from the property’s gardens. Noun’s family had purchased the house and without the original owner/new owner (Noun) giving Pheap any explanation or advanced notice. Pheap had to find a new place to live immediately! This ‘heartless’ action had infuriated Pheap greatly. She had so much hurt, great shame, and humiliation that Pheap had secretly made a deadly vow with her evil spiritual guardians at that time saying, ‘Someone must die’…) 

“And when you got sick," Pheap continued with her story, “I was glad on the inside. But I did not share this story with anyone! But then, you got better! I was shocked by this news! I heard that you met a new God named Preah yea-sue! And you told everyone that it was He who had healed you! I could not believe it. I watched and waited to see if your story was true. And it turned out just as you had said. And because of this, shortly afterward, I also prayed to receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Since then, He has proven to me over and over again He is the one true God. And I believe in Him. After I prayed to accept Jesus, I had completely abandoned all the black magic practices. I destroyed and burned all the worship items. BUT even though I sincerely repented and confessed this sin to Jesus, I had never confessed this great sin to anyone, and especially not to you. And so today, in front of these people, I am asking you, Noun, to please forgive me for the evil things I did to you.” Surprised, shocked, and bewildered as everyone else was in service, Noun responded in tears, “I had no idea. And I am not mad at you. And because of what Preah yea-sue died on the cross for our sins, and because He rose again and is alive and living inside each of us, I love you. I forgive you!" At Noun’s word, there was not a dry eye in the house! Everyone who had participated in that Good Friday service joined in agreement that, because of what Jesus did, we all live in the assurance of knowing that we have hope, and love, and forgiveness in Him…

Family Update…

BIG NEWS!!! Justin and Katie, (our oldest son and his wife with two small kids), have been appointed to serve as International Workers with the Alliance in the Middle East. They have begun and will continue to prepare and train for the rest of this year. Lord willing, they will be leaving sometimes in late 2021/early 2022. We are grateful for this delayed timing departure because it will allow us sometimes to get to know our precious grandchildren (who are currently at 2 years and 4 months old). As you have been faithful in praying and supporting us, we appreciate your extended prayers and support for them as well.

Our youngest son, Jonathan, celebrated his 19 birthday, April 9, with his dorm family in Penang, Malaysia. Thanks to your prayers, Jon is thriving well spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically. God has been very faithful especially in areas related to Jonathan. We cherish your love and support and prayers for our family.

Justin and Katie with their two children

Important Financial Update…

The Alliance has rolled out a new platform for giving! For those of you who are giving through your local churches, nothing has changed. If you are mailing in donation or have a recurring donation set up, nothing has changed. 

However, if you normally give online, you’ll see that the page has changed a bit. To support us, please visit https://cmalliance.org/give/. Under Gift Type, choose Give to the Alliance or to a worker you love. Under the latter, type “Soeuth and Syna Lao”, and then select the fund(s) of your choice. Then enter the amount you want to give and scroll down to continue with your information.

Other dates and events needing your prayers…

1. As was suspected, due to the increasing cases of Covid-19 outbreaks, most of the group- activities planned for the months of March and April had been disappointedly cancelled or switched to online meetings. Those cancellations include the missionary annual prayer retreat and the national annual church conference for adults and the youth conference. This was the second year in a row that the youth conference was cancelled. Pray for regional youth workers to find creative ways to encourage and support young people especially during these times of prolonged isolation.
2. The Strategic Field Review team will be meeting with Alliance International Workers (IWs) April 19-24, one unit of IWs at a time, via zoom meetings. Soeuth serves as one of the SFR members.
3. Even with restriction rules still enforced by local authorities, some local people will most likely find ways to celebrate the Khmer New Year no matter what. Hopefully, they will do it in small group gatherings. Pray for protection against any further spreads of the Covid pandemic.
4. Pray for strength and stamina as we wrap things up in ministries and for packing up the house for the remaining weeks as we prepare for
   the upcoming transition to the US in late June…

Thank you so much for your continued generous giving!!! We are very grateful for your prayers and support. Please share with us what God is doing in your life.

Because He lives,

Soeuth & Syna

March Update 2021

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

A LOT has happened since our last update. In most of the remote village churches from around Srae Nouy and Anlong Veg regions, there were significant ministry reports about church growth, especially in the weekly church attendants. The beauty of it all was that many believers demonstrated genuine growth as evident in their continual hunger and thirst for God. Despite constant daily life difficulties, many Christ followers found creative ways to come to weekly discipleship classes. It is a true joy and blessing for us to see such hunger from God’s people! At the same time, we are also facing a season of hardship. When new believers were flooding to join small groups these past few months, we were excited about the overwhelming growth while anticipating that hardship and persecutions would eventually arrive. But we had never expected that the challenges would be coming in HUGE waves crushing down on our dear friends, one heart-wrenching hardships after another. Below are some of the blessings and challenges that our dear friends recently went through…

A Season for Everything

Phearum and family standing in front of the recently burned field

Early February, while clearing the rice fields and burning away many small spots of dried grass, Phearum (Pastor’s Dy son, who is also a designated spiritual leader to oversee three local house churches) from Srae Nouy Alliance church had accidentally started a fire which spread by strong winds resulting in much damages to the neighbors’ fields and their precious destroying crops. Phearum and his wife, Poev, had to pay a large sum of cash to compensate the lost crops. In response to the need, local church families not only offered their grieves, they also took a collection, a love offering, to help this family in their time of crisis. Praise God that no one was physically hurt. Despite life's difficulties, this dear couple chose to cling tight to God’s faithfulness for their lives. One of Phearum’s favorite verses is Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven," which he often quoted when facing a hard situation. The past 11 years, Phearum and Poev had prayed for a baby. They went through a long season of waiting and of losses in multiple miscarriages that included a scary ectopic pregnancy. But recently, God gave them a desire of their heart—a healthy baby girl, Johanna, who is now 6 months old! Recently, after sharing about the fire incident while holding his happy bouncy daughter, Phearum once again gave his favorite one-liner message, “There is a season for everything."

Rate (please refer to detailed information about Rate in Feb. 2020 update--- "Rate & Her Neighbors") a two year-old believer, in her early 40’s, a devoted mother of four adult kids, also a designated spiritual leader for Ksach Ampel village, has been locally known for her bold and courageous evangelism outreach abilities. She loves God dearly and would “hold nothing back” whenever there was an opportunity for her to share the Good News! In the past few months, she won at least 40 plus people into the kingdom! But on February 23, while on her way to a weekly discipleship class, Rate encountered problems with her "mechanical cow (wagon)." This was Rate and her family’s most precious earthly possession. 

A multi purpose 'mechanical cow' wagon commonly used by local farmers

As the problems got worse, the entire engine was engulfed with fire and had destroyed the entire engine! Her family had depended on this engine as a generator, for plowing the fields, for pulling a large wagon loaded with family members and church people, for pumping water, and for so many other needed activities. Now, the family is praying for a miraculous provision for the next upcoming season of plowing…

Rate, middle in floral blouse, prayed at recent evangelism outreach

Poipet Sport Ministry

After a long season of setbacks, the Poipet soccer ministry had finally resumed in mid-February, this time under a leadership of Rong Makara, a member of the Poipet Living Water Alliance church, as the head coach overseeing some 60 plus kids; the kids’ aged 11-16 years old. Poipet is still commonly known as the ‘Sin City,' a high-risk location for youth and young adult to be exposed to many crimes and violent activities. Pray for Maraka and for few other sport leaders for wisdom and directions as they work with kids not just in sport activities but to introduce the kids to Jesus. 

Visiting Floating Villages

Kean, in blue t-shirt, explaining how the two new churches were planted

Feb. 18-19: We had the opportunity to accompany five members of the northwest regional church committees (RCC) to visit four floating villages in the Tonle Sap Lake region. It was an eye-opening learning experience for the RCC—the leaders’ first time to visit these floating churches! Under the faithful and devoted leadership of Mr. Kean (Kong’s younger brother), all six small groups floating churches thrive well (two of these floating churches were planted during the Covid restriction). Kean, a chief of the police by occupation who is in charge of overseeing 9 floating villages in the Tonle Sap region, and with a “C&MA DNA in my blood” mind set, guards these small groups believers “like a mother hen” against any potential sheep-stealing false groups! Kean, a faithful and committed learner of the biblical teachings, called Soeuth very frequently, sometimes in the late hours of the night, with any questions or concerns about bible passages he was studying. During the recent visit, local believers came together (by many motorboats) to dedicate a new boating ‘church’ building to the Lord. When asked where they get the money to buy such a houseboat, they explained that during Covid restrictions where many family members could not find works on land due to the closing down of factories had reluctantly returned home to their remote floating villages. While feeling restless at home with nothing much to do, “God blessed us with a good harvest freshwater snails, clamps, shrimps, crabs, and abundant supplies of fish! We sold all that was harvested, and we had enough money to buy this new boathouse! And we are using it as a ‘church’ to worship God!” Please continue to pray for Kean who is feeling overwhelmed with great demand of needs from overseeing the small floating house churches. Pray that God would raise up workers to help him…

A visit to the floating villages

A recently church dedication at one of the floating villages

After 3 hours of boat ride, Soeuth was anxious to get off the tiny boat onto a floating house church!

S&S enjoyed a beautiful sunset view from a floating house

Anlong Veng Ministry Center and Other Projects…

Filling up dirts to the Anlong Veng Ministry Center site

Taking advantage of a dry season and with on-going pandemic restriction, the works of filling up dirt onto the (future) Anlong Veng Ministry Center site had begun in late February. But due to limited funds available, the work is in progress at slow pace, as we need to watch carefully monitoring the amount of fund remains in the account. We were hoping to get as much dirt fillings as possible before the coming rainy season and while we are still here on the ground to oversee the financial aspect. There are already Approved Special Projects specifically designated for the Anlong Veng and for the northern region church ministries. If you feel led to support us in part(s) of or in any of these projects, please go to the C&MA online giving. We firmly believe that God has great plans in stores for the Anlong Veng church ministries as evident in the many amazing works He already done and will continue to do in these areas. And we are very grateful to God for YOU and for your on-going and faithful and sacrificial financial and prayer supports.

A weekly bible study and baby dedication at Rohaal village

In addition to above needs, below are dates and events requiring your prayers…

1. Two young married couples (our students) had been praying for babies. In the past few years, both couples experienced many losses from multiple miscarriages. Both couples shared with larger groups their prayer concerns. And God answered their hearts’ desire. This coming April & May—they are hoping to hold their first baby boys. The two mothers and babies are currently doing very well. Pray for good health for all and also that the expecting mothers would endure the heat while anxiously waiting for the littles boys to come…

2. Noun (watch Noun’s video recently made by Alliance Life, Feb. 2021, called, ‘The Strongest Healer’ from Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance church has been ‘on fire’ for sharing the gospel with friends and family at home and at a local market, where she sells home grown vegetables for a living. While selling her produce, she often shared the reasons for her faith in Jesus Christ with any interested person.  Every week while sitting to participate in a discipleship class with Syna, Noun often shared encouraging news about what God was doing through her.  Because of her bold witness, some angry neighbors looked for opportunities to attack or to publicly shame her. Please pray for protection and enduring faith for Noun and her family…

3. Pastor Chean and another church member from the Living Water Alliance church in Poipet recently had a serious accident in their attempts to clean up the church yards. Both patients were immediately taken to and treated at EMERGENCY hospital in Battambang province… During the months of January and February, two new house churches were planted around the Poipet region where about 30 plus new believers (in each new church) met regularly for weekly worship services. Pastor Chean was one of the teachers to teach two discipleship classes. Then, the accident happened. Pray for healing on Pastor Chean’s right leg. Pray also that the young believers would remain faithful with their decision to follow Christ. About 40 of new believers from these church sites are being taught and prepared for the coming baptism, March 27. Pray against spiritual opposition.

Pastor, in red shirt, sitting in wheel chair

4. Recently, because of the community outbreaks of the Covid pandemic, many of the planned activities and meetings including the IWs annual prayer retreat had been cancelled, postponed, or moved to later dates. As the result, April will be packed with church conferences, youth camp, and zoom meetings: Prayer retreat for IWs- April 1-3; Adult KEC annual conference (April 5-7); annual KEC youth camp (April 9-12); Field Strategic Review (April 19-24). Pray that all will go well…

5. Pray for time and energy we hope to begin packing up the house and to prepare for our departure in the coming June. There are so much to be done with so little time remains…

6. Please continue to pray for our son, Jonathan, to finish well. While God is doing many good things in church ministries, the Enemy has been busy attacking us in areas where it hurts the most-- our children and family…

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna

January Update 2021

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

Happy New Year! We trust you are all doing well. It was busy a December-January for us with all the traveling and the Christmas events. At the rate things are going, we anticipate that the situations will only get more intensified as ministry transitions are coming in the next coming months. Below are some of the events taken place since our last update…

Soeuth's TEE class at Srae Nouy

A boy with poor eye sight participated in children Sunday school class

A Miraculous Healing Draws 19 People to Christ

As shared in the December update, 102 people (new believers from four surrounding villages) got baptized on December 28! While celebrating this joyful event with church families, we learned how the O Kandal village became one of the nine Alliance house churches that was planted during the Covid restriction…  

Auntie Ree, age 69, a loving mother of nine adult children, a fragile looking, soft-spoken gentle lady who suffered from many years of joint pains and other chronic illnesses was running out of hope of recovery. Her devoted husband and concerned children had sacrificially sold off pieces of rice fields and other costly properties including valuable livestock so they could pay off her expensive medical costs. Concerned for her health, the family also sought help from various local medicine men (local witch doctors), but no help came their ways. Finally, Ree declared to her family, “Let me die. Save the remaining money for the children and the grandkids. Why waste all these expenses on me? I am tired of living.” When believers from Ksach Ampel heard about Ree’s sickness, they shared about the healing power of Jesus Christ, offered to pray for Ree, and asked if she was willing to “give Jesus a try." Ree reluctantly agreed. A few days afterward, the family noticed significant improvement in Ree’s health! Encouraged by the outcomes, family invited the believers, “Please come again and tell us more about Preah Yea-sue."  They did. At the end of the visit, 19 people of Ree’s immediate family prayed to received Jesus Christ, thus birthed a new Alliance church site on October 23, 2020. 

A church was born after a miraculous healing took place

As the weekly Bible studies (which are diligently led by Mrs. Rate from Ksach Ampel) continued, more people came to join the group.  At the appointed time, 32 new believers from O Kandal village were among the many who participated in that joyful baptismal service. According the most recent ministry reports from local church leaders, Ree and her family remain steadfast in their decision to follow Jesus Christ and participated in the weekly worship services. 

    From Persecutions to Church Growth

As believers became bold with their sharing of Jesus with neighbors and relatives, people willingly prayed to accept Jesus Christ every day! With the number of believers grew, persecutions also arose. And every time heart-wrenching stories of persecutions were being shared, believers responded immediately in prayers while they all waited for and watched God at work…  

Pheap’s Fame… 

Recently, Pheap (see Pheap’s story in October 2020 update ‘Pheap’s meal on wheels’), a vibrant believer from Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance church was falsely accused of stealing. When the accuser, Pheap’ s next door angry neighbor spread lies about Pheap’s characters, many people even unbelieving villagers courageously stood up to defend Pheap’s integrity. Those who supported Pheap shouted their defenses in Pheap’s favor: “Pheap is the most honest person in the entire village!” Declared one lady who was not-yet a believer. “She did nothing but help her friends," added another villager. “Pheap is so kind to  everyone she meets. I don’t believe a word you just said!” Still, another villager declared, “Pheap is not a thief. She was always giving even when she hardly had enough food for her family."  Some curious villagers, amazed by how many people willingly stood up to protect and defend Pheap’s characters, sought out Pheap and had met with her personally. As a result, 6 people prayed to receive Jesus! The six people were among the 10 people who got baptized on January 31st and who are now members of the Toul Prich church!

Pheap (pink top) proudly stands by 8 other friends who recently completed a Firm Foundation course!

10 people got baptized at Toul Prich

Ranna’s Conversion… 

Believers in Kampong Pluke floating village also received their many shares of persecutions. Vanna and his wife, Srey Noch, the two designated church leaders/couple for this village house church. They recently reported a spiteful, mean spirited, mid 30’s years old lady, Ranna, who was a constant “thorn in the flesh,” and a persecutor to the believers in this village. No matter how many times the church people tried to reason with Ranna, she would not relent with her lashing out of angry words and cursing remarks every time the believers met together for worship! Sometimes, while the Christians were singing or praying, she would play loud secular music blasting from her portable speaker! Sometimes, she purposely splashed out water mixed with oil onto a small dirt road, the only walking pathway to the house church, making it very difficult and dangerously slippery for people to get through! On September when the Kampong Pluke villagers heard about the fetal tragic drowning accident of Vanna and Srey Noch’s two small children (please refer to ‘Sad News…”, Sept 2020 update), people were shocked to hear unkind remarks coming from Ranna’s own mouth! Instead of mourning for the lost, she said, “They (referring to Vanna and Srey Noch) deserved to be punished! They not only believed in a foreign religion (Christianity) and had completely abandoned our old way (Buddhism), they now introduced this strange religion (Christianity) to everyone. I hate them!” 

Despite all these remarks, the believers refused to retaliate and instead responded with kindness and prayers. They prayed boldly and consistently for Raana… Recently, the believers took notice of the significant changes in Ranna’s overall behaviors and even her choice of friendly and kind words, especially toward the Christians! “And she and her husband and some other family members attended the church last weekend!” exclaimed Vanna. When asked about her sudden change, Ranna shyly confessed, “I was angry and very unhappy with my lot in life. My husband and I have been married for nine years but I could not get pregnant. I was jealous of your happiness! You guys seemed so happy, peaceful, and content, but my life was empty and a total mess! I tried so hard to make you angry and picked a fight with just about anybody. But no matter what terrible things I did, you did not retaliate! So, I asked your Preah- yea sue to prove Himself to me if He was real. I asked Him to give me a baby. He did! I am pregnant! So, I want to be part of your happy family too." The Kampong Pluke church families gave shouts of praises to Jesus after hearing Raana’s explanation. Some church ladies gave Ranna many warmth welcoming hugs…

Since our last corresponding, a few other similar incidents also took place at various remote villages throughout the Anlong Veng church ministries where church growth took place and ongoing persecutions resulted. Many of them were amazing stories, but we cannot possibly share them all now.  A recent ministry report given by one of leaders, a total of 48 new people from the Anlong Veng and the Srae Nouy regions had prayed to received Jesus in January!

A Special Need…

As the number of believers increase daily at remote village-church sites, the need to build a central- location worship center for larger group gatherings is urgent. According to Pastor Dy (our Khmer National ministry partner)’s February 6, 2021 ministry report, there are 20 Alliance village-house churches scattered throughout the Anlong Veng and the Srae Nouy regions with a total of 1187 members (584 adults, 163 youth, 440 kids--ages 1-12)! This number was very significant compared to July 2017 when we first arrived to begin church ministries in Anlong Veng where only five village-house churches existed! 

While believers in each village location met regularly for weekly discipleship classes, prayer meetings, and Bible studies including Sunday church services, the key church leaders of the region frequently planned large group gatherings 3-4 times a year. Every time we held one of these large group gatherings, the average attendants was 500 people. Recently on a gathering on December 31st, even amid the Covid restriction, about 300 participated!

300 plus participated in a Christmas/New Year's event

And these remote village-believers longed for more frequent larger gatherings. The Srae Nouy church had an old small cracked cement building for worship. But, because it was too small and unsafe, the church leaders decided to demolish the entire building completely while trusting God to provide them with a new building in the near future. 

This old Srae Nouy church building was so deteriorated and unsafe and had to be demolished

Responding to the need, the Cambodian Field Team Leaders (FLT) gave an approval for us to raise fund for the Srae Nouy (church building) Approved Special. Therefore, if you and your church families are interested in support this project, please let us know. Or you can go directly to the Alliance GIVE page and proceed to this account number: 1-47200-46-64-01036

A New Year's service at Srae Nouy

In addition to above please pray also for these dates & events…

1. January 9: We had a successful National Youth Committee meeting. A plan for the coming annual youth camp was among the many discussed topics. If the Lord is willing and if the Covid restriction will be lifted, we plan to hold a youth camp/ conference in Mondulkiri province, April 9-11, 2021. At the news, many young people were SUPER excited and are praying that this most anticipated opportunity would come through. To cover for the cost of traveling and registrations, each youth participant from our regions is encouraged to save up 80000 riels= $20.00.  This amount is a big stretch for most people. Therefore, please let know if you are interested in sponsoring a few young people to a youth camp.

2. As previously shared, On January 18-20, 17 members (ages ranged from 21- 62) among the TEE and discipleship students took a hiking (but felt more like a survivor combat) trip/prayer retreat to Preah-vihear province. Soeuth and Pastor Dy took turns to deliver insightful and encouraging devotional messages. Jan. 19: after a very long tiring day of hiking, we returned to our truck with a surprised discovery, a huge snake was hiding in our truck.

Pastor Dy and Soeuth discussed about ministry and family as they hiked

3. January 20: As we were about to leave the hiking/camping site, a local pastor pleaded with us to “Please come and pray for a family." The event turned out to be an evangelism outreach where 4 family members prayed to receive on the spot!

4 family members prayed to receive Jesus during a hiking trip

A hiking trip with TEE students

4. With all the many Christmas celebrations, the Poipet leadership class had finally resumed on January 23rd. where 34 of our students participated.

5. January 30: Mr. Kong from Andong Chan village along with few other Christian musicians were invited to play traditional Khmer music at a Christian wedding in Thma Koul, in Battambang province. Those who participate the marriage celebrations comments on how well the musicians honored God by using their gifts. Among the seven member band musicians were a seven-year old drummer boy! Soeuth was asked to officiate at this wedding.

6. Feb 13: The next big baptism will be at Srae Nouy Alliance church. 

7. Feb. 17-18: The Northwest regional church committees will visit the Mart Klaa floating church.

8. We appreciate your prayers for our son, Jonathan, who is still in Penang, Malaysia, and struggling with remote learning. Because of the increased number of Covid cases, the remote learning has recently been extended to February 18. Our hope and prayer is that he would be able to graduate in May.

9. We rejoice that Heng and Moum and their three littles girls are adapting well to the lifestyle and living situations in the Anlong Veng! And the church families from Toul Prich Firm Foundation Alliance church truly love and support their spiritual leaders—the Hout Soheng Family!

Heng and Moum with their three daughters on their way to church

10. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we face with many transitions and preparation for coming home assignment (HA) in the US. We are excited about the coming HA and looking forward to seeing some of you in the coming year!

Meanwhile, please do share with us what God is doing in your life. Thank you once again for your faithfulness and in financial and in prayer supports.  We appreciate you so much. 

Blessings,

Soeuth & Syna 

December Update 2020

Dear Faithful Supporters,

Because Jesus did what He came to do, we have Hope. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May you experience true Love and Hope and Joy and Peace in the Lord Jesus Christ as you celebrate Christmas.

Due to the on-going government mandate-pandemic restrictions, the plans for Christmas celebrations had been postponed and hanged from a day-to-day and week-to-week basis. Finally, the decision was made by key church leaders of the areas that Christmas this year would be locally celebrated in various smaller village group settings. This means that the key church leaders must make frequent trips to villages, one village at a time, in order to gather and to lead the villagers in these remote celebrations. At this writing, we already had six village celebrations done and still have six more villages to go. On average, the number of participants in each village gathering was about 75 plus people. About 85% of the total attendants celebrated Christmas for the first time this year. Below are few stories/testimonies shared by villagers at these smaller group gatherings…

Former Witchcraft Villagers Celebrated their First Christmas…

After months of hearing about the many wonderful things that God was doing in Pume Thmey village

(for detailed information about the nature of this village, please refer to our August 2020’s update in

“The Captives Set Free”), on the morning of December 24th, we finally visited the village and had

the personal opportunity to meet with some of the amazing and genuine believers of the areas.

Former witchcraft villagers celebrating their first Christmas

Immediately upon our arrival, 80 plus villagers quickly gathered around underneath a stilted house for a

time of worship service led by Po and Lang, two designated leaders assigned to oversee this village. After brief introductions, the villagers joyfully sung their favorite songs, one number after another. All songs were chosen from a traditional Khmer hymnal book. The many favorite selections requested by participants were not the usual traditional Christmas songs sung for the holiday season, but they were chosen because the written words/lyrics of each song gave special meanings to the believers’ new freedom in Christ. Up until early April of 2020, many of these villagers had lived their entire lives under the tight grips and heavy bondages of Satan! But this year, many of the Pume Thmey village people found complete FREEDOM in CHRIST! 

80 plus people celebrated their first Christmas in Pume Thmey village

When Soeuth shared a Christmas- message entitled “The Good News to the Outcasts” found in Luke 2:8-20, the entire audience paid close attention to every word spoken. As they listened, many villagers nodded in agreement to message as they could relate well to the shepherd—the out-casted characters in this biblical story. At the end of the message, opportunities were given to any villager who wanted to testify what God was doing in their lives; and one after another, people willingly shared their stories as below…

Moses-ya: A Baby Recused from the Pond!

Ree, a 37 year old mother of three small children and only a 4-month old Christian from Pume Thmey village, with tears of joy and tears of gratitude falling freely down her cheeks, gave praises to the Lord Jesus for saving her (now 9-month-old) baby girl from drowning! Ree shared that in early October, in an attempts to catch some fish for a family meal, standing by the edge of a nearby pond, Ree was using one arm to secure a bouncing 7-month old baby to her hip while using another arm/hand to hold a fishing pole. Excited and startled by a sudden bite at the end of her fishing line, Ree accidentally dropped her baby girl into a 2-meter (6 feet) deep pond! Not able to swim herself and while gripped by overwhelming fear for her baby’s life, Ree screamed from the top of her lungs shouting, “Preah-yea-sue jo-oy! (Lord Jesus help!) My baby is in the pond!” At her the sound of her frantic screams, a few village men rushed to the site and quickly dove into the murky pond and tried desperately to find the baby. After an “eternity” of many unsuccessful attempts, the terrifying mother finally spotted the baby’s head floating to the water surface. Following the mother’s frantic pointing, one of the men swam to the site, scooped up the limp, unconscious baby, and brought her to the edge of the pond, and then began to resuscitate her back to life! Everyone who witnessed the accident including the men who were in involved in the recusing mission unanimously declared that this baby’s rescue was a miraculous work of the Living God! Nearly three months went by since the accident, Ree is still overwhelmed emotionally every time she picked up her baby girl at how much love God has for her life and for her family’s lives. “I am forever grateful to God for recusing my life and the life of my baby girl! My daughter’s life is my testimony to the whole world that Preah-yea-sue is the One True and the Only God!” Even though the baby has her own given name, since the incident took place, everyone is calling her “Moses-ya”- because Jesus recused her from the pond…

“Someone touched me. And I am healed!”

Also, from Pume Thmey village, Mrs. Nim, a frail widow in her mid 50s who is a very cheerfully pleasant little lady and a devoted mother of six adult children, had been subjected to bleeding and had chronically suffered various kinds of illnesses more than seven years. “I sold many rice fields, cows, and most of my other earthly valuable belongings including my precious heirloom jewelries in order to pay for my many expensive medical costs. “My children took me to see medical doctors across the country, and I even visited many ‘kru Khmer’ (local witch doctors). But no one could help me,” explained Nim to the listening audience with two of her adult children nodding their agreements. 

In early October of 2020 while her village, like many other parts of Cambodia, was completely underwater by the unexpected floods, Nim’s health critically worsened. Fearful for Nim’s life, her adult children carried Nim and waded across the flooded paths, then took her in a rented taxi to the Siem Reap provincial hospital. Hopelessly lying in a hospital bed in an overcrowded and understaffed hospital ward surrounded by many sickly patients, Nim did not hope that she would be properly seen or adequately cared for by medical staffs. Before going to bed one night and while in her darkest moments of hopelessness, Nim whispered a prayer, “Preah-yea-sue, if you are real, please help me." Nim went on to describe her prayer, “I was a new believer. I did not even know how to pray. And I didn’t even know if God would hear my prayers because I was poor and a nobody. That night, while I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, I felt a hand touching my head. And I felt immediate warmth all over my entire body! I opened up my eyes but saw no one." Nim shared that she immediately elbowed and asked her daughter who was lying next to her, “Did you touch my head just now?” When her daughter said “No" Nim insisted that “Someone had touched me. And I am feeling better!” Aware of Nim’s new faith in Jesus, the daughter suggested that maybe God had touched her. Nim agreed and then went on to describe her condition, “It had been almost three months since that night, and I have not seen any more blood! Preah-yea-sue healed me!” Once again, Nim’s adult daughters and many villagers who participated in the Pume Thmey worship service that day nodded their heads in agreement that Jesus had healed Nim!

Praises, dates, and events needing your prayers…

1. On December 11 at 9:32 pm, we received a wonderful news that our second grandchild, granddaughter this time, Maya Joy Lao, had safely arrived into the world to the waiting arms of her proud parents, Justin and Katie, and to her adorable big brother, Jesse. Since Maya’s birth, we received and treasured the countless pictures and short videos thoughtfully made and sent to us by her parents. We look forward to and long to meet Maya, and to hugs both precious grandchildren, Lord willing, by early July 2021. 
   
   
   
2. December 19: two young single mothers prayed to receive Jesus shortly after attending the Christmas celebration at the Toul Prich Village. These two ladies and some few other new believers are being trained and prepared for the baptism which take place sometimes in January.
3. Dec. 24, after a worship service at Pume Thmey, 28 people came forward to rededicate their lives to Jesus. Please pray against spiritual oppositions and on-going spiritual attacks for these dear new believers as they must remain living in the village while trying to shine the Light of Jesus to the dark community. Many people from this village, including the new believers’ own relatives and neighbors, still worship demons and witches of the area. These young believers whose spiritual journey is less than 9 months old (there are about 40 of them) are being spiritually cared for and taught in the Word at a weekly basis by two designated leaders, Po and Lang. (Both Lang and Po enrolled in our weekly leadership and discipleship classes at Srae Nouy). 

   

   28 people came forward to rededicate their lives to Jesus

   
   
4. Dec. 26: We had a “small” Christmas (the first Christmas in this village) gathering in La-veah village where 86 people participated. The service was held under the shades of fruit trees where people seated on a plastic taupe. At the end of message, 16 new believers took turns to share the amazing and powerful testimonies of what God was doing in their lives. Their stories included two incidents where young believers prayed to cast out demons/evil spirits from their relatives, many stories about miraculous healings, stories of God’s miraculous interventions, and stories of protections from motorbike accidents, and also a miraculous recuse from snake bites! These were stories of inspired and powerful testimonies which declared to the unbelieving community that the God we service is ALIVE and ACTIVE. 

   

   86 people participated, first time, in a Christmas service at La-veah village

   
   
5. Because of the leaders are still busy leading small Christmas gatherings at various village groups, the plans for locally baptismal services are being held/postponed to be done, one place after another throughout the month of January. Please pray these new believers would remained faithful with their decision to follow Christ and to get baptize.
6. The 7 students from Soeuth’s Pentcheude class and the 9 students the TEE Book 3 classes had successfully completed the courses! The same groups of students will move on to enroll in the next higher course levels accordingly.
7. At this writing, Syna's Firm Foundation class (9 students) in Toul Prich Village also successfully completed the 68- week course! We will have a graduation party in January...

182 families received chicken eggs, thanks to a generous donor

102 people got baptized on December 28!

 

Baptism celebration

Please share with us what God is doing in your life. We would love to pray with and for you as you have been to us. As always, we are grateful to God for you on-going prayers and support. Thank you for your partnership in the Anlong Veng and the overall Cambodian ministries. We appreciate you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Soeuth & Syna