House #314, Group #24 Damspey Village, Mitapeap Commune Battambang Province, Cambodia
Saran was born in a Muslim and Buddhist family in Cambodia. His father, who was a Muslim doctor, was killed in 1975 during the Pol Pot regime. At the same time, Saran was separated from his mother and siblings and had to live in an orphanage. The living conditions were extremely difficult. In 1979, Saran fled to the Thailand border in hopes of finding his family. He spent the next 8 years in Khoa I Dang Camp, living in a Catholic orphanage. He learned about God, but to him it was only a religion and not a personal relationship.
After he graduated from high school in 1987, Saran learned that his mother had returned to their home in Battambang. He also returned to be reunited with her. The Vietnamese communists, then in control of the country, sent him and his mother to prison for three months so they could get oriented to the policies of the new government. Saran then studied at a medical school and became a nurse. He began working in the provincial hospital in Battambang. It was during this time that he met his wife-to-be, Sophanet, who was a school teacher.
In 1993, Saran’s friend, Nhay Chamroeun, shared the Good News with him and invited him to go to church. One day the Word of God (John 3:16) convicted him, and he gave his life to Christ. Four years later, God led him into full-time service as a National Church Planter with GBIM.
Saran regularly travels via motorbike to various ‘Points of Light’ that have been established near Battambang. He teaches and preaches the gospel with his assistant, Pov. Points of Lights are home Bible studies that have not yet matured into established churches. Saran and Pov work with men within each Point of Light to become godly leaders who can teach the Word of God. They pray that each Point of Light will grow into a strong church.
The Rys have three children: two daughters (Rechney and Sarah) and one son (Rathara). Saran is currently a Charis Associate under GBIM.
River City Grace has financially supported the Ry family through GBIM since 1998. Gary Francisco is their missionary partner.
2F, 3-2-17 Iso, Urasoe Shi, Okinawa, Japan 901-2132
Yukimasa (Yuki) and Fujiyo (Fuji) Kinjo are our missionaries in Japan. They are Charis Associate missionaries under GBIM, sent out by the Japanese church. They have two daughters, Hatsuho and Kanan, and one son, Kohei.
Yuki was first introduced to Christianity through Ted and Kristen Kirnbauer (GBIM missionaries to Japan at the time) in September 1986. It was the Kirnbauers’ lifestyle that initially sparked Yuki’s interest in Christianity. After two years, Yuki asked Ted if they could study the Bible together so he could better learn English. Little did he know the Kirnbauers had been praying for just such an opportunity. However, it wasn’t until 1988, when Yuki was hospitalized for the first time in his life, that he began thinking seriously about death. While hospitalized, he received a visit from Pastor Kimura, who had the privilege of leading him to Christ.
Yuki came to the United States in 1994 where he spent one year receiving evangelism training and studying English. Yuki returned home to be a church planter in Tokyo, where he was instrumental in the growth of the Kiyose Grace Brethren Church. In April, 2006, he moved his family to Okinawa to begin a new church planting ministry in his hometown of Urasoe.
River City Grace began financially supporting the Kinjos through GBIM in 1998. Their missionary partner is Tim Ingrum.