My name is Sophoum Vann. I am 34 years old and married to my wife, Rachana Him. Together, we have two daughters, Solideth and Pagnarath. We currently live and minister in Chhouk, Kampot.
In 1990, I became fatherless. I was living with my mother and four younger siblings. I am the oldest of the five children. My mother was working tirelessly to support our family. We were the poorest family within our community. Quite frequently, we only had one meal a day.
In 1992, my mother heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and received Him as her personal Lord and Savior. As for me, I rejected the Gospel and was very angry of my mother's new faith in Christ. I brought an accusation against my mother’s faith by yelling at her; afraid that she would quit working to feed my siblings and I. My mother gently told me that Jesus is a husband to all of the widows and father to the fatherless. This word from my mother’s mouth, caused me to get even more angry towards her. With my constant rejection of Jesus, and my foulest acts against my mother, I paid the price by the discipline from my mother with stick and so on. I was only twelve years old at the time.
In 1990, I became fatherless. I was living with my mother and four younger siblings. I am the oldest of the five children. My mother was working tirelessly to support our family. We were the poorest family within our community. Quite frequently, we only had one meal a day.
In 1992, my mother heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and received Him as her personal Lord and Savior. As for me, I rejected the Gospel and was very angry of my mother's new faith in Christ. I brought an accusation against my mother’s faith by yelling at her; afraid that she would quit working to feed my siblings and I. My mother gently told me that Jesus is a husband to all of the widows and father to the fatherless. This word from my mother’s mouth, caused me to get even more angry towards her. With my constant rejection of Jesus, and my foulest acts against my mother, I paid the price by the discipline from my mother with stick and so on. I was only twelve years old at the time.
After being forced by my mother to read scriptures for two years, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit while reading Palms 146:5-9 “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” I then surrendered my life to Jesus.
Truly, being a fatherless child was not easy, especially since our family was poor. We were encountered so much problems and considered an outcast by others, especially those in my peers. I have been beaten by others children often. They ripped my cloth off and make fun of me. Truly, I need someone else there to stand for me and to support me. With all these dramas, Palms 146 came alive and well for me. I began to go to Church and attend the Sunday School Classes. My Sunday school teacher taught me God’s word and Hymn. I love Jesus so much.
In 1999, the Pastor of my Church promoted me to be a Youth leader. During this time, I know for certain that God loves me. He is my good and faithful father. He found me and lifted me up from the bottom of the dirty mud; and washed me and molds me to be a precious stone in His eyes. Thank God for my pastor who was willing to allow me to go with him to various small groups and villages to share Christ and teach His words. This is a learning experience I received from God. At that time, I decided to serve the Lord for the rest of my life.
In 2001, my pastor sent me to attend the Ministry Training Center of TransformAsia. After two years of training, TA had chosen me to serve as a Pastor in my community until this day. This is the first time that I serve the Lord with small salary. Prior to 2002, I served the Lord voluntarily without any wage. With or without the wage, I am gladly serving the Lord without any reservation. I know all things come from the Lord. I should not worry about money or serve Him because of the money. I truly believed that our God would not allow any of His faithful servants to become a beggar. Thank you Lord for chosen me to be your servant. I also thank God for blessing me to be part of TransformAsia’s ministry from 2002 until present.
Truly, being a fatherless child was not easy, especially since our family was poor. We were encountered so much problems and considered an outcast by others, especially those in my peers. I have been beaten by others children often. They ripped my cloth off and make fun of me. Truly, I need someone else there to stand for me and to support me. With all these dramas, Palms 146 came alive and well for me. I began to go to Church and attend the Sunday School Classes. My Sunday school teacher taught me God’s word and Hymn. I love Jesus so much.
In 1999, the Pastor of my Church promoted me to be a Youth leader. During this time, I know for certain that God loves me. He is my good and faithful father. He found me and lifted me up from the bottom of the dirty mud; and washed me and molds me to be a precious stone in His eyes. Thank God for my pastor who was willing to allow me to go with him to various small groups and villages to share Christ and teach His words. This is a learning experience I received from God. At that time, I decided to serve the Lord for the rest of my life.
In 2001, my pastor sent me to attend the Ministry Training Center of TransformAsia. After two years of training, TA had chosen me to serve as a Pastor in my community until this day. This is the first time that I serve the Lord with small salary. Prior to 2002, I served the Lord voluntarily without any wage. With or without the wage, I am gladly serving the Lord without any reservation. I know all things come from the Lord. I should not worry about money or serve Him because of the money. I truly believed that our God would not allow any of His faithful servants to become a beggar. Thank you Lord for chosen me to be your servant. I also thank God for blessing me to be part of TransformAsia’s ministry from 2002 until present.