Sofie Moore News May 2026

Sophie in Cambodia

Newsletter May 2026

A busy few months

Time in Northern Ireland

We have just returned from a planned furlough in Northern Ireland. We prayed that after getting married in Cambodia, we would be able to go back to Northern Ireland to see family and friends who we hadn’t seen since getting married. God was faithful and gave us our heart's desire. These times with loved ones are precious and few when we live so far away, so we never take for granted how special these trips are.

We were so blessed with the time we had in Northern Ireland, and it was a good opportunity for more people to meet Sarun in person. We were blessed to speak at different churches that have been part of my journey since I first came to Cambodia. Every church that we visited was so welcoming and really encouraged us to keep going and serving the Lord in Cambodia. We are so thankful for these connections and churches. We were certain the timing of our visit was important for Sarun and I as we were able to share more about our new season of ministry here in Siem Reap. Also, God has done many good things since we got married, so we had the opportunity to share these testimonies and encourage others with the stories of God’s faithfulness.

We want to thank everyone again who showed us so much kindness, hospitality and friendship during our time there.

During our time in Northern Ireland, it was a mixture of much joy and sadness. We lost a very special person in my life during that time, my Uncle Robert. He was always one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. These are the hardest parts of missionary life when you can be so far from loved ones in times of grief and sadness. I was thankful for the timing that we were in Northern Ireland to be with family and to attend my uncle’s funeral. My uncle’s life was devoted to God and sharing Jesus with children. As we listened to the tribute to his life, we were encouraged to carry on in our journey, knowing everything we do in this life is worth it when it is done for Christ.

As soon as we arrived back to Cambodia, we went to visit Sarun’s family in Battambang. It was the Cambodian New Year holiday when most families return to their home provinces to celebrate. It was good to be reunited with them after a few months without seeing them. Sarun’s Dad is going from strength to strength. He told us that he has been attending a local church, and he walks there each Sunday. He is learning how to pray and to know more about God. Please keep praying with us for Sarun’s mum to know more of Jesus in her life.

Sarun and I with his father

Life back in Cambodia

When we arrived back in Siem Reap, we were blessed to join a big baptism service just outside the city. It was a gathering of different village churches, and 90 people got baptized in the water that day. It was amazing to witness what God is doing in people’s lives here and their hunger for more of Him.

I was blessed to celebrate my birthday here in Cambodia at the end of April. Unfortunately, the day after, I was very sick and knew something was not right. I went to a local clinic for blood tests, and they said that because of my symptoms, they wanted to check for dengue fever. This is a disease contracted from mosquitoes and can be very serious as it affects the blood. Unfortunately, I was positive with dengue and was admitted to the hospital for a stay. I was really upset and couldn’t believe I had caught dengue after all these years in Cambodia. I spent 1 week in the hospital as my blood results were not good, and my energy levels and appetite were poor. I was on a drip and being filled with medicines to help me. Sarun was the best help, and he was able to sleep at the hospital with me, which really comforted me. We were so blessed by friends and church family who came to pray with me and to bring us food. Normally, hospitals in Cambodia do not supply food for inpatients, so it is your responsibility to get this yourself.

I did struggle being in the hospital, and I did ask God, ‘Why has this happened to me and why now?’ I was just back in Cambodia, ready to serve and get back involved with ministry after being in Northern Ireland. God, in his kindness, did meet with me, and I really felt the peace of God with us in the hospital room. For me, it was a reminder that God is in control of all things, the things I plan for and the things that I don’t. I also had lots of time to pray and process all that had happened in the last few months. It was a reminder to slow down, but most importantly to listen to God and hear what He was saying to me. I couldn’t go anywhere else, so it was the perfect time for me to be still. I was also reminded of the army of friends and family on the other side of the world who deeply care for Sarun and I. Everyday I was receiving messages and prayers from loved ones. That helped me to keep going and to be strong.

Thankfully, a week later, the doctor was satisfied that my bloods were stable enough to finish recovery at home. I have been resting lots and finishing off my medication. This illness has really affected my energy levels, and I have struggled to feel back to normal. The temperature here is also in the high 30s so that has been difficult to adjust to. As my lack of energy has frustrated me, God reminded me again that there were things He wanted to speak to me about, and I have had some more time to rest and really be quiet with the Lord.

Prayers and plan for the next few weeks

In the next few weeks, we will be back out in the villages sharing at churches and supporting local leaders. We also have opportunities to go and serve some of the displaced people who are still unable to return home after the recent conflict with Thailand and Cambodia.

This week we went out to visit an unreached community. There are children and young people who have started attending weekly children’s meetings, introducing them to the gospel there. These meetings are being held at the back of our friend’s house. They have had a heart to start ministry for a while and feel now it is the right time. This week there were also parents who came along and sat at the back as they listened to the bible story and watched the children sing and play games.

A highlight for me, was one little boy who shouted out in the middle of the story time, ‘I am not afraid, because Jesus is with me’.

Sarun and I plan to be regularly part of the team helping in this new place. We ask that you pray with us for the team there and for the children and families who are coming along, many hearing about the good news of the gospel for the very first time.