Deon’s phone rang unexpectedly with a Khmer number flashing on the screen. We were not awaiting any deliveries or visitors as we sat having lunch at a friend’s home, so the call caught us by surprise. When he answered, a familiar voice greeted him in Khmer: “Su sdei Nekro. Khnom nil phteah.” (“Hello, teacher. I am at your house.”)

It was Sreyneh, a dear friend we had not seen in nearly one and a half years. Joy filled our hearts as we welcomed this unexpected visit.

Earlier that day, Deon had felt drawn to spend time at our mission school. While he met with the principal and walked the grounds, I stayed home to meet with our student missionaries. When Deon returned, he shared excitedly, “Guess who came to the school today to greet me?”
Just as I imagined, it was Lenea, a bright Pnong girl who holds a very special place in our hearts. We first met Lenea two years ago when she was in grade one at our school. As one of only two Pnong girls enrolled (the other being her cousin Lunu), she stood out with her quiet determination. Her mother, Sreyneh, had been a faithful member of our village church and even worked at the school for a few months, earning enough to buy a phone and a motorcycle. Though never married, Sreyneh had faced heartache when a previous boyfriend left her.

Life took difficult turns. We watched with concern as Sreyneh’s relationship with her aunty, our farm manager, soured. One tearful day, our farm manager shared that Sreyneh had begun drinking, entered a new relationship, and stopped attending church. Then, contact faded, and we lost track of her for over a year.

But today, that was changing. After returning home and spotting Sreyneh’s missed call, we rang her back. She invited us to visit her home, and we eagerly agreed. Following her directions, we arrived to find her beaming with joy. She spread a simple bamboo mat for us to sit on and proudly introduced us to Rath, her new baby boy, who was dressed only in an oversized T-shirt and shorts despite the cooler weather.

As I touched his chilly hands and feet, I exchanged a knowing glance with Deon. We couldn’t leave without helping. We invited Sreyneh, Lenea and the baby to join us, stopping first at a market stall for warm clothes: a tiny tracksuit and extra pants for Rath, a tracksuit for shivering Lenea, and second-hand jackets for everyone. Wrapped in warmth, the little boy drifted peacefully to sleep.

We also picked up fresh bread and warm chicken to share, arriving back at their home just before sunset. They graciously invited us to stay and eat, but we promised to return soon, as we had already eaten. Driving away, tears streamed down our faces—tears of gratitude for this divine reunion.

During our visit, Sreyneh opened her heart. She confessed that she had not attended church for one and a half years and deeply missed it. Though her current partner does not yet believe in Jesus, she faithfully shares her faith with him. “I never stopped believing,” she said, longing to reconnect with her church family.

In that moment, we saw God’s perfect timing: Deon’s urge to visit the school that morning, Lenea’s warm hug, the phone call, and our drive to their home. We were able to show Sreyneh—without words—that she is still remembered and loved. She asked for nothing material; she simply wanted to see us again.

This encounter reminded us how richly we are blessed and how powerfully small acts of kindness can speak. A tracksuit, a jacket, a warm meal—to them, these were expressions of love, care and friendship.

It challenged us anew to remain mindful of those facing greater hardships, to count our own blessings daily and to share them freely without hesitation or calculation. True generosity sees the deeper needs—to be loved, valued and lifted—and responds one day at a time.

Please join us in praying for Sreyneh’s partner, that he may come to know Jesus through her gentle witness. And may we all extend grace, remembering that we cannot fully know another’s heart.

Your support makes stories like this possible—enabling us to be present, to listen and to respond with Christ’s love in Cambodia’s villages. Thank you for standing with us.

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