Featured Articles
Our Christmas in Cambodia
By Som Rasavanh
It brings a smile to my face when my Facebook memories pop up in December, reminding me of the pictures we posted when we were in Cambodia for Christmas in 2016. The scent of tropical flowers, hibiscus, and plumeria lingers in my memories. I love seeing the photos of our two girls, Victoria and Sarah, playing with the baby chicks that Ly and Sarin Mak, directors of LifeSong Learning Center (LLC), raised.
Another favorite is of the girls with the LLC youth with a caption that reads, “Clearly Sarah is the favorite here!” Although the trip was five years ago, it doesn’t seem that much time has passed. Perhaps it is still fresh in my mind and in my heart because every year when my husband and I talk about international travel again, specifically to Southeast Asia, we are determined that Cambodia LifeSong Learning Center will be one of our frequent stops.
To give a little background, my husband, Boun, was one of the seven men from LifeSong Church of the Open Bible in Des Moines, Iowa, that participated in a short-term mission trip to Cambodia in the fall of 2007. The men visited a few landmarks, walked through the villages, and prayed for the locals. They used some of the money raised by our church to build a playground for one of the schools. I cannot remember all the details, but it was after that trip that the vision for LLC began.
I remember wondering how our little church could raise enough money to start a school. Looking back, I see how little my faith was. Today LLC is another affirmation of how big our God is. As Jesus said in Mark 10:27 (NIV), “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Ly and Sarin used to attend LifeSong Church with us. They are like a brother and sister to my family. My husband and I refer to them as such; our kids call them aunt and uncle. When the Maks moved to Cambodia to oversee the building of the new school, it was always the plan that we would see it in person.
The 2016 reunion with Ly and Sarin was as wonderful as I had expected it would be. The icing on the cake was that both our girls were able to join us. We had specifically traveled during their winter break so they could come along. Our eldest, Victoria, was a senior at Iowa State University in Ames at the time and our youngest, Sarah, a sophomore in high school.
The night we arrived in Phnom Penh we ate dinner at 1:00 a.m. local time, which is a slightly late lunch for Iowa people! Before we left for the trip, Sarin had asked my husband what he would like to eat while in Cambodia. He obliged her and named a few tropical fruits that he couldn’t wait to eat. “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:7)! Sarin had her tropical fruits lined up. We tasted every one of them at about 2 a.m. that very first night!
We arrived in Cambodia only a few days before Christmas, prepared to get down to work doing whatever Ly and Sarin had in store for us to do to prepare for the Christmas day event. To our surprise, they had planned a few days’ fun trip to Siem Riep, about a six-hour drive from Phnom Penh, for eating, shopping, and sightseeing. Nothing perks up girls like shopping! But we were so grateful to be able to spend this time together with the Maks to catch up before heading to LLC.
I would have expected the Maks to be a little stressed out from planning the Christmas day event or to be frantically texting and calling people to coordinate the final details, but I sensed none of that. They were calm and present, one of many reasons I admire them so much. They are so grounded in their faith. They trust that God is in control.
Waking up on Christmas morning to the beautiful sights and sounds of more than 800 children moving around the Center, I felt like a kid discovering piles of presents under the tree on Christmas morning, only better. The LLC Christmas day event was everything that I had imagined it would be and so much more.
The night before, Christmas Eve, several volunteers had stayed up past midnight finishing up decorations and food and gift preparation. Ly and Sarin could not have slept more than a couple hours that night if they slept at all.
We were surprised to learn that children in the village apparently are early risers. They started arriving at the center at 6 a.m.! Thankfully, the Maks are experts by now. They have lined up trained youth leaders and a dozen friends from the city to volunteer each year. Their crew handled a crowd of 1,000 people with ease, an amazing sight to watch. The stage was decorated with fresh orchids and Christmas decorations. The children enjoyed typical Christmas programs, music, songs, and dances, and a short skit of Mary and baby Jesus at the stable.
When it was time to pass out the gift packages, Ly and Sarin made sure no child was left behind. A package containing a new school uniform, school supplies, and a lunch bag prepared with love was given to each one. The lunch bags contained a sandwich, dessert, and a water bottle. At first I was surprised that the kids didn’t immediately dive into their lunch bags to devour their treats, but then I learned that most of them wanted to take their bags home to share with their families!
Boun, Victoria, Sarah, and I were given plenty of opportunities to help hand out the gift packages and lunch bags and to pose for pictures. It was such a heart-filled and blessed day for everyone, filled with happy faces and joyful sounds! My heart was so full, my spirit lifted. I was so thankful my husband and I were able to take part in the event, and most important, to have our girls be part of this unique endeavor.
The trip was a humbling experience for both our girls. It helped them understand the joy of giving and serving in any capacity and showed them they could bring so much joy to others. Afterward, Sarah joined the worship team at LifeSong Church and began helping with Sunday School when her schedule allows.
She shared her experience as follows:
At the time, I had just turned 16. I was young and didn’t have much interest in God; perhaps I was even skeptical of Him. I was aware that our church had these programs going on [in Cambodia] and that we continued to donate towards this cause, but that’s kind of where my contribution ended.When we went, I was able to witness the church’s, really God’s, work right in front of my own eyes. I think after spending so much time with the other kids and watching the preparations happen, I was able to better understand how God works in each and every individual. What these children lacked in resources was instead filled with God’s love and strength. I could see it myself. We in America think that these villagers have so little, that they are so poor, but they themselves don’t see it that way. To them, what God has given them is enough, and they are so grateful for it. It definitely changed how I appreciated the little joys in life and now recognize that they were given to me by God.
Victoria became a volunteer light/sound engineer for the church she attends in Minnesota. I can see both girls going on other short-term missions trips in the future.
Although Ly and Sarin didn’t outwardly display signs of stress, it is clear that so much work and so much love goes into their yearly Christmas programs. It takes a village, literally, to cook 1,000 meals, package 1,000 gifts, and coordinate an entire program.
I know Ly and Sarin have said this before, but it really could not have succeeded without much prayer, financial, and physical support from God’s army all over the world. I’ve taken part in fundraisers here in the States for this annual Christmas event in Cambodia since the inception of this ministry, and every year the number of children in attendance has grown.
At first our target was to raise ten dollars per child to cover the cost of a school uniform, school supplies, and a small lunch for each of the children. I believe it was the second year that the number of kids who participated grew to 300, and then we pretty much lost count after that. In 2016, the year we participated, Ly and Sarin reported around 900 participants.
As I’m writing this article, LifeSong Church is gearing up for a fundraiser for Christmas Cambodia 2021. With the COVID situation, the Christmas program plan for this year is still somewhat unclear, but the Maks and their ministry team always find creative ways to reach the children and their families in the villages. Ten dollars (equating to two Starbucks coffees) could help pay for a child’s school uniform, enough school supplies for a whole year, and a nice meal the students can share with their families. For many of them, this is their first encounter when they have knowingly experienced God’s love.
God is doing amazing work in Cambodia. I feel blessed beyond words to have seen this ministry in motion. If you ever want to participate through prayer or financial support or if God is calling you to be on the front line, I’m sure Ly and Sarin would welcome you with open hearts.
To learn more about the Maks’ ministry or to donate, go to: www.openbible.org/mission/global-outreach/missionaries
If you wish to give to help the Christmas outreach of Lifesong Learning Center, please send your check written out to Open Bible Churches and write in the memo, “Christmas Lifesong.”
About the Author
Som Rasavanh lives in Ankeny, Iowa, and works as an IT Application Development Manager for ITS Inc. (SHAZAM). She and her family are longtime members of LifeSong Church of the Open Bible in Des Moines, Iowa, where Som is currently serving as a board member. Som and her husband, Boun, have two daughters, Victoria and Sarah. Victoria has since moved out of the state for work, but you’ll find that Boun and Sarah are often part of the worship team on Sundays.
The diaspora of the Tai Dam refugees in 1975 to Des Moines, Iowa, fueled a first generation of Tai Dam Americans adapting to new ways of life, blending language, culture, and embracing the numerous opportunities in the US. I was part of that first generation. Three years after my parents’ settlement in Iowa, I was born and became the first in my family to acquire an American education and step into a church. We were blessed to have Christian sponsors who helped us transition from our homeland to America.
Every Sunday, our sponsors would take me, my sister, and several of my cousins to church service at the First Church of the Open Bible. Naomi Young was one of the many people who was significant in my life; she gave me my first Bible. Through the faithfulness of Naomi and others at the church, seeds of faith were planted as I was told about a man named Jesus who died on the cross for me. I was curious, but I did not understand and did not accept Him into my life at that time. Attending church was short-lived, coming to a halt when I was eight years old. The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home. My parents and grandmother believed and practiced animism and ancestral worship, which is the veneration and honoring of the dead. Confusion infiltrated my mind, and my desire to attend church ceased. While I abandoned everything that was taught to me in Sunday school, I always kept my Bible in a special place underneath my pillow because something in my heart could not throw it away.
The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home.
When I was twenty-two years old, my cousin took me to a Buddhist temple to have my fortune read. There, sitting in front of me, were three monks. One monk opened his notebook, wrote in it, then read to me my childhood, present life, and future life story up to the time I would turn thirty years old. He then shut his notebook and told me, “I am done.” When I asked him, “Why?” he told me only, “I cannot read you anymore.” That same week I went to a card reader and had my fortune read. Again, he read my childhood, present life, and up to the age I would be thirty, then stopped. I told him, “You are the second person that could not read me past thirty; tell me – do I die?” He quickly gathered his cards, saying only, “I cannot tell you.”
Throughout my adult life in my twenties, I was in an unhealthy, abusive relationship, which led to an alcohol addiction. When I was twenty-six, I became pregnant and had my daughter, Kaylee, on January 31, 2005. God was already working in my life, and I did not know it; He was molding me and reminding me of who He was through the darkest moments of my life. Around that time, I came upon a childhood friend who worked as a cashier at Hy-Vee; she would tell me, “Soukham, God is so good.” Though I resisted, the words she spoke over me resonated in my heart. Not long after, I found myself attending her funeral. Worship and praise were included in the Christian service. I was confused, but a part of me had the desire to know more about the God they said was so good and how through Him there would be no more pain and suffering. When I left the funeral, the Lord continued to reveal Himself to me through divine encounters. In July of 2008, I took a position at Nationwide Insurance where I reconnected with an old high school friend. She invited me to a Thanksgiving potluck at her church, and my walk with the Lord began soon after.
From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story.
I was thirty years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The verse that will remain with me forever is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV).
Now I understand why the monk and card reader could not read my life past the age of thirty. At that age, I became a new creation because of Jesus Christ, and the enemy no longer had a hold on me! Jesus continued to bless me and my daughter. Amid my pain and struggles, God brought a man into my life, my husband Othone (Pong), who became a father to Kaylee. We got married on September 15, 2010. Together the Lord blessed us with two more children, Isaac and Silas. In 2017, the Lord called us to serve in Iowa at Kingdom Life Church (now Kingdom City Church).
In November 2021, the Lord instilled in Pong’s heart a dream to build a charitable foundation to address needs in the vulnerable communities of Southeast Asia. The foundation would have a Christ-centered vision: to make and equip future disciples, providing them with sustainable resources and empowering them to advance beyond their current situation. Through continuous prayer and the Lord’s guidance, the foundation was born in April 2023 and officially named Nations in Need (NIN). Recently in 2023 and 2024, the Lord took Pong, Kaylee, and three of our brothers, Ap, Peng, and Bay, on trips to Southeast Asia where they built relationships, served the communities, ministered to the people, and spread the good news about Jesus Christ. Today, NIN has branched into multiple communities in Southeast Asia. Through the work of a future center in Southeast Asia, we will expand NIN’s mission and go wherever the Lord leads.
Throughout my whole life God has carried me, even when I didn’t know it. From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story. Whether the next chapter is in America, Southeast Asia, or somewhere else, I will follow Christ, forever His new creation.
About the Author
Soukham Khanthavixay
Soukham Khanthavixay and her husband, Pong, are active members of Kingdom City Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They reside in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with their three children and two dogs. Soukham is a registered nurse at a local county hospital and also works for Nations in Need (NIN), the ministry her husband founded. Her family and ministry team work together to expand the mission of NIN and spread the gospel. To learn more about Nations in Need, follow them on Facebook or Instagram: @nationsinneed.
Spirit and Truth Church began as a dream amidst the stormy backdrop of January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges that the world faced, we found ourselves thriving, anchored by the belief that God’s plans always prevail. As we say on our website, we are passionate about helping people “find freedom in the fullness” of both the Spirit and the Word. This foundational vision has carried us through times of uncertainty and propelled us forward.
Yet, for all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island—thriving, yes, but lacking the covering, coaching, counsel, and care that every church needs to flourish long term. In 2022, at the first MOVEMENT conference, God spoke directly to my heart, telling me that Spirit and Truth Church was meant to be part of the Open Bible Church family. This call was a turning point for our ministry. In 2023, I was credentialed through Open Bible Churches, and in February of this year (2024), we became officially affiliated with Open Bible Churches’ Mountain Plains region. Since then, the blessings have been immense.
For all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island.
Being part of Open Bible has been transformative for us. We have received so much investment, training, and support. Open Bible has helped us shore up essential aspects of our ministry: leadership, organization, staffing, budget, facilities, and more. Our growth has been remarkable—we’ve doubled in size, growing from 60 to 120 regular attendees in the past year. This growth, I believe, is a testament to both the godly covering of Open Bible and the Spirit-led outreaches we engage in. Our church has a culture of lifestyle evangelism and hospitality where all our members are witnesses and welcomers. In addition, we have forged strategic partnerships with other ministries.
One of the most exciting partnerships we have is with Every Heart Tours, a ministry led by fiery, Jesus-loving college students from Michigan. These students come to stay with us for a week at a time, engaging in outdoor worship outreaches and “prophetic treasure hunts.” If you’re unfamiliar with this term, a prophetic treasure hunt is an evangelistic practice where participants ask the Holy Spirit to reveal specific details about people they will meet, and then they go into the community to find these “treasures.” It’s a beautiful, Spirit-led adventure allowing us to partner with God and minister to people in our city in a unique way. We’ve seen so many lives touched and transformed through these treasure hunts.
What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people.
One of the most powerful testimonies from these outreaches happened this summer (2024). We had a team of prophetic ministers giving specific words to people as we worshipped in Fort Collins Old Town square. We preached the gospel boldly, and by the end of the night eleven people made the decision to be baptized! We walked down to the Poudre River and witnessed the supernatural power of God as they went under the water and came up renewed. It was a moment that felt like the early church, where “the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47 NIV).
Of course, ministry isn’t always easy. We’ve faced rejection and opposition. But we hold firm to the truth of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The harvest is plentiful, and we’ve seen this reality unfold before our eyes. As we continue to partner with ministries, step out in faith, and preach the gospel, we trust that God will continue to bring more people into His kingdom.
Our journey with Open Bible has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness. What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people. We remain committed to spreading the good news and making sure outreach and evangelism are at the heart of our ministry. The harvest is ready, Open Bible fam – let’s go bring it in!
About the Author
Rob Bray
Rob Bray is a marketplace and ministry leader with over a decade of experience in both business and church contexts. He is the founder and lead pastor of Spirit + Truth Church, an Open Bible Church in the Mountain Plains Region. Rob has catalyzed successful companies, grown healthy ministries, and spoken at influential conferences, workshops, and events. Rob’s expertise and passion have made him a trusted advisor and coach for leaders and entrepreneurs seeking breakthroughs in multiple areas including life, marriage, and business. Rob and his wife Bethany live on their homestead in Fort Collins, CO, with their six children: Nehemiah, Nora, Noelle, Neely, Nayla, and Nicholas. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding.
As we approach another election season, we find ourselves once again in an environment bringing tension, division, and uncertainty to people, including those within the Church. It is during times like this, however, that we as the Church can shine brightly. In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
The apostle Paul instructs us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20 NIV), and as followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to God and His kingdom. While politics does have its importance and influence, it is reassuring to know our hope is not based upon human leaders or systems but in the Lord who reigns over all.
In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
There is no question that, as followers of Christ, we should engage in our civic duties with a kingdom-minded perspective and a biblical worldview. We vote, we pray for our leaders, we seek the welfare of our communities (Jer. 29:7), and we engage others with love. And as we do all of this, we hold to the truth that God’s sovereignty transcends the outcomes of elections.
In times that seem unstable or fragile, God’s Word tells us “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Heb.12:28). We serve an “unshakable kingdom.” Governments change, leaders come and go, and through it all, God’s kingdom remains. It is unshakable, eternal, and built upon His righteousness and justice. No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority. It is His church that holds the keys to unlock heaven on earth and bring light to the darkness.
Here is the reality we stand upon: It is God who “controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings” (Dan. 2:21 NLT), and “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Prov. 21:1 KJV).
Because of this truth, we can embrace Paul’s word to the Philippians: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NLT). Based on this passage, if we are a people of prayer who walk in faith, seek God’s wisdom, and are grateful, THEN we know we will experience a peace that goes beyond natural understanding. I am reminded, comforted, and convinced of this truth, and it is an anchor to my soul.
No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority.
This November’s election will be followed in December by the celebration of Christ’s birth. What a perfect time to remember that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. This name, given to Jesus, is more than just a title; it is a promise that no matter what happens around us, God’s presence is constant and unchanging.
Whether the outcome of the election brings joy or disappointment, whether policies align with your hopes or create concerns, remember Emmanuel – God is with us. He is present in our churches, in our communities, in our families, and in our lives. He is not distant or disconnected; He is personally and actively involved in the lives of His people. Whoever is elected and however people respond – God still sits on the throne, His Kingdom is unshakable, and His plans are unstoppable. GOD IS WITH US.
Some practical steps for consideration:
- Pray for our leaders, regardless of who they are: Pray for their wisdom, discernment, and a spirit of humility.
- Stay united as the body of Christ: Let a heart of unity, love, and the bond of peace be what others see.
- Keep an eternal perspective: Engage in the political process, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
- Live out the things that will remain: faith, hope and love.
About the Author
Michael Nortune
Michael Nortune serves as president of Open Bible Churches. He has ministered in the local church faithfully for 35 years. From his start as a janitor and groundskeeper to lead pastor of Life Church in Concord, California, Michael has had the opportunity to gain experience in every capacity within the church throughout his ministry. Not only does he have hands-on experience on the local level, but Michael has also led at the district, regional, and national levels within Open Bible Churches. Michael and his wife Julie currently reside in Colorado and love living near five of their six children and their spouses. They also treasure the time they spend with their other daughter who lives in Alabama with their first (but not the last) grandson!
