Light in the Darkness of War

“The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

World Team missionaries are there for it all. They hear the bombs exploding, learn of friends who have lost loved ones, and see the devastation. Below are a few excerpts from the newsletters and postings of one of our missionaries…

December 11th, 2025

Preparations for the first province-wide Christmas program in our Cambodian village had been underway for months. Nearly 1,000 people were expected to attend, including the provincial governor and several government officials. Large tents had been raised, a stage constructed, food ordered, and invitations sent. Everything was in place for a major celebration. But two days before the anticipated celebration, a dark turn of events swept across Cambodia’s northern border. Thailand began shelling and using F-16 fighter jets to strike border towns and centuries-old temple sites. As chaos ensued and families along the border began fleeing their homes, the church leaders made a bold and difficult decision: the long-planned Christmas celebration would be cancelled. All resources, food, materials, and manpower would be redirected to refugee camps that were rapidly filling with people displaced by the fighting.

And so, instead of gathering under tents in the nearby area, we traveled about ten miles outside of town. There, the Christian community of our province, partnering with World Vision, YWAM, and other organizations, hosted a Christmas program for hundreds of families who had been displaced. What had begun as a festive provincial event transformed into an act of compassion for those seeking safety and relief in the midst of crisis. To those seeking shelter, they brought soup, bread, and gifts of love to distribute to 1000 refugees, including: 150 cases of pure water, 1000 bottles of soy milk, 2 generators, 10 tents, and much more. During Advent, I have been reading the prologue to John’s gospel. John writes in verse 9, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

Again, in John 3:19, Jesus reveals the truth about human nature: “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light…”

We see now in Cambodia a great awakening towards the light. God has turned what was meant for evil into an opportunity for good. Hundreds of people, displaced from their homes, heard the gospel message. The first Christmas was witnessed by the poor and lowly, not celebrated in a program.

Cambodia seems to be on the cusp of a spiritual ingathering. We are praying that the Lord will use this time to give us many opportunities to display the love and light of Christ by being his hands and feet. Even the authorities are supportive of the efforts of the Christian community here. Our volunteer staff, along with the Church Planting team, are going to the camps daily to minister to the children and youth. Our prayer is that as Cambodians hear the good news of salvation, they will be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

December 24, 2025

Over half a million displaced Cambodians have fled to temporary refugee camps. Conflict brings a form of darkness to one’s soul. It causes shadows of fear, anxiety, insecurity, disorientation, discouragement and loss. We have seen this at large among the Cambodians as they try to understand why a powerful neighbor would invade and indiscriminately bomb their villages, instilling fear and panic and leaving dozens of casualties.

This past week, I have felt in my soul a disturbance—a shadow of vague uneasiness and weariness resulting from the weary pilgrimage of the people of God in this dark world, pining for the dawn of hope and peace. And yet, the prophet Isaiah wrote 2,700 years ago—”The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; upon those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Indeed, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5).

How shall we respond to the ever-increasing darkness in our world? Isaiah gives us a challenge: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”

The Cambodian church and believers around the country have risen to the call, responding heroically not only to physical needs but also with compassion, comfort, and hope through the children’s programs they conduct daily and through the unexpected opportunity to share the gospel of Light and hope at every opportunity. Our church planting Team has been conducting children’s camps for as many as 700 children who have been uprooted from their homes and are unable to attend school.

January 5, 2026

54 high School students from another district are displaced to our town because their schools are unable to hold classes due to the ongoing instability caused by the border war. Thanks to Mercy Medical Center Cambodia (MMC, A ministry partner with World Team located in Phnom Penh) for a gift to prepare a healthy lunch for them each Monday to Friday for the next few weeks. We are also tentatively planning a 3–5-day medical clinic in one of the camps during February.

January 11, 2026

Thank you to Mercy Medical Center Cambodia for providing 3 days of healthy meals for 400 refugee families in our area. Thanks to the Church Planting team and our amazing dorm students for coming to serve. The local officials are seeing the heart, hands and feet of Jesus!

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Please pray for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict, and for the safety of our missionaries, Cambodian believers, and all those they serve each day during this difficult time. Above all, pray that the people of Cambodia would see the light of Jesus shining through the darkness.