Meet Joe and Viya Stoltenow

Serving the Lord in Cambodia!

Birthdays

Joe June 6

Viya May 12

Ray July 10

Elliana May 17

We are Joe, Viya, Raymond, and Elliana Stoltenow. We have been missionaries serving in Cambodia for the past seven years working in and around Battambang city with poor and homeless children. We believe firmly that the most important role we have here in Cambodia is as an instrument for the Holy Spirit to enter into the lives of the children we serve here. Through various programs here we have worked with a wide variety of children in Battambang. From poor village children to starving street kids, we aim to spread the gospel of Jesus through our love and actions as we work to strengthen not only the children’s faith but our own faith as well.

In July 2017, with the help of Global Lutheran Outreach, we opened a brand new street kids ministry here in Battambang called Ray of Hope. At Ray of Hope we are able to work directly with street kids and their families with a primary goal of teaching and showing them the love of Jesus though words and actions. We began the 2017-18 school year with five students in our program and are up to sixteen students here in the 2021-22 school year. Everyday we pick the street kids up off the street, bring them to our center, bathe them, feed them, cloth them, and take them to school. We also feed them lunch and provide daily bible classes for them. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for Ray of Hope.

Joe first came to Cambodia in July 2014 working with homeless children living on the streets of Battambang Province. They were un-bathed, malnourished and mostly un-cared for. Seeing them forced to beg for food and money and seeing people look down on them was painful to see and my heart broke, but at the same time, I fell in love with those children and knew what my mission was. I wanted to show the children not only my love but more importantly God’s love and the message of Christ’s suffering and death for them so that they too could receive eternal life with Him in heaven.

Viya was born and raised here in Battambang and shortly after her birth her parents converted to Christianity. Viya grew up with a strong Christian faith and at age 20 began working in street kids ministries. Viya has a great passion for working with homeless children and being a positive Christian role model for them. She also has a passion for the culinary arts which she pursues in her free time.

Joe and Viya met in July 2014 and were married on Nov. 28^th 2015. We put a strong emphasis on faith before culture, not only in our marriage but in our ministry as well. We believe all Christians are called to the mission field. Whether in a foreign country or in our local communities, God calls us all to spread His word and His love wherever we may be.

Raymond “Ray” Joseph Stoltenow was born on July 10th, 2017 here in Battambang and was baptized on August 6th, 2017 by Joe’s father Rev. Dr. Bradley R. Stoltenow (aka Papa) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Battambang. Raymond and Ray of Hope are both named after Joe’s late grandfather Raymond Stoltenow, who went to be with Jesus in February 2017.

Elliana “Ellie” Chan Stoltenow was born on May 17th, 2021 also in Battambang. She was baptized on June 8th, 2021 at our home in Battambang by Joe, with “Papa” Stoltenow reciting the order of service via Zoom meeting. Both of our children have brought such joy to Viya and I, and we thank God every day for adding them to our lives.