I briefly met Phoeun and her two children last year when they arrived in a truck of deportees from Thailand at the Samaritan’s Purse migrant access center in Cambodia. Phoeun is a widow who desperately needed work, so she went to work in Thailand without legal documents. The Thai police arrested Phoeun and her children and sent them to jail.
When they arrived at the migrant center, our staff provided water, snacks, and informational booklets. They watched a presentation about safe migration and then our team talked with Phoeun and discovered that she needed help. She indicated that she had suffered from human trafficking, had no money, and no family to return to.
After providing the family with lunch, clothes, and shoes, the migrant center team shared the Gospel and prayed with Phoeun. The team referred her to a local partner who could offer short-term shelter support. After coordinating the referral, our team continued to keep in touch with Phoeun to make sure that her family received support.
Phoeun and her children lived in a center provided by the partner for eight months. During that time, they received meals and snacks. Phoeun helped cook two days a week and regularly helped clean. She and the children were referred to medical services when they were sick and Phoeun received training as a tailor. During this time, Phoeun kept in touch with the Samaritan’s Purse staff.
Now, one year later, Phoeun is doing well. She has steady work in Cambodia and is able to provide for her children. She continues to keep in touch with Samaritan’s Purse staff because they gave her hope and told her about God’s love.
