Miles of Mercy: Serving with Love in Cambodia

It was a typical Friday afternoon after I had finished teaching my journalism class at Solid Rock Homeschool Group. I was visiting with my good friend, Jennifer Him, and her beautiful children when she suddenly paused mid-sentence and said, "Veronica, Jesus has just laid it on my heart that I need to ask you to come with our family when we return to Lina's Hope in April."

What began as a simple invitation has become a journey rooted in the mission of Lina’s Hope, which began 15 years ago by Jennifer and her husband, Heap. Lina’s Hope (www.linashope.wordpress.com) is a school and therapy center in Kampot, Cambodia, serving children with disabilities, particularly brain injuries and severe developmental challenges. Many of the children who have come through Lina’s Hope have faced unimaginable hardship, neglect, and cultural stigma.

Over the years, Lina’s Hope has cared for children like Cao, who lives with severe autism. Before calling Lina's Hope home, he spent 13 years chained to a door, naked, with no personal possessions or basic provisions, eating from the floor simply to survive. There’s also Sophanna, who was surrendered to Lina’s Hope at age 4, weighing just 9 pounds after being placed on an intentional starvation diet of rice water. Her bio mom wanting nothing to do with a child that she believed was born with a disability as a punishment for a bad past life. She was adopted by the Him family and is now a vibrant young lady whose smile and laughter light up every room.

Lina’s Hope provides a safe, nurturing environment where children receive therapy, learn life skills, and experience love and dignity that many have never known. Lina's Hope has helped to transform the culture where parents once hid their children to now learning to care and love their child. Many have come to love Jesus. 

During our mission trip, our work will focus on surprising these incredible kids — who call Lina’s Hope their permanent home — painting and decorating their bedrooms. We will also chaperone and celebrate the Cambodian New Year holiday, offering them moments of freedom, fun, and joy that every child truly deserves.

The work at Lina’s Hope continues every day, giving children the chance to learn, play, and grow in ways that were once unimaginable. While Cao, Sophanna, and others have already begun their journey of healing, many more children still need care, support, and opportunity.

This trip is more than a journey across miles — it is a journey of faith, courage, and hope. As we step into the lives of these children, we grow alongside them — learning, being stretched, and experiencing the joy of God’s work in real time. We are humbled to witness the hope, healing, and transformation unfolding at Lina’s Hope, and grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside these incredible children as they thrive.

You can partner with us in two powerful ways:

1. Give — every dollar helps provide therapy, education, bedroom makeovers, art supplies, and meaningful experiences for the children.

2. Pray — pray for safe travel, open hearts, and continued opportunities for these children to thrive.

Together, we can bring light, hope, and love to the children of Lina’s Hope. Will you join us?