Teaching, An Opportunity for Sopheaktra to Share the Gospel

The new school semester is starting in Cambodia, and we are praying for the orphaned and vulnerable children we serve to confidently know who they are as children of God. When they know they are God’s children, their actions reflect the goodness of God.

We continue to renovate our ministry site, including bathrooms, bedrooms, and the church living room. Because of these additions, we will be able to house additional orphaned and vulnerable children this year.

You make it possible to reach children like Sopheaktra with the Gospel. We hope you’ll be blessed by his story.

—Cambodia & Thailand Team

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Sopheaktra dreamed of becoming a teacher for as long as he can remember.

He loves teaching, not only because he enjoys interacting with groups of children, but it’s his way of making a lasting impact by sharing the Gospel.

When Sopheaktra was 3 years old, his father left his mother and her four children to fend for themselves. Out of necessity, his mother left to Thailand to find work, hoping to return soon. Sopheaktra and his three sisters stayed with their aunt.  

While his mother was gone, a Christian Pastor came to their village in Cambodia to teach English and the Bible. After attending classes, Sopheaktra was excited to go to church and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

When Sopheaktra’s mother returned, she became sick and tragically passed away.

As much as Sopheaktra loved school, he lost all hope of continuing his education after his mother passed. He prepared to drop out so he could provide for his basic needs.

But then, our team stepped in.

Sopheaktra received Gospel-centered, holistic care and could continue his studies. He shares—

“I used to always worry about everything, such as how will I study, and how will I eat? But now, I don’t worry at all because God has provided all things for me. I can continue my studies and also study the Bible.”

Sopheaktra’s favorite scripture is John 3:16, because he says, “It is the heart of the Bible and shows me Jesus loves me a lot and has sacrificed for me and all people.”

This scripture also fuels his passion for teaching because he has decided to sacrifice his free time on behalf of younger orphaned and vulnerable children. At our ministry site in Cambodia, Sopheaktra spends his free time teaching enrichment classes in a variety of subjects, including math, chemistry, and English.

Every Sunday, Sopheaktra also joins other older students and travels to nearby villages to teach English and share the Gospel, the very thing that introduced him to Jesus when he was 13.

For Sopheaktra, teaching is more than just helping children learn academics.

He explains—

“When I teach the kids in the village who don’t have money to study like me, they are so happy, and it makes me happy too. I can share the Gospel with them, and they will know about Jesus. When I teach, sometimes kids come to church on Sundays.” 

Regarding Sopheaktra’s personal growth, our activities director says Sopheaktra is “growing with faith.” He continues to engage in a daily Bible study with other students, an important part of his spiritual development. Our team has witnessed positive changes in his attitude, words, and grades over the past two years. 

In August, Sopheaktra will graduate from high school and plans to attend university. He will study English Education and will join a group of other graduates from our ministry, living in Lifesong housing for university students. 

We rejoice that God continues to equip Sopheaktra to reach many more orphaned and vulnerable children like him.

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Will you help orphaned and vulnerable children in Cambodia experience the hope of the Gospel?

When you give to Lifesong, you show orphaned and vulnerable children they are seen, known, and loved through Gospel-centered holistic care. Thanks to TMG Foundation, 100% of your gift goes directly to helping orphaned and vulnerable children.