Friends Southwest first became involved in Cambodia in 1994, in response to the invitation of some Cambodian-American members of Long Beach Friends Church (LBFC).
After a time of prayer and discernment, in 1997, Ray and Virginia Canfield, and Gary and Christine Colfax were commissioned by Friends Southwest to strengthen and build upon the pioneer work of those at LBFC. Afterwards, a number of other Friends missionaries followed the Canfields and Colfaxes to Cambodia to assist with the work.