“Thailand dropped two bombs on Siem Reap today with bomber planes,” was Theary’s daily news report to me when she came to work, helping me around the house.

War is on the mind of every Cambodian as the border clash between Thailand and Cambodia over long-contested temples and land on Cambodia’s side intensifies. While everyone is tentatively hoping it fizzles out soon, fear still licks at the heart like flames of an encroaching wildfire. On Sabbath, Eric felt it was a good time to revisit Matthew 24 with our group.

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . .
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (verses 6-7).

“I am so amazed at God’s power,” Theary exclaimed after the reading. “How is it that the Bible was written a long time ago, but it talks about the wars that are happening right now around the world?”

The other ladies voiced their agreement.

“Jesus is telling us this so we know that this is going to happen, and so we can have courage before it happens,” Eric contributed. They continued reading to discover that “Someday, people may even blame the wars on us Christians, and we will be persecuted for Jesus’ name’s sake,” Eric added, but it was not without the promise that “He who endures to the end will be saved” (verse 13).

Imagine not having these encouraging words to get you through life in the sometimes frightening world in which we live. Everyone deserves to know that there is a Book (and a God) that predicted centuries ago the very events happening in our world today, with instructions on how to handle them. We cannot keep this information to ourselves! Every person needs to hear this news, even along the Great River of Southeast Asia where we live.

Theary told me one day, “I feel so bad for the Cambodian people who are so afraid. I’m not afraid, but everyone is so scared. I feel so bad for them.” Theary has the peace that passes all understanding. We know how the story ends, and that brings such hope and endurance. Please continue to pray for the ongoing conflict, that God’s will be done and lives are preserved.

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