Founders' Trip to Cambodia: UNEXPECTED

Written by Tracy Arntzen

There is one word that describes our Christmas trip to Cambodia - UNEXPECTED. I’m convinced God placed the desire in my heart years ago to celebrate the birth of Christ with our friends and students in Cambodia. And wow, God met us there through unplanned circumstances.  As I looked forward to this trip, there were also people, traditions, and comforts I chose to lay aside for Christmas 2025. And, if I’m being honest, just prior to our departure I was longing for all of what we were leaving behind. 

Unfortunately, a few days into our extended stay, a war broke out. Through the harsh attacks of F-16 bombings and a heavy military power, Thailand began invading a helpless Cambodia. The country, 95% Buddhist and with a limited military, felt frightened, oppressed and even hopeless. I have never been in a war-torn country during escalation, and to say it was frightening was an understatement. Imparting Smiles Children’s Home was forced to evacuate and relocate twice because of heavy bombing.  As someone who values security, calm surroundings, and peace, I’ll confess on more than one occasion I was checking in with the US Embassy, State Department, and airlines, considering an early departure. Sleep eluded me for several consecutive days as I tossed and turned in the decision to stay or return home early. I am embarrassed to even speak that now. 

Like a gentle spring breeze, I sensed God’s leading us to stay.  It was like an invitation to live out what we believe about the Lord. Did I truly trust Him with our circumstances and the timing of us being in Cambodia?  I could not shake the feeling of staying, despite what may happen. I could not imagine telling our loved ones we were leaving them early. So, we stayed and asked friends and family back home to pray with us. Staying was not about us being brave or courageous. Instead it was about working through the tension of fear and obedience. It was about standing firm with God by our side when our security felt threatened.  God had placed us there and entrusted us for such a time. 

Despite the unrest we enjoyed incredible fellowship and precious times of service. We also sensed the deep realization of the impact Saving Susan Ministry and all our champions are making. I often recall a friend sharing that John 15:16 reminds him of the Saving Susan Ministry mission. 

So without further ado, here are some of our trip highlights: 

Day 1 - We rose early, after our 1am bedtime, and joined Pastor Sihok at his dumpsite church. Jay shared a message of love. Gifts and treats were sponsored for the church members, as this was their Christmas celebration.  It was a time filled with beautiful music and lots of children's smiles.  What a beautiful welcome to Cambodia.

Days 2-4   We were blessed to share our days with the children we partner and of course, the Next Steps Students would jump in when their schedules allowed. We hung out, shared meals, went swimming, and we even took a private exercise class that included a boxing lesson. Maybe a boxing bag is needed in the future at the boys’ dorm! So many laughs and also times of important life conversations.  

Days 5-9 Bunny transported us to Bileg and it was wonderful to visit the place where Saving Susan Ministry was born. We treated the Solid Rock Academy teachers to a Christmas luncheon and sweet time of fellowship, there were 60+ present. We took the kids to visit the 2nd oldest temple in Cambodia, even older than Angkor Wat! Prasat Sambor Prei Kuk was a wonder, and we loved sharing this with the students. Sunday worship was in the beautiful church that Dr. Jack Baskin helped plant with Dr. Felipe and Joy Castro so many years ago. 

Days 10-12 We began preparing for Christmas - shopping, decorating, cooking, and attended a sweet Christmas Eve church service in English with many of the Next Steps students. Christmas day was so much fun. Jay even drove a moto and took some of the students for coffee and talk, while I was in the kitchen with some helpers. We ended the day with Christmas carols and hot chocolate, which was a novelty for the students.

Days 13-17 As our trip began to wind down, a cease fire was agreed upon. Although nearly 600k Cambodians were displaced from their homes and villages living in refugee camps, the country saw some relief from the attacks. We were introduced to a Cambodian Pastor and his wife who run a children's home and were invited to visit.  Please pray with us as we explore conversations about working together in the future.

This trip will forever be special in so many ways. I'm certain there are still parts of it to process and discern where God is leading. 

I ask, if you are a Parent Partner reading this, would you please consider joining one of our trips in 2026? The children continue to grow and build resilience, as we have learned…

“Although the world is full of suffering it is also full of overcoming it.”

— Helen Keller

Q3 Ministry Update

Join us for an extraordinary evening of celebration and purpose at the historic Primrose Cottage in downtown Roswell. Our theme, “Forged Together: United in Spirit, Unbreakable in Love,” honors the transformative power of faith in the lives of orphaned children and those who champion them.

Our Team Trips to Guatemala were a huge blessing! Time spent with the children and their care givers is always a central focus of our trip. These moments are worth sharing again and again. Be on the lookout for our 2026 Team Trip dates and mark your calendar to join us!

If you missed the recap of these visits, click below to read all about it from those who participated firsthand:

Tennis and Pickle for Susan 2025 was a huge hit, thanks to so many who champion our children so well. Click here to read the blog post about this fun event!

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Congratulations Mesa!

Mesa graduated last fall, completed his year of giving back and has now joined the Next Steps students in Phnom Phen. He is studying to be a teacher but also loves photography and visual arts. Mesa, we are so proud of you!

Casa Bernabe Update!

Recently we announced that we were ready to add 14 new kids to our Parent Partner Program from Casa Bernabe. We are thrilled to report that we are currently processing 2 applications and have a third in the pipeline. What about you? Is God calling you to partner with one of these adorable children to provide hope and consistency in their life? Find out more here or email us today!

Life and Love Lessons from Guatemala

Post written by Helena Gatti, Esme Gatti, and John Chambley

This past week on our mission trip was life-changing. I realized God’s love isn’t limited to America or our small corner of life—it spreads across the world, moving through people who worship Him in their own unique languages and ways. From connecting with kids to seeing those differences in worship, I was reminded that impact doesn’t always come through big gestures, but through simple acts of kindness. I came home with a full heart, grateful for the chance to be used in ways bigger than myself.

I’m finally back home after such a special trip to Guatemala, and my heart is still so full. Some of my sweetest memories are the time I spent with the little kids at love and hope house on our worship night. Their joy and laughter left such an impact on me. I also loved being able to pour into the girls at Esther House, encouraging them and reminding them of their worth.

But as much as I hoped to give, I truly feel like I, and the rest of my team, were the ones who received the most. This trip changed me in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m carrying the lessons and love from Guatemala with me into this next chapter at home.

I love spending time with the kids in the individual activities and teaching them skills that could manifest into their own individual gifts and talents. We did the girls hair and got to give them an art lesson. I could see these activities developing into something more for their future in God’s hands. Saying goodbye, the second time around, was even harder because the people at the homes have become family and I’m so glad I get to see how they’re growing. 

Until next time, Guatemala….

Greetings and Blessings from Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala

Written by Execute Board Member and trip member, Chris Gatti

Time here surely seems to slow down, as though God is purposefully redeeming what is His, yet somehow it also seems to slip away far too quickly.  This has been the feeling of my heart in all past trips and this feeling is accelerating as relationships build and develop over time and with consistency.  It is hard to think about leaving again tomorrow to start the way back home, because with each trip we leave more of ourselves behind, we break a little more, we laugh a little more, we cry a little more, we pray a lot more, we love a lot more, then we leave that all behind until we are able to return to these loving relationships & friendships, and it truly hurts…..BUT GOD!!!  

This incredible team of Adam, Donna, Walter, Martina, Aaron, John, Wesslye, Esme, JW, and Helena have been greatly blessed by the instantaneous love and joy that we have all felt from the very second that we stepped foot onto the Manos de Compassion property.  The team arrived on schedule into Guatemala on Sunday and immediately drove the 3, 4, 5, 6 hours to Manos (just depends!!), but this time it was only 3!  We had a late lunch in the city before we started the drive. Once arriving in Santiago Atitlan, we settled into our living quarters with Ron and Rhonda had some time to hang out and continue to get to know one another until we called it a day, despite everyone’s excitement to see the kids and house parents.  

Monday morning started at 7:30 with some breakfast then it was up to the Genesis house to say hello and get to “work”!  There were so many sweet reunions to witness, the little faces that lit up when they saw team members that they know, the real hugs and real tears upon seeing one another again was pure and just such a privilege to witness and feel over and over again.  The team split up early Monday to do some tasks around the Manos property while the kids did their school tasks, then after lunch we started our various projects and engagements with the kids.  Myself, Helena and Esme were super excited that Berta took the week off, jumped on a bus and made it to the Genesis house for “Game Night”!  I think a lot of the kiddos were more excited to see her than anyone else, but she is like a “rock-star” around here, so that ok!!

Tuesday started off the same with breakfast and tasks around the property, then it was Pickleball in the rain and an impromptu indoor “football” match with a pickle ball as the soccer ball!!  Esme led an inspired butterfly art project that was beautiful, and the kids loved it so much!  John and JW have been quite popular with all the girls, understandable they are both “muy guapo” and have good hair!  We finished our day after dinner at the Love & Hope house, my personal favorite, because…babies!!! Duh!  We sang worship with them and just got to love on those little littles.

This morning sunrise was stunning!  After all the rain yesterday and last night, this morning was so vivid, crisp and refreshed everywhere!  Well except the roads, they got trashed. The bumpy rides turned into traveling circus rides!! JW started our day with an incredibly thoughtful and spirit lead devotional time.  This morning was the hike up the mountain and most everyone that could go went and had a blast!  Myself, Dave, Berta, and Peter (HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY PETER!! 9.25.25) went into town to do some shopping for dinner during this time, then we all met back for lunch at “Super Awesome Baby House” (Love & Hope House), where we had amazing lunch of roasted chicken, carrots with herbs, snap peas and broccoli, all that was prepared by the son of the house parents.  The team broke off into “water games” at the airstrip, and a frame designing art project that Esme led and also did a sweet devotional for 3x today!  We finished our day at Esther House for dinner, then privately passed out gifts to the kids from their Parent Partners.  John led us all in a super fun worship time, we laughed and cried and had so much fun we didn’t get out of there until 9:30.  Before we left, we prayed over and laid hands on the Ester house parents.

It has been both humbling and an honor and divine privilege to watch Helena (19), JW (18), John (17), Esme (16), and Martina (9) these past few days.  This generation is something special, something BIG is moving in these kids.  The patience, love, kindness, selflessness, and just utter willingness that each of them has exhibited is…well I don’t know, all I can say, is the highest praise that I know how to give anyone, and that is that I see Christ in each of them!

Tennis and Pickleball for Susan 2025

In August, Champions gathered for our 8th Annual Tennis and Pickleball for Susan at Marietta Country Club to raise awareness and funds for the orphaned and vulnerable children we serve. Tournament play was competitive and fun, and even more friends joined in for our luncheon and silent auction excitement.

We heard from Sarah and Edgar, directors of Casa Bernabe, our newest children’s home, where children are ready to be partnered with Christian families for encouragement and hope.

Hear their testimony and their desire to see this partnership grow in the years to come by watching this video.

Next, Beth Bennett, Area Director for Mission Increase, spoke and graciously affirmed our ministry: “Cream rises to the top. After 13 years of working with over 150 faith-based organizations in the Greater ATL area, Saving Susan is at the very top of my list of ministries that I can highly endorse and recommend supporting.  Their leadership is not only passionate about loving Jesus and orphan care, they are equally passionate about developing their Champion community in discipleship to Christ.” 

Beth also interviewed two current Parent Partners as they shared about the journey they have walked with each of their partnered children. Darren Price shared about his recent trip to visit Vanessa in Guatemala, and Leah Gordon shared the joys she has experienced in her relationship with Keav in Cambodia.

We then heard from other Parent Partners through this video. Each shared what it means to them to walk through life with their partnered child. Each guest was challenged to pray for the children at Casa Bernabe. Who knows? It just might be you God is calling to step out and partner a child.

Thanks to each and every person participating in this years’ successful event. With your love and support we exceeded our goal and raised $75,000 to support the impact causes listed here.