Good stories and goodbyes.

This weekend in Guatemala our Saving Susan Ministry team was able to reconnect with some children from different areas of the country that have been reunified with their families. At Saving Susan Ministry, we believe in following the child no matter the circumstances, as the Lord allows. We refer to these kids as our advocate kids.

This was quite a special reunion. Most of our Next Steps kids were in the same children’s home as these children, and they cared for them as they grew up. We have followed the advocate kids for some time now and seeing them was a special moment for us as well. Their moms accompanied them into the city, and it was a great celebration of all God has done in these situations.

We were able to visit the Guatemala Zoo, eat lunch together, and pray & fellowship at the hotel too. These outings are a great way to connect and make memories together.

Saying goodbye was not easy. There were many tears. Tears of joy and sorrow. Tears that say, “We will see you again.”

The words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 remind us that we can comfort others because we have been comforted by Christ. The comfort we have received is passed on in the comfort we give. It was a blessing to comfort and encourage the Next Steps students (they are doing amazing things!) and to see them comfort younger children with the comfort of Christ. They are role models to the advocate kids and their parents and the love we all share in Christ resounds throughout this entire story. He is the author and all the success seen in battles or difficult situations belongs to him.

We are excited to come back and share with you all the Lord is doing in Guatemala and in the lives of these families. But, for now, we say, “Goodbye, Guatemala,” and leave a little piece of our hearts there… until next time.

¡Hola! from Casa Bernabé!

My husband and I recently had an incredible opportunity to travel to Casa Bernabé with two of our granddaughters and a wonderful team. What struck me most was gathering around the table with the house parents—these amazing couples who have devoted their lives to caring for children here, with some homes housing up to 14 kids together.

When we asked them to share joyful memories from their own childhoods, something wonderful happened. We saw that God has chosen these adults to become part of the childhood stories the children in their care will someday tell. These couples spoke about feeling truly called by the Lord to serve by loving and living alongside both the children in their homes and their own biological kids.

Yes, many of these children's stories began with abandonment and heartbreak, but that's not where their stories end. Saving Susan's ministry has become a new chapter in each of their lives. Being able to pray over these humble servants was an incredible privilege, as we felt God's presence so powerfully in that place - it was truly an honor.

Written by Rita Bailey, Board Member for Saving Susan Ministry

Q2 Ministry Update

God has blessed Saving Susan Ministry in so many ways. Read on to see all his beautiful work during the second quarter of 2025.

Cambodia Team Trip 2025

Our team has returned from Cambodia and what a wonderful trip it was! Complete with a music concert, art therapy, and a lot of time together, the trip was jam packed with fun. Now that the team has returned, hear more about the special moments throughout their time in-country.

Read more about the time spent at Bileg, Imparting Smiles, and with the Next Steps students in Nancy's recap Footprint report here.

Adam recaps the feeling of family experienced while spending time with these kids we've come to love so dearly. Read his thoughts in this Footprint post.

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Garden Party

July brought warm weather and celebrations as we joined together to honor our discipleship pastor, Sokion Ki and his wife, Katie at a Garden Party. This festive occasion allowed us to focus on our Next Steps program, its successes and challenges, and the stories God has written in the lives of each of the students we serve.

The Kis are such an integral part of what Saving Susan Ministry is able to do in Cambodia, and we are truly touched by their involvement in this program. Sokion and Katie have been visiting family in the USA for about six weeks and return home soon. While here, the students in Cambodia sent a video of thanks to the Kis and we played it for them at the party. Clearly, God has worked in their lives and allowed Sokion, Katie, and the Champions of Saving Susan Ministry to play a part in their transformation. What a blessing to see!

Music Academy!

The music education program at Saving Susan Ministry is a critical part of the holistic care we desire to provide for all the children we serve. Beyond teaching kids a skill, music allows for healing and emotional expression like no other outlet, and the discipleship provided by their teachers is also a critical piece to the puzzle for restoration.

In Cambodia, the students completed their learning this semester and performed a concert for the team in June. It is always such a blessing to see their skill and encourage their confidence as they take on the challenge of performing for visitors. Oliver prepares them well and not only teaches them theory and rhythm, but also what it means to follow Jesus.

It is also a joy to see Next Steps students continue in their love for music as they lead visitors in worship together.

We are also thrilled to bring music back to Guatemala at Manos de Compasion! It can be difficult to find qualified music teachers that also care about the spiritual lives of the kids we serve. That's why we're so thankful to say your prayers brought us TWO music teachers for our kids in Guatemala! I think the smiles are evidence of their appreciation too. What a mighty God we serve!

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Parent Partner Community Call

In June, we gathered for an inspiring time with Dr. Mandy Howard and our community of Parent Partners and other champions for a time of interactive learning and sharing. Mandy is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and also a senior scholar for CAFO (Christian Alliance for Orphans). She has been a friend of Saving Susan Ministry for several years. We work closely with her to develop the art therapy projects we utilize on our team trips. 

We had an incredible time learning from her as she unpacked the Yerkes-Dodson Law and offered practical insight into how adversity and challenges—when balanced well—can be used as tools to help us and the children we serve gain resilience and grow toward greater things. 

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Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 14, 2025 for our Tennis and Pickleball ladies-only event at Marietta Country Club. 

At this time, we are only selling Fan Pass tickets. Get yours today before they're gone!

We are Family

Written by Adam Reiley, Team Member and Saving Susan Ministry staff

The title of this post, “We Are Family,” has a fun backstory. During our visit to the Imparting Smiles children’s home, we sang a Khmer worship song titled “In Jesus Christ We Are One Family.” Its heartfelt message touched us all — but at first, I mistakenly thought they were singing the classic Sister Sledge song, “We Are Family.” That mix-up quickly became an inside joke among our team, but it also reflected a deeper truth: no matter the language or melody, the heart of the message was the same. In Christ, we truly are one family.

When God’s diverse family comes together in love and service, something beautiful happens. Our Savings Susan Ministry mission team just finished serving in Cambodia, representing five countries and three U.S. states — each of us bringing different stories, cultures, and gifts, yet united by one purpose: to serve as one. This trip wasn’t just about completing tasks; it was about continuing the deep, family-like relationships we’ve built with the children and mission partners we’re privileged to walk alongside. Just like any family, we laughed, worked, worshipped, and grew together — because that’s what families do.

Families support and encourage one another. During our trip, several children were feeling unwell. We had the privilege of sitting with them, praying over them, and speaking words of hope and healing. Another opportunity for encouragement came through an art project we shared at each home, where we explored the theme of transformation — how God molds us through different stages of life, from an egg to a caterpillar, then a cocoon, and finally, a butterfly. Each child or student sculpted and painted their own creation as we reflected on how growth often takes time, and how patience is a part of God’s beautiful process. I saw children in every stage of that journey — some just beginning, others still waiting, and a few already blooming with joy and strength. It was a powerful reminder that God is still shaping each of us with care and purpose.

Families also play together — and some of our most joyful moments in Cambodia came through shared fun and laughter. With the children from Imparting Smiles, we spent a day at “Good Luck” Resort, zipping around the go-kart track and cheering each other on. With our Next Steps students, we splashed and slid our way through an unforgettable day at Garden City Water Park. And in between those outings, we played hours of volleyball together, rallying and laughing until the sun dipped below the horizon. These lighthearted times weren’t just about recreation — they were about building trust, creating memories and strengthening the bonds that make us feel like true family.

Families worship together, and throughout our trip, we were reminded just how powerful that can be. At Bileg Solid Rock, we were blessed to witness a heartfelt recital led by our Music Director, Oliver Rafael. The children had worked hard to prepare, and their joy and dedication shone through. At Imparting Smiles, we joined their Sunday service where the children led worship band — singing and playing with passion and purpose. Pastor Wesslye from our team shared a message reminding us that the Lord desires to dwell in the temple of our hearts. Later, in the home of our Next Steps students, we gathered in a circle, blending voices and instruments from our team with theirs. As we lifted our voices in song, I was struck by how worship becomes even more beautiful when cultures come together in unity and praise. In those moments, heaven felt especially close.

Families celebrate together, and this trip gave us some truly special moments of joy and recognition. While being away on Father’s Day was bittersweet — I missed my own kids back home — I had the chance to reflect on the privilege of showing a glimpse of a father’s love to the children we serve. At Imparting Smiles, the kids surprised the Director Steve Hyde with a heartfelt “Happy Father’s Day” song and cake, honoring the incredible role he plays as a father figure to so many. In jest, I call him “the Godfather” because of his spiritual influence on countless live across generations. We also celebrated the achievements of our Next Steps students with a joyful dinner party, highlighting their progress — including several college graduates! The night ended with laughter and karaoke, a fitting celebration of growth, perseverance, and family.

As I reflect on all the moments we shared — serving, playing, worshipping, and celebrating — it’s clear that this team was more than just a group of volunteers. We were an extension of the Saving Susan family, and even more, a living extension of God’s family. Like the Sister Sledge song that inspired our title says: “We’re giving love in a family dose. Here’s what we call our golden rule: have faith in you and the things you do. We are family — get up, everybody, and sing.” This trip was a beautiful reminder that when we come together across cultures and backgrounds, united in Christ, we become something stronger than the sum of our parts. We are one family — and it’s a joy to keep singing that truth with every step we take.

Greetings from Cambodia!

Thank you all for your prayers as we have traveled to visit these precious children and those who love and care for them daily. 

We were greeted lovingly at the airport by Pastor Sihok and several of the college students late on Tuesday night. What a blessing to the team to have such a warm welcome with smiles and hugs and they were truly happy to see us. The feeling was mutual!

The next day we went to Bileg Solid Rock where the children are well loved and cared for.

The children and the missions team worked on individual art projects creating either a butterfly, a frog or a tree out of clay. AGB led the project and explained how God molds us and grows us. We are always changing. During our time with them, we fellowshipped with food, games, and swimming. The children appreciated the gifts their parent partners sent. We also took a tour of the Bileg Solid Rock Hospital and visited the Learning Center. There we were able to visit teachers Sopheak and Sreyleak who grew up at Bileg and returned there after college to teach and share God’s love with the children.

The love of Jesus is evident in the faces of the teachers, staff, Pastor Rith, and Dr. Castro. We were blessed to be able to spend time in this special place. 

Written by Nancy Dow, Trip Member & Staff Member at Saving Susan Ministry