Sokhom's Story

Hiiiii.

Okay so I think it's time you guys get to hear the incredible story of a man named Sokhom.

Cambodia has had an incredibly violent past. The Vietnam War, civil wars, and rebellions are just a few things on the list of events that have shaped this country. It has been broken many times and is therefore, a fairly "new" country due to its lost heritage. One of the most known events in Cambodia's history were "The Killing Fields." This occurred during the "reign" of a man named Pol Pot from 1975-1979. He was a Communist leader who, when he came into power, began questioning and executing anyone that was "intelligent" and/or directly related to the previous government. Teacher? Executed. City official? Executed. If you wore eyeglasses? Executed. He had over 2,000,000 people killed durning those 4 years. Many were forced to work in labor camps, were then tortured, and eventually died. It was unimaginable.

Sokhom was directly involved in this genocide.

All growing up, Sokhom's father was the mayor and Justice of the Peace for their district in Cambodia. Sokhom grew up and began college. He was a student during the day and a Protector of the City (unofficial police officer) at night. When Pol Pot took over in 1975, Sokhom's father was interrogated and then executed due to his place in the previous government. Sokhom was brought in for questioning, admitted that he was a student, and was released. But a colleague turned him in for his night job and Sokhom was scheduled for execution. His life was spared due to his age and the need for his strength at the work camps. While Sokhom was in prison, he became malnourished and extremely sick from a blood infection. He endured unimaginable conditions and his life was spared many times. While he was moving to a different work camp, Sokhom escaped and went into hiding for a month while forming a sort of political resistance group. One day he went into the city of Phnom Penh and he came back to discover his apartment destroyed and his comrades killed. Sokhom was on the run again. He married Phaline in 1979 and they had their first daughter. They continued to hop from place to place until they decided to move to a refugee camp that was run by the UN. Sokhom and Phaline had to make the unimaginable decision to leave their daughter with friends due to the dangerous three week journey to the camp. They made it to the camp and stayed there for almost a year until they were moved to Dallas, Texas. Sokhom and Phaline were set up in a refugee community and began attending church at Highland Park Church of Christ through a refugee outreach program.

As they began their new life in America, Sokhom started to work on automobile upholstery and became one of the best upholsters in Dallas. He opened his own shop and was incredibly successful. By this time, Phaline had given birth to three more children and they lived a fairly comfortable life. But their memories and experiences from Cambodia stayed fresh in their minds. They began to learn more about the church's mission work and the Huns decided to take a two week mission trip back to Cambodia. They traveled back and had an incredible experience. They were reunited with their daughter and by the end of the two weeks, the Huns decided to move back and become full-time missionaries. In November 2009, they had moved back and had begun their mission work.

Since 2009, Sokhom and Phaline have started the Cambodian Bible School where they teach English and train student preachers. They also organize four mission trips a year and there is now a new medical clinic at CBS. They have had successful church plants and many baptisms. The Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dallas sponsors this family.

It's safe to say that God is using Sokhom and Phaline to do incredible things in Phnom Penh and that he is working in the lives of many through these amazing people.

Sarah and I CANNOT wait to be in Cambodia, working under this amazing couple and learning how to be God's hands and feet in a different country. We ask that you continue to pray for our journey as we prepare for this summer.

Thank you for your support. We are incredibly blessed.
Blessings,
Sarah & Cassie