Tbong Kmum province is located in the heart of Cambodia and is known for its vast agricultural landscapes, particularly its rubber plantations and fertile fields. The province was officially established in 2013, having been carved out of Kampong Cham province. Its capital, Suong, serves as the economic and administrative center. Tbong Kmum is also recognized for its cultural heritage and historical significance, with ties to ancient Khmer history and a vibrant local community. The province’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, with a strong focus on cash crops that are essential to the country’s agricultural sector.
A Warm Welcome in Tbong Kmum
When our team thinks of Tbong Kmum province, a deep sense of warmth and familiarity comes to mind. This feeling comes from the incredible hospitality of the Provincial Pastors’ Council who have truly welcomed us into their family. Their friendship and support make every visit feel like a homecoming.
We are especially grateful for the kindness of Pastor Sopheak, the Chairperson of the Provincial Pastors’ Council. During durian season, he consistently goes out of his way to share a generous supply of this delicious fruit with us. This simple act of friendship has become a cherished symbol of the strong, familial bond we share with the leaders and community in Tbong Kmum.
A Test of Faith and Resilience
The warmth of our welcome was especially poignant this time, as we arrived to news of a difficult event. Just one day before our arrival, Pastor Sopheak was in a serious motorbike accident. While his motorbike was badly damaged, we are so thankful that, by God’s grace, he was protected from severe injury.
Despite the pain he was experiencing, Pastor Sopheak’s commitment and resilience were evident. With the support of other leaders, he was still able to organize and host the seminar at his church. His dedication is a testament to his strong faith and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. We believe this was an attack, not on our DPM team, but directly on the Chairperson of the Pastors’ Council, who so selflessly helped us organize the seminar. Whatever happens, we know that the Lord is in control and is pleased with our mission to deliver the message of love, salvation and truth to empower the local churches serving their own community.
Seminar with Local Pastors
It is always our honor to share what we have with the local churches. This time, we distributed five books to each pastor, namely You Matter to God, Will You Intercede?, Applying the Blood, Spiritual Warfare and Authority and Power of God’s Word.
The seminar was attended by 48 pastors, representing 25 churches from the province. As always, we began by lifting up the name of Jesus through praise and worship, dedicating the entire seminar to the Lord. We then broke into small groups for discussion, allowing us to delve deeply into each book’s title. Many questions were raised by the local pastors, and we were truly amazed by the revelation the Lord had for us all during the seminar. The discussions were rich and insightful, and it was a joy to witness the pastors’ eagerness to grow in their faith.
Testimony of Pastor Um Savuth – Simon Church
I thank God for saving me and pouring His grace upon my life. By His mercy, He not only redeemed me but also called me to serve His Kingdom—a calling I am humbled and honored to follow.
Today, I had the privilege of joining a seminar with DPM, where my group and I studied a powerful lesson on Spiritual Warfare. This teaching reminded me that I am part of God’s army and that our Lord Jesus Christ is the mighty leader who equips and strengthens me to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes.
Through this lesson, I was reminded that victory does not come from my own strength, wisdom, or ability. True victory comes only by relying on God’s power. As the Scripture says:
“The battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
I am deeply grateful to God for His constant protection over my life and that of my family. This seminar encouraged me to grow stronger in prayer, to share my testimony boldly, and to worship Him with all my heart.
I sincerely thank God for the opportunity to learn through this DPM seminar. My faith has been strengthened, and my focus has been renewed toward God’s purpose for my life. May God bless you all.
Supporting Displaced Families in Preah Vihear Province
Following the seminar in Tbong Kmum, the Pastors’ Council of Preah Vihear province reached out to us asking for support. Due to the recent conflict at the border between Cambodia and Thailand, many people have been displaced from their homes. It has been more than a month and the situation remains unstable, preventing them from returning. Food supplies are running low, and many villagers have been forced to stay in Buddhist pagodas where the government is sending food aid.
However, the Christian community, displaced from the border, rejected this arrangement, causing the Pastors’ Council to reach out to us, asking for support. Since we had some funds remaining from the sale of a vehicle, we immediately took action. We purchased dried food and organized an outreach event in partnership with the Provincial Pastors’ Council. The goal was not only to support the displaced Christians but also to reach out to more than 300 villagers from the border area, sharing the message that there is only one true God who cares and loves them—His name is Jesus. Each person was also gifted a copy of Derek’s book Extravagant Love. We give all praise to God, as many hearts were touched and many hands were raised, accepting Jesus as their savior.