In July, a border dispute between Cambodia and neighboring Thailand escalated to a heavy exchange of artillery fire, forcing people near the border to flee their homes. Some sought safety in shelters, while others were welcomed by families who opened their homes to strangers escaping the conflict. BSOP team member, Aide Rose, serving in Oudor Meanchey province near the border, was among those evacuated.

The widespread safety concerns stirred up fear and reopened deep wounds from years of historical hardship and trauma. Yet, BSOP’s Cambodia team remained ready to serve and minister through the pain. They held payer meetings and Bible studies, creating welcoming spaces for deep, healing conversations. Together, they strengthened one another through prayer and shared insights from God’s Word.

Mary Jane described these moments as “a sacred opportunity to listen, comfort, and pray with them.” She shared how the church became a source of support by gathering more earnestly in prayer, as a place for people to share their stories from the past and talk through fears they were experiencing from the current conflict. They talked about the survival of the past that “left scars on bodies, minds, and souls”.