Sophie in Cambodia

 

Newsletter December 2025

A Weary World Rejoices

This update is mixed with stories of great joy and also with some sadness.  More than ever, we are being reminded to lean on the only one who can bring hope and joy into this weary world right now, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Current situation in Cambodia

Firstly, I want to share about the situation happening in Cambodia right now.  I know this information is not being widely covered on international news, so for some of you reading this, it might be the first time you are hearing about this problem.

It’s been a tense few weeks between Cambodia and Thailand, who share land borders.  There was fighting and border disputes earlier this year between the two countries which were resolved by ceasefire agreements.  Things did settle for a few months but we knew there was still tension and a fragile situation.  The two countries do have a long history together, which has at times included other conflicts.  Very sadly, at the start of December, the clashes started again, and this time they are worse than before.  It has been a fearful and worrying time for us here in Cambodia. We know family and friends who have had to flee their homes for safety from attacks and bombs that are landing in Cambodia. Many of these families have very little already, so it has been heartbreaking to see them have to flee, and many of them have been placed in displacement camps for their safety away from the fighting.  It is a time of uncertainty, and it is very fragile.  We really need the Lord’s peace and comfort at this time. 

Sarun and I have welcomed his older sister, her son and her husband into our home during this conflict. They live up along the border, and when the area behind their home was being attacked, they had to flee, and they came to Siem Reap to find safety with us.  In amongst the great fear and sadness of this situation, we are witnessing a beautiful community and country unity here in Cambodia.  As soon as the fighting started again, we saw people rally together to help one another.  Many people, including the government, NGOs, Churches, and local groups, have all gathered together and have been sending emergency supplies to the displaced people and to the soldiers serving on the frontline.

What we need is for you to be aware of the situation that is going on here and to be praying that there will be an end to this fighting.  So many innocent people in both countries are being affected and have lost their lives. People are crying out for peace.  Young children want to go back to school and study again.  For Sarun and I, we trust in God and keep asking that there would be an end to this and that we can be a light and help to others at this time and for the days and weeks that lie ahead. Please pray for renewed daily strength and wisdom for us as we face these unexpected challenges so early on in our marriage.

A very full and thankful last few months

In light of all I have just shared and being respectful of the difficult time we currently face,  I still feel it is important to share good news and thank God for all He has done in the last few months since I last wrote.  I shared before of the excitement Sarun and I had for our upcoming wedding in Cambodia, and we have now been married for nearly two months already - the time really has flown in.  Looking back at our photos from our special day really does feel like a dream.  It was particularly special for me that my parents could be here, and my brother Sam, his wife Leah, their two boys and my best friend Courtney.  My brother and his family have never been in Cambodia before, so it was amazing having them here for our wedding, but also to see the fun they all had exploring Cambodia.  These family moments together are precious when we normally live so far away from each other, so my heart was truly grateful for this time that we had together. 

Our whole wedding was such a wonderful celebration.  We had our friends from Phnom Penh, family from Battambang province, and friends from all over the world who came to celebrate with us. Friends came who have been a significant support to Sarun and I on our journey together. We were sad in ways that not all of my family from Northern Ireland could be here because of the distance and long journey to get here, but we really felt their love and support from afar.  During our service at church, we were worshipping in the garden, and a big rainbow appeared in front of the church (that day we had no rain). We all smiled and truly felt it was a perfect reminder of God with us in our celebration, and the assurance of His continued faithfulness as we started our married life together.

Our prayer for our wedding was that we would honour God in all that we did, and also that our parents would both be honoured for the important role they have played in our lives. We were able to do this beautifully as we celebrated with two different services reflecting Cambodian culture and then another service that was more reflective of a Western Christian wedding service. In the morning, we took time to celebrate and honour both sets of our parents. We thanked them for our upbringing, and we honoured them by washing their feet as a sign of respect and humility. We all got to dress up in traditional Cambodian clothes, which was fun and a great way to respect the beautiful Cambodian culture.  

In the afternoon, we had another service at the church.  During this time we made our marriage vows, worshipped God, exchanged rings and took communion as a witness to Christ and an invitation for Him to be the centre of our marriage at the very beginning. We were also blessed to have my sending church Pastor and his wife, Hugh and Ann Moore, with us.  They are also good family friends, and it was a joy to have Pastor Hugh lead our vows for this service. Hugh and Ann have always been a big part of my missionary life, and as a sending church, have been so supportive. We all felt it was a kind gift from God that they were able to journey to Cambodia and be part of this special time with us. 

We prayed that our wedding day would be a witness of God to all that came, and we believe it was. One of our Cambodian family members said to us after the wedding that he also wanted to know Jesus because he had heard so much about Jesus on our wedding day.

Sarun and I just want to thank everyone around the world who wished us love, sent gifts and messages to us for our wedding.  We are so blessed and really felt loved from around the world.

Life since the wedding

Since the wedding day, before the conflict started, Sarun and I were getting settled into our new home and routine in Siem Reap. The transition from Phnom Penh went well, and I was blessed to have some of my family from Elim Cambodia help me move all my belongings to Siem Reap (including my moto and beloved plants) which all survived the 6 hour car journey. I also had a special service at Elim Phnom Penh acknowledging the last few years that I have lived and served the community and Church there just before I made the move to Siem Reap. Thank you for praying for us about our new home. God led us to a wonderful place just on the outskirts of Siem Reap. It does come with a few quirks and a fair few Cambodian insects who like to frequent our area. It will take us time to sort out everything in the house, but it is a good place for us to set up in our 1st home together, and we are thankful for God’s guidance in this big decision.

As we reflect on this last year it’s hard to comprehend all that God has done in my life. As we approach Christmas again, I have to praise God for all He has done since the last time I put up my wee Christmas tree in my home.  Sarun and I are excited for the new season ahead of us. We have already had some glimpses of what this may look like as we have been able to observe and serve with some ministries here in Siem Reap. Most of the work we have seen so far is done out in the villages. Last week we joined a church in the community, we worshipped together and we shared hope and prayed with people in the middle of the difficult time we currently face in country.

We are continuing to explore other areas of ministry and keep seeking the Lord for His plans for us.  Right now, because of the current conflict situation, we have already been given unexpected opportunities for ministry.  We have our in-laws staying in our home who are not yet believers, and also, Siem Reap province has received a large majority of the displaced people from the surrounding Northern border provinces.  This means we are close by to many of the people who really need good news and hope at this time.  We know that this situation is providing opportunities to be a light and encouragement to people who have had their lives turned upside down in the last few weeks. 

Exploring our new neighborhood and transporting housing items home via our moto

I will finish with a story of good news from one of my students in Phnom Penh. This special young lady studied English with me for two years. She was such a diligent student and always keen to learn more.  We developed a good relationship over the years which extended beyond learning English, as we often talked about life, her future and her dreams.  I was so happy to hear that she recently applied to volunteer for the church in Phnom Penh. They were looking for someone to help with computer classes for the students there. Seeing her give back to younger students and her community made me so proud of her. She has also opened her heart to hear the good news and she is on her own journey as she finds out more about God. Please pray for her and thank God for the fruit of our English classes over the last few years.  

Thank you to each of you who takes time to read my newsletters, pray for me and for Cambodia and supports my life as a missionary here.  May God bless you and would His perfect peace and comfort surround you over this Christmas season.

Love and blessings from Cambodia.

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