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Anna
I first Googled “engineering and missions” while studying mechanical engineering from my dorm room at LeTourneau in 2005. It was then that I first felt called to overseas missions. The road from there has been long and winding, but it is clear to me today that God has been with me on each step of this path. The first step I took was with YWAM, where God taught me His love for the nations by living cross-culturally and in developing countries. In 2010 and again in 2011, I traveled to Cambodia as part of our outreach training. Unknown to me at the time, God was sowing seeds that would come to life further down the road.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
It was here also, that I grew deeper in my faith and matured in my discipleship as both a student and then as staff on different YWAM schools. From here, I felt called to pursue a vocation more inline with the more artistic side of my brain; I went back to school for a graphic design degree. But God doesn’t let any part of our story go to waste; next He led me back to a engineering-related environment serving as an intern in communication and graphic design for EMI in Colorado Springs. As always, God’s timing is perfect. As my time as an intern was finishing up, EMI invited me to continue my work in graphic design as full-time staff while also opening up the opportunity to be a part of their Southeast Asia office launch team. During my season living in Colorado Springs, I also began attending a CMA church and got connected to the Global Professionals (Marketplace Ministries) sending arm of the CMA. I am honored to also be sent as part of this wider missionary network.
In January of 2017, I, along with 5 other staff families moved to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to officially launch EMI Cambodia. We spent our first year in country attending language school, building connections, and learning the culture. In early 2018 we officially opened the office. As one of our core values, our office is devoted to the discipleship of all of our staff who now count over 30 more than half of which are local Khmer professionals. Currently, my title is Business Development Lead. In addition to staff discipleship, I primarily spend my time promoting EMI Cambodia to our local clients, working on organizational strategy, and supporting both the Cambodia office and EMI Global with graphic design, photography, and media.
Sdam
I grew up in a small village in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. In 2007, I moved to Phnom Penh to attend University. At one point, when I was getting low on funds and I thought I would be kicked out of my apartment, a friend of mine invited me to come live above the church he attended. One of the requirements for staying at the church was to attend services every week. At first, I did it out of duty, but slowly Jesus’ words became more real to me. One night, I was very stressed and I couldn’t sleep worrying about how I was going to pay for school and food, when I read Matthew 16:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33 & 34
It was in that moment that I felt freedom and peace from all the worries I had. I knew and believed that my Heavenly Father would take care of me. I also continued to attend church and be discipled by our pastor at that time, and was given more and more leadership opportunities within the church.
After I graduated, I had a few different jobs, but I hadn’t found anything that really fit to what I wanted to be doing. When another connection at church told me about a Christian NGO that was just starting and looking for Khmer staff to come work with them, I quickly jumped at the chance to work for a Christian organization. I have been with Iris Cambodia for over 10 years now. We work with at risk individuals in Phnom Penh’s poorest communities to prevent them from exploitation and abuse. I am currently an assistant director and also work to oversee our social work team who work more closely with certain families and, when needed, facilitates the rescue and restoration of young children who are being abused, exploited and/or trafficked. This is a role that is challenging at times, but rewarding when we can speak out for those who can’t speak for themselves.
Girl Meets Boy
And Beyond
Sdam and I met at the church where he was serving shortly after my arrival in Cambodia. We got married on November 14, 2020 and are currently pursuing American citizenship for Sdam while we continue in our ministry roles. We hope to spend a bit of time in America starting in 2023 before returning to the field in 2024.
Missionaries with EMI and Iris work on a support basis, raising their living expenses from donations so that our services can be provided to ministries and groups that would otherwise not be able to afford them. You can give through either EMI or the C&MA. Both are tax deductible in the US. EMI has separate tax-deductible options for giving in Canada and the UK. Would you partner with us and join our support team?
