Sophouen was baptised by LCA WA District Bishop Greg Pfeiffer in the village of Phum Krus on 11 July 2010. She served as an intern at the Lutheran Life Centre before moving to the Rainbow Student Hostel while studying at Phnom Penh Bible College. Today, Sophouen is serving as an evangelist for the Lutheran Church […]

Sophouen was baptised by LCA WA District Bishop Greg Pfeiffer in the village of Phum Krus on 11 July 2010.

She served as an intern at the Lutheran Life Centre before moving to the Rainbow Student Hostel while studying at Phnom Penh Bible College. Today, Sophouen is serving as an evangelist for the Lutheran Church in Cambodia.

About 68 per cent of Cambodia’s population is under 30 years of age, because the Khmer Rouge murdered more than 2 million citizens during Pol Pot’s horrific regime.

The Lutheran Church in Cambodia is reaching out to young people with the good news of Jesus Christ, shared in various ways including through English and computing classes and youth camps.

In Village Krus, following the youth and children’s evangelism camps in August, 35 young adults asked to be baptised and are now receiving instruction for their baptism. And 44 children have asked to know more about Jesus and grow closer to him.

SOPHOUEN’S LETTER TO YOU

Dear Sponsors, Supporters and Friends,

Praise the Lord! His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. His name is holy.

Firstly, I want to give thanks to the Lord, my God, for my study in Phnom Penh Bible School for four years. Throughout this time I became his servant and this has enriched my life.

Secondly, I would like to say thank you to the Lord for leading me, guiding me, and letting me widen my wisdom. I have realised that everything in this world, including my wisdom and my knowledge, is God’s idea. That is why I want to serve him.

Lastly, I want to express the thankfulness I have toward each and every person who supported me in the past years. Without this financial help, I could not have finished my study in Phnom Penh Bible School. Even though sometimes they had to work really hard and it became quite difficult, they never stopped backing me. I appreciate this so much!

Before I came to Phnom Penh I did not know how to serve the Lord, my God. During my study at Phnom Penh Bible School, I could slowly watch my faith in God grow, as well as get to know God’s ministry. This experience changed my whole life! I have now decided to love God deeply from the bottom of my heart and serve his will joyfully.

My time at Phnom Penh Bible School has not always been easy; sometimes it was very difficult. Enduring the challenging periods have allowed my faith in the word of God to grow. Due to his gracious love, I have been able to finish and graduate successfully. I know that I could not have done this if I had not found the feeling of security in the love of God. Therefore I give praise and glory to the Lord, my gracious God, who has helped me achieve everything in life so far.

In the future I want to become a pastor to serve the Lord, my God. Preaching and sharing his word to those who have not found their way to God yet—it seems like something I want to do now.

It is my vision that, someday, I could build a new church in another village! I know that there are people out there who are waiting to get to know his love and the words of our gracious and good-natured God. I will not only be sharing the gospel, but also serving him in the way that he has prepared for me.

I thank the Lord that he is using me in his ministry now as I am sharing the gospel through teaching English to children and youth (at a new outreach point in Kg Chhnang). On Saturday, I worship God with them, teach the word of God, and lead them in praising God. I am also serving as Krus church’s treasurer.

I am very grateful to be able to serve the Lord, my God. No words can express my thankfulness for what God has done in my life, and for his goodness. Just know that I am joyfully serving in his ministry.

This story was also published in the November 2015 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner church in Cambodia at www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/cambodia/