God really is on the move in Cambodia

Elim Missionary Sophie Moore shares her calling and stories of how lives are being transformed in the Asian country

Cambodia is a place that has really taken my heart. I am a trained primary school teacher and have spent time teaching in Northern Ireland and also in China. This was how I first ended up in Cambodia. During one Chinese New Year, I came to Cambodia for a visit, and I fell in love with the people and the country.

I have been able to come on different trips to Cambodia, and each time I have felt a stronger call to return. From a young age, I remember being in church and hearing people come and share about missions in far-off countries and the amazing work they were doing. I always knew from a young age that I wanted to go on a mission trip.

What an adventure the past year has been! I have been overwhelmed by the incredible things that God is doing in Cambodia. The church planting work that is going on in the provinces throughout the country is amazing. There are miracles taking place, healings and restoration. Families that have been Buddhist for most of their lives are being transformed by the truth of Jesus Christ.

The vision and heart of Elim Cambodia are that they would see a church planted in every village in Cambodia. There are young women who are being set free from past abuse and trauma through the Be Free project. Young children are getting a good start in their education and early lives as they learn at the Early Learning Centre that is attached to the church.

There have been many amazing things that have happened so far, but one story stands out. There was a family in one of the remote villages in the South of Cambodia. They had been isolated for many years, and two of their adult children were experiencing great difficulties. When this family was first visited, their home was dark and one of their adult children was bound by great darkness. The family did not know God, but they were crying out for help.

Over the next few weeks, the church planting team kept going to visit the family to spend time with them and pray for them. One day the team were with the family, and they said they had decided they wanted to know Jesus and they believed in him.

They each prayed to accept Jesus as their Lord. Soon after this, the whole family got baptised and one of the most significant things was that they took down the spirit houses that were in their garden.

In Cambodia, which is a largely Buddhist country, this was a significant thing for them to do. The son who was physically and spiritually bound is now free, and the change is evident as he is constantly smiling. Now the father of the family has been reading the Bible to them, and he has been reading Genesis.

They all say now they know where they came from – they didn’t come from monkeys, it was God who created them and the world!

This is just one of many amazing stories of how God transforms people’s lives throughout Cambodia.

I’m so thankful that I have been given this opportunity to serve alongside the Elim church here. I am excited and open to what God has for my future in missions and in Cambodia.