NAK NAK'S STORY

 NAK NAK'S STORY

Oct. 7, 2025

Oun Nak Nak is a vibrant 34-year-old sister who works at the church distribution center.  She had some incredible experiences with how the gospel came into her life.

When she was a very young child, some missionaries left a Book of Mormon with them at their home.  That was it.  No other lesson or contact at that time.  Then when she was just 7 years old, she saw some elders walking down the street, and she remembered the "tags."  She went running after them and asked if they would come to her home.  Beginning of her gospel journey!

Nak Nak grew up in a very poverty-stricken situation.  Her father and mother divorced, and her father remarried 5 times.  BUT the fifth time was back with her mother again, now a more mature man, and family life started to become more stable.  However, Nak Nak was so poor that she didn't have shoes and often had to go begging to the neighbors for food.  

When the elders started teaching them, the neighbors were sometimes mean to their family. They stopped giving them extra food to eat. They would throw dirty water and garbage food on the missionaries, but the elders came anyway. They challenged her father to come to church, but he didn't know how it would be possible to support his family.  The family did not know how they would have food even for that very day.  He put faith into action.  He got up several hours earlier than usual on Sunday to do his moto (motorcyle) delivery driving.  Then he went to church.  When he got home, his neighbor said he had a dead dog he could have.  Yes, their meat is valued in Cambodia!  He took it to the market and was able to get $50 for it - an unbelievable amount.  Blessings abounded for this act of faith!

Nak Nak was unable to have formal schooling pass 8th grade while growing up, but she did learn to read and became very earnest in her learning pursuits  She helped support her family, at times carrying three different jobs.  One job particularly helped because she took care of children in a place that had a lot of books. She read and read and read.  She was encouraged by a church leader to enlist the mercy of a province leader to accredit her for college.  She took the entrance exam and miraculously passed!  She received an associates and a bachelor's degree in accounting.  Later on, she was able to do the BYU Pathways program in business management and further her education.  She is an example of the great value that program provides.  She even now goes back to the school of her early years and speaks with them about hope in education possibilities.  

Nak Nak met her future husband at a church function, and when she first saw him, she knew that he would be her future husband.  He is 14 years old than her and is a returned missionary. She broke tradition and asked him if he would marry her!  He did not have any money, so she willingly paid for the wedding because he was unable to; otherwise, they would have needed to wait for another few years.  They have now been married 13 years.  She is so happy  in their relationship and talks about his loving gentleness and the good family he comes from. They have an eleven-year-old son who is active in the gospel and is the joy of their lives.

 

Every year, they make big sacrifices to save up and journey to the Philippines for a temple trip.  She shared how each time they go, they have a certain big question or family desire that they present to the Lord in faith.  So many bigger, important blessings have filled their lives because of this, such as the employment opportunities they have, being able to move into their own home with just a $500 deposit (not renting anymore), inspiration on an approach with a learning disability their son has, etc.  She does not take the temple for granted.  She bears a strong testimony of the spiritual strength and the choice, revered blessings found there.

Today, Nak Nak is also a strong advocate in the community for social work needs. She was involved with an orphanage for 10 years and has even sponsored several children herself. Most of these children (over 30 of them) were living in the dump before this, a huge growing mountain of trash. She is an defender for helping those in need and raising the standard of living among the people.  Her voice as an influencer gathers people together.  

 Nak Nak glows with the gospel light and her unwavering faithfulness!