Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. — Revelation 7:16-17, NIV
Sophy, a 41-year-old woman living in Cambodia, knows what it’s like to hunger and thirst. Living in poverty, essentials like food, clean water and hope are hard to come by for her family and those around her.
But at the church where Sophy serves, a well is springing up — nourishing bellies with warm meals and hearts with the love of Jesus.
Poverty Leaves Cambodian Families Hungry for Hope
Sophy lives in an impoverished community about 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) from the Cambodia-Thailand border. Her community suffers daily through harsh conditions: Thick smoke from a nearby burning trash dump clouds the air, water is scarce and there are very few opportunities for work.
These conditions leave families feeling hopeless to ever rise above the poverty that surrounds them. Younger adults often feel as if they have no choice but to go in search of work, leaving their families behind.
Temporary Migration Breaks Families Apart
It’s estimated that 85% of families living in Sophy’s community include someone who travels to Thailand to find work, hoping to lift their families out of poverty. In a lot of cases, those left behind are children with no one to protect and care for them. Or elderly parents who must go a long time without seeing their families.
“I feel pained to see so many elderly people and families left behind at home because their children have gone out to work far away. It’s also difficult to hear about them migrating to Thailand, those who have left their parents or grandparents. I feel sad when I hear these stories.” — Phanna, Compassion center coordinator in Sophy’s community
Sophy Is No Stranger to Hopelessness
Sophy isn’t a stranger to these challenges. Even now, she worries that soon, her son may need to leave the village to go find a livelihood across the border, performing hard and dangerous labor.
In the past, to try and earn an income, both Sophy and her husband worked under exhausting conditions as fish cutters, earning just $2.00 per day. Sadly, that income was lost when Sophy suffered a serious motorcycle accident that injured her chest.
Facing surgery, struggling through intense pain and feeling the pressing weight of poverty on her shoulders, Sophy reached a breaking point. But in one of her lowest moments, the local church introduced her to the ultimate Provider, Jesus.
God Fills Sophy’s Heart
Sophy encountered Pastor Sameth, from the community’s only church, who introduced her to Jesus. Although she was initially hesitant and fearful of being disgraced by her community, Sophy decided to follow Jesus, and her faith blossomed.
Each day, she grew closer to God. Miraculously, her chest pain disappeared, and she began fully embracing her new life as a follower of Christ. As she did, her four children followed.
Despite challenges at home, including moments when her husband despised her faith, Sophy persevered. And with the love of Jesus filling her heart to the brim, Sophy soon decided it was time to share it.
Sophy Now Fills Bellies & Feeds Souls
Pastor Sameth had noticed Sophy’s gifts. She was passionate about cooking and loved sharing about Jesus with those around her. Seeing her potential to be an incredible light, he encouraged her to start serving within the church.
The church, a partner of Compassion in Cambodia, provides meals for registered children and their families, especially those with elderly family members unable to cook for themselves. It was here that Sophy found her mission field.
In 2024, Sophy became the volunteer cook coordinator for the church’s Compassion center. And today, she prepares and delivers meals to feed and encourage families in her community twice a month, including those suffering from the pain of temporary migration.
“I am glad that I can cook for 20 families in my community because I see their smiles when they receive food from our church.” — Sophy
In addition to cooking warm meals to fill their bellies, Sophy shares the Word of God with children and their families. She spends time praying with them and reading Bible verses to them, giving them an opportunity to experience God’s love.
“I learn the Word of God through Sophy twice every month, and I am growing both physically and spiritually.” — An 87-year-old matriarch in Sophy’s community
When asked what she loves most about her work, Sophy’s eyes simply well up with tears. She knows what it’s like to be hungry. She knows how it feels to worry about her future and the possibility of being separated from her children. She knows hopelessness.
But Sophy also knows the heavenly Father.
While she’s surrounded by poverty, through him, she has lasting hope. No matter what comes next, she knows that one day, she will never hunger or thirst again. And daily, she makes it her mission to ensure those around her have that same hope to carry them through.
Meeting Jesus changed Sophy’s life. Now, through her church and local Compassion center, she gets to partner with him to change the lives of others. You, too, can join Sophy in changing lives by providing food and other critical care to those in desperate need.
