Hope Continues to Rise

As we reflect on the past three months, we are once again reminded that God is continually at work throughout Cambodia. Whether celebrating with families during Khmer New Year, rescuing children from exploitation, seeing lives transformed through the Gospel, or watching new believers grow in their faith, we have witnessed His faithfulness in countless ways.

Every week our Cambodian staff faithfully serve in communities across Phnom Penh, building relationships, caring for vulnerable families, discipling believers, and responding to those in crisis. While many of these moments happen quietly behind the scenes, together they are producing lasting transformation.

Celebrating Khmer New Year

April brought one of Cambodia's most cherished celebrations—Khmer New Year.

Our teams hosted celebrations across each of the communities we serve, bringing children, families, and neighbours together for food, games, music, and fellowship. These events created joyful opportunities to strengthen relationships, celebrate Cambodian culture, and spend quality time with the communities we have the privilege of serving year-round.

What may appear to be a simple celebration is often much more. For many families living in vulnerable circumstances, these gatherings provide a rare opportunity to experience belonging, joy, and genuine community. They also continue to deepen the trust that allows our staff to minister into people's lives throughout the year.

Reaching the Provinces

In May we had the privilege of hosting a wonderful team from The Finding Church.

Together we travelled into a rural province where we partnered with local churches to serve the community in several practical and spiritual ways.

More than 500 children received anti-trafficking education, equipping them with practical knowledge to recognise danger and protect themselves from exploitation. In a nation where human trafficking remains a significant issue, prevention through education is one of the most effective ways to safeguard vulnerable children before they become victims.

Alongside these educational programs, we shared the Gospel throughout the community, prayed for the sick, and witnessed God move in remarkable ways. One particularly memorable moment came during our house visits when we met an elderly woman who was both mostly deaf and mostly blind. She also appeared deeply burdened by depression and sadness. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't communicate with her. She couldn't hear us explain the Gospel, respond to our questions, or even understand when we asked if we could pray for her. We felt completely helpless.

So we simply began to pray, asking God to do what we could not. After several minutes, the woman suddenly began responding to our voices and answering our questions. God had restored her hearing. The change in her countenance was immediate as her sadness gave way to smiles and laughter. That evening she attended the church service, heard the Gospel once again, and gave her life to Jesus. The following day she returned for another service, received further prayer, and experienced the restoration of her sight as well.

Moments like these remind us that ministry is never dependent on our own abilities but on God's power to transform lives—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Standing Against Human Trafficking

One of the most significant milestones in The Mission Worldwide/Iris Phnom Penh's history came this quarter through our ongoing anti-trafficking work.

In May, we partnered with another organisation and local authorities in a coordinated operation targeting multiple brothels in Phnom Penh. By God's grace, over ten minors were rescued from sexual exploitation, and one trafficker was arrested.

We have ministered in Phnom Penh's red-light districts for more than a decade, faithfully building relationships and seeing individual lives transformed. While we have witnessed many personal breakthroughs over the years, we have never experienced anything on this scale. This was the most significant breakthroughs we have seen in this area - not only for The Mission Worldwide, but for the wider anti-trafficking community. Behind every rescue is a child whose future has been forever changed and who now has the opportunity to begin a journey toward safety, healing, and restoration.

Please continue praying for these children as they recover, and that this breakthrough would be the beginning of even greater victories in the fight against human trafficking throughout Cambodia.

Growing in Discipleship

While rescue work often captures attention, some of the greatest encouragement this quarter has come through the steady growth of discipleship within our communities.

In Samaki Community especially, our adult discipleship group has experienced significant growth over the past several months. What began as a small gathering has now grown into a thriving weekly meeting, with 35-40 adults regularly attending.

Each week these men and women gather to study Scripture, worship together, pray for one another, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Watching people develop deep roots in their faith and become leaders within their own communities is one of the greatest joys of long-term ministry.

This continued growth is an encouraging reminder that transformation extends far beyond individual decisions—it is shaping families and entire communities.

Saying Goodbye

Recently, we said goodbye to two of our missionaries as they concluded their season of ministry in Cambodia.

Over the years, they faithfully invested their lives into our staff, our communities, and the work of The Mission Worldwide. Their love, servant-hearted leadership, and commitment have left a lasting impact that will continue to be felt for years to come.

While we are saddened to see them leave, we are deeply grateful for all they have poured into this ministry and pray God's richest blessing over the next chapter of their journey.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the next season, we remain committed to seeing vulnerable children protected, families strengthened, communities transformed, and lives restored through both practical care and the hope of the Gospel.

None of this would be possible without your faithful prayers, generosity, and partnership. Every outreach, every rescue, every discipleship group, every home visit, and every life touched is possible because people like you choose to stand alongside us.

Thank you for believing in this mission. Together, we are seeing hope continue to rise across Cambodia.

Thank you for journeying with us. With much love, The Mission Worldwide/ Iris Phnom Penh Team

Please Pray With Us:

Pray for the continued healing, protection, and restoration of the children rescued from exploitation.
Pray for continued success in future rescue operations, leading to more children being freed and traffickers brought to justice.
Pray that God would continue opening doors for the Gospel and transforming lives throughout the communities we serve.
Pray that the adults attending our discipleship groups would continue to grow in their faith and become strong leaders.

Thank you for journeying with us. With much love, The Iris Phnom Penh Team

Please Pray With Us:

Pray for the continued healing, protection, and restoration of the children rescued from exploitation.
Pray for continued success in future rescue operations, leading to more children being freed and traffickers brought to justice.
Pray that God would continue opening doors for the Gospel and transforming lives throughout the communities we serve.
Pray that the adults attending our discipleship groups would continue to grow in their faith and become strong leaders.