When Elder David B.J. Hoare of Melbourne, Australia, met Sam Sophon on the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1999 as a young missionary, the two had no idea the ripple effect their first conversation would have.
Now, 26 years later, Sophon and his wife, Chan Sovan, have been the means of bringing hundreds of Cambodians to the gospel, according to the Church’s Asia Newsroom.
Their story has come full circle as the former Elder Hoare has returned to Cambodia, this time as the Cambodia Phnom Penh West Mission president. He now serves with individuals brought to the Church by Sophon and Sovan, whom he taught years ago.
Protected By a Higher Power
Sophon and Sovan grew up in Cambodia during the communist rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Sophon and Sovan witnessed many atrocities during the Khmer Rouge’s time in power—including deaths of family members—but both recall feeling personally protected from harm.
Although they had not yet learned about God, both believed in some kind of higher power.
Visit Church News to read the full story.
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