I haven’t spent much time sharing what God has been doing in my life through child safety here in Cambodia, so today seemed like a good time to tell that story. Most of you know that I have worked at Hope International School in Phnom Penh for the past five years. The primary responsibility on my job description is child safety and safeguarding. This wasn’t part of my previous experience, so I leaned heavily on others as I learned best practices for child safety in an international school in Cambodia. Let’s just say it looks remarkably different from what I was accustomed to in the U.S.

As part of this role at Hope, I was introduced to the Child Safety & Protection Network (CSPN), a global Christian child safety network of mission organizations, churches, and schools that focuses on connecting, equipping, and educating international organizations to build effective child safety programs. Fast forward a few years, and I was nominated and elected to its Board of Directors for a three-year term that began in January 2026. Learning to participate on a Board of an international organization has been a humbling experience. I look forward to the next few years growing together with others on the Board.

In addition to that role, I have spent time serving with a local child safety organization in Cambodia called the Cambodia International School Safeguarding Association (CISSA). Through various relationships and opportunities, I was appointed Vice Chair of the organization, beginning in August 2026. CISSA is focused on protecting children in Cambodia and equipping schools and the broader community with best practices in safeguarding.

I also had the opportunity to speak at the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia’s Child Protection Summit in May. During the summit, educators, NGO leaders, and government partners were all in attendance. My presentation focused on starting with the “why.” For many of the people in that room, the “why” did not include Micah 6:8, Proverbs 31:8, or Matthew 18:6. But for those of us who call ourselves Christians, safeguarding and child protection are justice issues that lie at the very heart of our faith.

At another conference I attended, Justin Humphreys said:

“The Bible gives us a clear mandate, motivation and mission to ensure that those who are or may be vulnerable are heard, defended, and treated appropriately, effectively, fairly and compassionately. In our ministries, education, leadership, families and communities and in the attitudes and actions that underpin our systems and structures, we must speak up for them. Our theology must be worked out in best safeguarding practice for all.”

I don’t know the full path God has for me right now, but He continues to open doors. My responsibility is simply to keep saying yes and faithfully walk through them.

If you want to know more about CSPN, you can visit our website at cspn.org.

As this summer’s visit to the States is coming to a close, we are thankful for the love and support we have received from family, friends, and our church family. As we get ready to start a new school year, we are excited. Luke will be entering 12th grade, Ashley will start her 4th year as the Early Years and Elementary Principal, and John will continue in his role as Compliance Coordinator. We have a lot to pray about as decisions about which university to attend are made. Luke starts university next Fall 2027.

We have made new friends this summer and have a loving Care Team who will be supporting us. We are thankful for a home church with missions pastors who love and truly care about Global Workers. We are thankful for several opportunities to speak with people who are interested in missions or want to know how they can support those serving abroad.

As we get ready to head back to Cambodia, we are refreshed and ready to do what God has called us to. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Hi, it’s Ashley. How is it already April?! Hot season is here in Cambodia and it’s hot – 100+ degree weather! Luke and I have about 6 weeks left of school and then we will be flying back to the States for the summer break. John’s school gets out a couple weeks after we do and then he will join us.

Over these past several months, we have seen a lot of change. Our best friends announced they would be move to another country for the next school year, Luke played basketball this year, I started my Master’s in Educational Leadership through Cairn University, and John began serving on the board for CSPN (Child Safety Protection Network).

My parents were able to come visit us this past Christmas, which was a huge blessing, and dad took new family photos. We didn’t plan much while they were here, so it was nice building Legos, working puzzles, going to the water park, playing games and watching movies.

As many of you know, Luke lives and breathes volleyball. He was able to travel with his team for the ASAC volleyball tournament in Indonesia this past fall. Even though it’s currently not HS volleyball season, Luke enjoys playing in pick-up games around town with other kids from the other schools and young adults. John is staying busy preparing for the upcoming testing season and serving on the CSPN board. I am in my third year as principal of the Early Years and Elementary. For me, it has been a challenging yet uplifting season. We are thankful for people like you who pray for us and check-in on us. We are ready for the upcoming summer break in the States – to rest and get ready for another school year.

Since we came back to Cambodia, life has been busy but we have settled back into a normal rhythm.

Here are a few things that have happened (and a few pictures):

• The 2024-2025 school year started – Luke is in 10th grade, Ashley in her 2nd year as the Early Years and Elementary Principal/11th year at Logos and John in his 4th year as the Compliance Coordinator at Hope
• Our house flooded due to a large amount of rain from a typhoon in a short amount of time
• High School Volleyball and Swim season has started for Luke
• Serving in our local church – John serves as an elder in the church and in the sound and technology booth, Luke sets up the supplies for the Kids’ classes and serves in the 8-11 year old class, Ashley coordinates the volunteers for the three Kids’ classes
• Gumball 3000 visited Cambodia as they made their way from Vietnam to Singapore – Luke and John went to the event downtown. Gumball is a hypercar rally with checkpoints in major cities throughout the route.

Even though life has been busy these last 2 months, the Lord is faithful. When the bottom floor of our house flooded due to the heavy rains, none of our furniture was damaged/ruined and the clean up was fairly easy. Our amazing house helper, Thida, was able to give the tile an extra scrub so everything is back to normal. John was out at the movies with a friend that night and was able to safely drive home. Our 27 year old Toyota 4 Runner didn’t flood because of the height of the vehicle and had no damage. Praise the Lord! We are thankful to be back and even though life is busy, this is what we have been called to do.

Eleven years ago…

…if someone told us we would have a mango tree outside our house window and palm trees in the neighborhood park, we thought they would have been crazy.

…if someone told us our neighborhood streets would flood multiple times a year, we thought they would have been crazy.

…if someone told Ashley that John and Luke would be driving a motorcycle everyday to work and school, I thought they would have been crazy.

…if someone told John his office would transfer from a 1,000 person call center to a hammock between two palm trees, he would have thought you were crazy.

…if someone told Ashley she would be serving as the principal of an international school in Cambodia, she would have thought you were crazy.

…if someone would have told us we would have visited 6 different Asian countries, we thought you would have been crazy.

When the Lord opened doors for us to come serve in Cambodia, we never could have imagined we would still be here in 2024. The Lord has been gracious and surrounded us with people who have walked alongside us on this journey. Luke is now in 9th grade is 6’1″ tall. This year, he has participated on the volleyball, basketball and swim team and is currently the assistant coach for the middle school volleyball team. John is serving at Hope International School as the Compliance Coordinator leading the Child Safety Team and Cambridge/IB exam process. Ashley is serving as the Early Years and Elementary Principal at Logos International School.

During these last 10 years, we have had several sad/frustrating/unexpected moments as well… saying “goodbye” to other global workers in Cambodia, countless stomach viruses, John’s minor moto accidents, minor surgeries at the hospital in Thailand, Luke being diagnosed with Osgood Schlatter syndrome, extreme covid quarantines and lockdowns… just to name a few.

The Lord has been with us every step of the way. As we prepare to come to the States for the summer months, we know He has us in His hands and will continue to be with us, comforting us, guiding us, providing for us and always loving us. See you soon Texas!

The countdown clock says, “13 more days until departure”. We are heading back to the States this summer for some rest, relaxation and a time to reconnect with friends and family. Two years ago, when we went back for a visit, COVID was swinging into full force and things were starting to shut down. During that time in Texas, we didn’t get a chance to do our “normal” activities so this summer is filled with even more anticipation. Some things we aren’t looking forward to are higher gas and food prices, but everything will be wonderful! See you soon Texas!

As we usher in 2022, our family is ready to get back to a more normal “routine”. Starting in January 2022, Luke will be allowed to attend school in-person full time. John will be going to his office at Hope full time after staying home with Luke in the mornings to help him stay focused for at-home, online learning. Ashley will be going back to classroom full of students after having half the class in-person every other week and then switching for the other half the next week. Things will start to feel more “normal”.

As our family ushers in a new year, we are thankful. Thankful for good health, especially after all three of us had COVID in November. We are thankful for family and friends in the US who are faithful to love, pray and support us financially. We are thankful for our Cambodia community of friends who have grown to feel more like family than just friends. We are also thankful for the Lord, El Roy, the God who sees me. The three of us constantly feel the presence of the Lord in our lives as we go throughout our day. He provision, His peace and His guidance have been steadfast this year.

We are looking forward to what 2022 brings! Happy New Year!

~The Phifers

In a world that is constantly changing, sometimes you just have to “go with the flow”. COVID has definitely changed our little world and the country we live in. Luke and I haven’t been in school full-time since March 2020 and have been learning/teaching online since the beginning of this 2021-2022 school year. John started a new position at an international Christian school near our house.

What we have been reminded of through this time…

John and I were able to get vaccinated with a vaccine from the US a couple of weeks ago, which was a huge praise and took a lot of patience. The Lord gives peace.

The government was requiring a two week mandatory hotel quarantine and $2,000 deposit when coming into the country. This past week, the government lifted the two week quarantine to just a one week hotel quarantine. The Lord is just.

Luke is learning online from teachers in Cambodia, one who was in Scotland and one who is still in Canada and Luke is thriving! The Lord gives endurance and perseverance.

Last week, the government started requiring people to show their vaccination cards when entering businesses (this includes grocery stores) and has encouraged unvaccinated and sick people to stay home. The Lord knows the future.

Through this ever-changing season, the Lord has given us peace, has been just, has given endurance and perseverance and He knows the future. This is an ever-changing journey we are on and we know who is along side of us!

~Ashley