The following profile and prayer were graciously provided by Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan.
Cambodian Deaconess Student – Miss Davy Soda
Cambodia is a country with a disastrous history. Under the rule of Pol Pot, the country was decimated by a systematic program of murder and civil dislocation. One third of the population was killed. Since that time, the country has been making a slow return to normalcy. Because of the need to relate to western countries, the government relaxed its restrictions on civil freedoms and foreigners were allowed to bring in the gospel. As a result, a new generation of believers has emerged.
Many of these Christians came to hear about Lutheran teaching through the translation of the Small Catechism into Khamir. Interested in learning more, a program of theological education was introduced with the support of Lutheran Church-Canada. God has blessed this work. In May, 2010, after 2 1/2 years of study, 16 Lutheran Pastors and 8 deaconesses graduated and began serving their new church, “The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia.”
The training continues. A new class of pastoral and deaconal students has begun training. While you might wish to pray for this new Lutheran Church and their theological education program, I would encourage you to think of one student — Davy Soda.
Miss Davy Soda is a student from Kampot, Cambodia who has taken on a heavy challenge. She is studying to be a doctor, a midwife and a deaconess to serve in her congregation of Kampot Lutheran Church, Kampot, Cambodia.
Gracious Father in heaven, you continue to build your church around the world through the proclamation of the Gospel. We see that today in Cambodia where Your Word is now being heard and received with faith. We ask your blessing upon the Lutheran Church in Cambodia and all those involved in the proclamation of the Gospel. We pray especially for those students preparing to be pastors and deaconesses in this church and in particular for Davy Soda. Bless her with a keen mind and a loving spirit and make her bold in sharing the love of Christ in her various vocations. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.