Cambodia: Manna in the Desert of Magazine Publishing

“Sometimes I want to give up, said Linat Tiv of Cambodia. “I complain to God like Moses, but every time God provides.”

At our LittWorld 2015 conference, Linat described her desert journey in magazine publishing. The petite 35-year-old mother of two is CEO of Light of Times, her country’s first and only Christian magazine.

Three years ago, Linat was enjoying her supervisory position at World Vision in Phnom Penh. Her salary supported the family. Her husband, Chin, had quit his job after leaders of multiple churches affirmed his calling to produce a magazine to help families live biblically.

After he launched the first issue in 2013, Chin invited Linat to join him. She replied, “If I leave my job, how can we survive?”

Linat prayed for three months until she felt God saying, “Linat, I am the provider, not only to you, but to all people.” So, she quit her job and plunged into publishing by faith.

The couple sold their car, depleted their life savings, and started shopping only second hand. But God began providing manna.

Seeking writer training, Linat called Christian publishing house Fount of Wisdom. The next week she attended a workshop there led by MAI board member Larry Brook. Since then Larry has encouraged and trained the magazine’s four staff members via Skype.

Recently Light of Times published its 11th issue and will celebrate its 3rd anniversary this June. Article topics include keeping children safe on the internet, testimonies, budgeting and more.

Most Cambodians live on $3/day (US) or less, so paying $2.50 per issue is challenging for subscribers. Six hundred churches each receive a free copy. In one congregation, 40 families passed their copy from house to house.

After Linat attended LittWorld 2015, she revised production strategy. They plan to increase printing from 1,500 to 5,000 copies.

“God never gives you a dream that matches your budget,” she posted on Facebook recently.