Newsletter | January 2022
2021 was an amazing year! Ups and downs, twists and turns. In spite of the challenges we’ve faced, our work in Cambodia and Myanmar continued at a record pace. I’m thrilled that our ministry partners stepped into the challenges before them and found ways to advance our initiatives and increase the reach that defines our ministry.
Many NGOs have left Cambodia the last 22 months as the threat of COVID increased. Our teams of local Cambodians faithfully stood their ground and, indeed, stepped out in faith to increase the compassion and love so dearly needed to meet the enormous needs in Cambodia. God is faithful and we celebrate the way our team responded, including the distribution of over 140,000 meals this past year.
Many needs remain. Much work is still undone! In this letter we describe the successes of 2021 and ask that you join us as we advance this work in 2022.
In Svay Kang Pastor Saran and his team continued to reach further into the edges of each community as they shared the love of Jesus. The COVID pandemic resulted in people losing their jobs, so food relief became a major emphasis this past year as many were affected by the scarcity of basic nutrition. As our teams modeled the love Jesus has for the people of Cambodia, many responded to the invitation to accept Christ.
The house churches continued to grow with Bible studies taking place each day of the week at various locations. Baptisms occurred since as many were obedient to the sacred instruction to publicly identify with the body of Christ.
Pastor Bun Thorn worked diligently in Sisophon and along the Thai border to care for many in dire conditions. Poverty is rampant due to lost jobs. Many have migrated over the border to Thailand in a desperate last attempt to find money to feed their family. Our team faithfully assisted with food, water, and medicine throughout the year to provide a safety net for those who needed it most.
Phillip and his team in Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, and the surrounding provinces met the challenges by distributing food and water, and holding services in village after village to encourage the people. School in Cambodia was suspended for over a year as the nation fought the virus. Phillip and his team faithfully held classes throughout the year. They invited school-age children to come and helped them keep current with their studies.
In addition, this team used the new van we were able to provide to help the people of Dump Hill, a community of people living on the municipal garbage heap of Phnom Penh. When all else fails and all hope is gone, families move to the garbage dump to scavenge as a way to survive. Our team faithfully cares for this community by bringing food and medicine along with encouragement and love to these families who are in despair.
At Antioch Orphanage in Battambang, Pastor Phanny and his team of house parents faithfully cared for the 64 children living there. These children come from very difficult circumstances. Many are without parents or family and some are from violent, abusive, or insecure environments. 2021 saw continued growth and improvement in the lives of these dear children as they were provided the loving and caring comforts of home.
In Myanmar Joshua and Kimte share the Good News with their community. It’s a difficult and sometimes dangerous calling as the predominant religion in Myanmar is Buddhism. Many adherents to Buddhism are often willing to bring violence and ostracism to Christians. Joshua and his family are gentle but deeply faithful to their calling to proclaim Christ.
In addition, the military takeover of Myanmar in February has caused untold hardship and suffering for the people of Myanmar. Entire villages have been burned to the ground by government soldiers, pastors have been killed and famine has become a normal way of life. Recent news stories describe the methodical execution of ordinary citizens by government soldiers. Cambodia Impact has been able to get funds into the country in order to provide food relief and medicine to distressed families.
Outside of Yangon, Myanmar Cyrus and Rebecca faithfully care for the children at the House of Refuge during this time of danger and crisis in their country. Their home is a place of safety for any child in Myanmar escaping a dangerous situation at home or in their local village. Cyrus and Rebecca provide a place of refuge for the vulnerable children of Myanmar.
As you remember the work we do at Cambodia Impact in both Cambodia and Myanmar, please keep our ministry partners and staff in your prayers. We’re grateful to you for your faithfulness in covering us in prayer and in providing the needed resources to continue this work. 2021 was a fruitful year! And a year that saw changed lives, a growing church in many villages and the promise of hope for a better future for so many. Please join us in making 2022 another fruitful year!
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)