Susan and I got to spend the month of February in Cambodia with an incredible family. Farmers by trade the Roeung family has quickly become one of our most favored hosts on the race. They gratuitously served us and shared with us everything they had. Each one of them possesses an incredible work ethic but most importantly they all love Christ and can’t help but show it in how they treat others.
Somanak Lach (Pu Na): Joy
After witnessing the murder of his family by the Khamer Rouge he narrowly escaping with his own life. This man now is the father of nine children and he works hard every day picking fruit or tending the farm in order to provide for his family. I can only imagine the things he has seen and been through in his lifetime but all he talks about is the blessings and goodness of God. And don’t let the smile fool ya, he’s a ruthless card player.
Sokom Chuon (Ming Kom): Love
The best word I can find to describe our Cambodian mamma is intense. She can out work, out last, and out right talk anybody. So when she met Jesus I think she took it upon herself to make sure everybody knows about Him. She will be farming by her husband’s side and next thing you know she’s all dressed up and headed to a wedding. But make no mistake, we called her mamma for a reason. She was always giving us something special to remember her family by. She has a heart of gold and even if you can’t understand what she’s saying you know she loves you and wants the best for you.
Toni: Faithfulness
Although she is the oldest child, Toni appears in stature to be the youngest. But make no mistake, height is not a measure of maturity or capacity to serve. Toni spends all morning teaching preschool and them comes home and helps cook, clean and other things. After that she goes to work on the farm only to come back and teach English classes. She lights up every room she walks into and loves on every child she meets. If you can’t find her doing any of the things mentioned above, odds are she is praying in the community or out helping someone with something. I can honestly say I have never met anyone like her.
Tonet: Kindness
Tonet married his wife Sreylin and now has two beautiful children. You can carry on a conversation with him about anything because he listens and is just plain easy to talk to. He and his brothers would do anything for you. Somehow he escaped picture time but luckily his family did not.
Chanla: Goodness
Even though he just got married to a beautiful woman named Sineang two weeks prior to our arrival, Chanla set up all of our ministry and was there to drive us to each one. He pastors New Light Church and it’s obvious when he prays, sings, or preaches that he is full of the God’s love. He’s a man with big dreams and passions and nothing is going to stand in the way of them. Also, he WILL beat you at ping pong.
Seyha: Patience
Although he lives with a bunch of sisters Seyha is incredibly patient. An aspiring lawyer Seyha works as hard in his studies as he does at home. He’s not afraid to cook the meals or clean up. He loves his family unconditionally and we all know that takes a little patience here and there.
Sreypich: gentleness
She was our incredibly gracious cook for the month. All month we ate like kings and it was because of this beautiful daughter of Christ. When she was an child Sreypich had a hole in her heart. Her family sold everything they had but could not pay for surgery. With complete faith and reliance on God, her parents pursued every possible solution until miraculously the director of a hospital gratuitously allowed the surgery at almost no cost. This is exactly how Sreypich served us all month.
Sreypov: Peace
The youngest of the bunch Sreypov is a lot like her mother. She’s got an amazing voice and lucky for us wasn’t afraid to use it while we were there. Laying in our tents late at night we found it hard to sleep sometimes. Between the motorcycles, dogs, and random outbursts of chanting, we longed for some quiet. But every so often Sreypov would come outside and sing worship songs to what she assumed was herself. And that’s when we finally found some peace at night.
There are three more sons I didn’t mention as they don’t live with or near the family and although my interactions with them were few I can almost guarantee they exemplify some of the same qualities as there siblings just because I know who raised them.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we literally landed on this family’s doorstep. They’ve showed us some of the sweetest fruits we have ever tasted.
2 Tim 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Thank you Roeung Family. Your reward is great, thank you for showing us what it means to be rich in the goodness of God.
