From Conflict to Calm: Giving Thanks to God for His Faithfulness

The 18 soldiers were released at the Pailin border and taken to Battambang Old Airport (just behind my rented apartment) before flying to Phnom Penh today.

As this year comes to a close, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude to God. What began with fear, uncertainty, and the sound of conflict around us has ended with a measure of calm through the ceasefire. Truly, the Lord has been our refuge and strength in times of trouble.

There were days when war felt too close—when families were displaced, homes and livelihoods were lost, and peace seemed far away. Yet in the midst of it all, God sustained us. He protected lives, strengthened weary hearts, and united His people in prayer. We witnessed firsthand that God is faithful, even when circumstances are unstable.

We thank the Lord for answered prayers—especially for the release of those held captive, and for the renewed sense of peace now felt in our communities. Eighteen Cambodian soldiers who had been held captive for 155 days were released by Thai military forces this morning, December 31. Though the wounds of conflict remain and rebuilding will take time, we choose to end this year not with fear, but with faith and thanksgiving. Our hope has never been in the absence of war, but in the presence of God.

As we move into the new year, we continue to trust the Lord for healing, restoration, and lasting peace. Thank you for standing with us through your prayers, encouragement, and partnership. Together, we give glory to God, who remains faithful yesterday, today, and forever.

Blessed New Year!

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

Psalm 65:11

Theara, a mother of a 10-day-old baby, was forced to flee her home when her village of Sompauv Loun was severely affected by the war. Together with her husband and mother, she sought refuge at a Baptist church serving as an evacuation center. Her baby is named Mary.

More than 70 evacuee families are taking shelter in this church. We praise the Lord for the opportunity to encourage them through His Word, as many of these evacuees are fellow believers.

Please pray for:

1.  A lasting peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.

2.  That the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to spread, as many people are open and receptive to hearing about Him.

3. Peace and comfort for Dara and her family as they grieve the loss of her uncle, who took his own life on December 28 after being overwhelmed by the war. Dara’s family has endured two painful losses this December.

4.  Good health, as I have not been feeling well lately.


--

In Christ,
Mary Jane G. Aragon
BSOP Cambodia missionary

www.globalhz.org/bsop-aragon
P.O. 369 Box Battambang City, Kingdom of Cambodia

+855770305008

https://mjaragonbsop.blogspot.com




 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Turning Fear into Triumph God transforms our greatest fears into stepping stones of victory. Danoch and Li were married during the border conflict. It was a simple, traditional wedding, yet the journey to that day was not easy for either family. By the grace of God, the ceremony was carried through. Dara and I upheld them in prayer throughout the process. As the eldest in her family, Dara carried a vital role in helping make crucial decisions. With her school only a kilometer from the border where conflict is still going on, she endured exhausting two-and-a-half-hour rides back and forth on her motorcycle. Yet even in the midst of work, family responsibilities, and the border tensions, God’s grace sustained her. Danoch & Li's Wedding Dara and family Danoch and me. At WABC, the church has been gathering more earnestly in prayer. Many Cambodians are deeply afraid—the clashes at the border in late July rekindled painful memories of the past. The trauma of years ago left sca...
Read more
Image
  A QUARTER OF PRAYER, LOVE, AND COURAGE   Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.     And do everything with love.  (I Corinthians 16:13-14) Shine's intentional discipleship ministry seeks to obey the will of the Father . Prayer and fasting are integral parts of every fiscal year. All glory to God for answering our prayers favorably as we commenced the first quarter of 2025. Prayer and Breakfast followed after the solitude. God, in His grace and mercy, blessed us to have an extended time with His Word and in prayer. Spending time together in prayer and worship in January. Pastor Ariel was sharing the Word. Shine Cell Group dinner in January with Pastor Ariel & wife with friends.  I praise God for the Self Deployment Inventory (SDI)  seminar in January at C&MA Phnom Penh. BSOP blessed the team Cambodia to join this seminar to which I found helpful, both personally and in ministry.   The ministry started ...
Read more
Image
  Please PRAY for Cambodia and Thailand July 28, 2025 Borders remain closed on both sides due to ongoing tensions. The death toll continues to rise, and food scarcity is becoming a real concern, particularly in northeastern and northwestern Cambodia—areas near the border where approximately 80% to 90% of goods are imported from Thailand. Please pray for the leaders of both nations, who are scheduled to meet today in Malaysia at 3:00 PM on July 28, 2025, in hopes of reaching a lasting and peaceful resolution.  Exodus. Cambodians are gripped by fear once again, haunted by memories of the painful past from four decades ago. Thousands of families—many with elderly members and young children—are being displaced, forced to leave their homes and seek shelter under tractors, tents, and trees, without access to basic necessities such as food, toilets, clean water, and electricity. Photo credits: Courtesy of Facebook friends' posts. Government leaders have appealed for help f...
Read more