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From Hell to Heaven: From Surviving the Killing Fields of Cambodia to the Beatitudes of Living in Gratitude Kindle Edition
Sophal Pettit, was a young child when the Pol Pot revolution came to Cambodia.
She, along with her parents and siblings, is a survivor of the Killing Fields of Cambodia. They came to this country with nothing, but their lives. At age fourteen she enrolled in school for the first time, not understanding or speaking a word of English. Sophal shares her stories beginning with the normal everyday life typical to lives as most of us know it, to the isolation, unspeakable death tolls, and devastation of the Killing Field, then, her family’s escape to U.N. camps and subsequent sponsorship to the U.S.
Sophal’s touching story will grip you, as she talks about the struggles of adapting to life in the U.S. and her journey to discovering herself. She shares her story to inspire others to understand that they do not need to live a life of victimhood and that they can indeed overcome the trials life brings to them.
Sophal’s deep spiritual connection to God has been her saving grace. She describes herself as a child of the King of Kings, a wife, mom of 3 kids, a grandma (aka) Glamma, and a partner business owner. She lives a busy, productive life. While her journey has not been an easy one, she knows that the road that she took has made her a champion for life.
Endorsement
This must-read book is a riveting, inspiring true story of survival, courage, and perseverance against tremendous odds and oppression.
I was so moved by “From Hell to Heaven”. Sophal Pettit seamlessly knits together the past and the present as she recounts living the horrors of war as a child, and then learns to rise above adversity as an adult with faith, hope, and forgiveness.
From Hell to Heaven… affirms our hope that the present can redeem the past and that God’s love has the power to heal.
It is a poignant and memorable story of a war-torn family’s rise from being victims of war, to living a life of victory. It is my honor and privilege to recommend and endorse this book.
Susan Miller, author of After the Boxes Are Unpacked
Founder and President, Just Moved Ministry
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Product details
- ASIN : B07ZG6KHQ1
- Publisher : Spotlight Publishing (October 21, 2019)
- Publication date : October 21, 2019
- Language : English
- File size : 2.7 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 107 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,014,501 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #936 in Faith & Spirituality (Kindle Store)
- #971 in Asian American Studies
- #992 in Women's Spirituality
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Sophal was born in Takeo, Cambodia, a small town near the Vietnamese border on July 16th, 1970. At the tender age of five, the Khmer Rouge, a communist guerrilla group led by Pol Pot, took power in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia forcing all city dwellers into the countryside and labor camps. During their rule, it is estimated that nearly 2 million Cambodians died by starvation, torture or execution. Having survived the horrible suffering and nightmares of the killing fields, at the very young age of fourteen, she and her family of seven arrived in the United States as refugees.
Beginning life anew in Hummelstown, PA was not without its challenges. Having never had a formal education, she entered school for the first time at age fourteen, without knowing a word of English, an Asian child in a classroom of white children, who, having heard their parents talk of the Vietnam war, did not take kindly to someone so different from themselves.
Struggling to adjust in a new country and culture, life was full of hard work, and new, often difficult experiences. Married at a young age, Sophal’s life took a new twist, as her abusive alcoholic husband wreaked havoc on the lives of her and her children. Finally, she and her children escaped the abusive marriage, and hard work, determination, and a will to survive spurred her forward.
In 1997, Sophal met and married her husband Charles, and together they began building both their lives and business together. In July of 2007, with changing economic times, business failure looming and her health failing, exhausted and disillusioned, Sophal found God. The transformation it brought to her life and the lives of her family is exceptional. In her journey of self-discovery, her faith, gratitude and trust in her wise and loving God has brought her a fulfilling and joy-filled life that she shares with all she meets.
Sophal’s touching powerful personal story will touch and inspire you and demonstrates her unfailing mindset that her life is destined for success.
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Customers find this book inspiring, with one mentioning how the experiences incorporate Biblical teachings practical for daily lives. They appreciate the author's faith, with one customer describing her as a true woman of God.
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Customers find this book inspiring, with one customer noting how the experiences incorporate Biblical teachings that are practical for daily lives.
"This is a wonderful book about perseverance, faith in God, and being intentional." Read more
"...In her book, her words come alive and this book is a legacy to her and her faithfulness to God...." Read more
"Sophal’s story is heart wrenching and so honest. It is so easy to be raised in the average middle class family and complain about our “problems”...." Read more
"...on to see God take hold of Sophal's life and how uses everything was truly inspirational...." Read more
Customers appreciate the author's faith, with one describing her as a true woman of God and another noting her deep love for God.
"This is a wonderful book about perseverance, faith in God, and being intentional." Read more
"...her words come alive and this book is a legacy to her and her faithfulness to God...." Read more
"...the Bible forefront in Sophal's life to move her forward - a beautiful testament to how we are seen, and never forgotten by Him...." Read more
"From Hell to Heaven is such an inspiring story written by an amazingly real woman!!!..." Read more
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Better Educated and Inspired
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025This is a wonderful book about perseverance, faith in God, and being intentional.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019Sophal’s story has me inspired to be the best version of myself. Her life stories and experiences incorporate Biblical teachings practical for daily lives. Her story of courage and overcoming the Cambodian killing fields has given me faith and hope that even in the darkest places, God exists and saves all who call to Him. If you know Sophal in person, she is the most genuine and one of the wisest people you meet. She often offers wisdom and laughter to everyone she comes across. In her book, her words come alive and this book is a legacy to her and her faithfulness to God. Glory to God in the highest for allowing her and her family to proclaim and profess His goodness. Her story also ties in how living a life of a refugee and coming to America to build a new life, captures the American Dream and how to be grateful for all the blessings through knowing Christ Jesus.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2025Sophal’s story is heart wrenching and so honest. It is so easy to be raised in the average middle class family and complain about our “problems”. Sophal had a life that no one would like to live but she honestly sees how God has worked in it and praises Him! Amazing lady telling an amazing story!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019I don't remember learning much about the "Killing Fields" in school, so the subject was foreign to me. It is shocking to hear what happened to these beautiful people of Cambodia. Then reading on to see God take hold of Sophal's life and how uses everything was truly inspirational. He placed Himself and the Bible forefront in Sophal's life to move her forward - a beautiful testament to how we are seen, and never forgotten by Him. I know the Bible is our playbook for life, counselor, self help book and way to activate His Holy Spirit in us - and reading Sophal's book made me cry then smile. Reading about her life brings hope for others and makes "From Hell to Heaven" a valuable read for everyone!
5.0 out of 5 starsI don't remember learning much about the "Killing Fields" in school, so the subject was foreign to me. It is shocking to hear what happened to these beautiful people of Cambodia. Then reading on to see God take hold of Sophal's life and how uses everything was truly inspirational. He placed Himself and the Bible forefront in Sophal's life to move her forward - a beautiful testament to how we are seen, and never forgotten by Him. I know the Bible is our playbook for life, counselor, self help book and way to activate His Holy Spirit in us - and reading Sophal's book made me cry then smile. Reading about her life brings hope for others and makes "From Hell to Heaven" a valuable read for everyone!Better Educated and Inspired
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019This book gave me insight into the experience of Cambodians immigrating to America. Although Sophal's experience is unique, I imagine any immigrant would identify with some of her struggles.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019From Hell to Heaven is such an inspiring story written by an amazingly real woman!!! To learn about all of Sophal’s struggles and how she found God and learned to lean on Him to survive and grow, provides a
priceless roadmap for the rest of us who may be going through tough times. It is obvious that Sophal writes this book from her heart and out of her deep love for God and all He has done for her. This book is a must read, and a fantastic resource in helping one to grow in their faith walk.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2020This book gave me a whole new appreciation for my country. I didn't know about "the killing fields" although the phrase alone is enough to give you the chills. The things that Sophal had to learn and do at such a young age just to survive is terrifying. It's extraordinary that her entire family was able to escape. Her story about coming to the USA, finding God, and (somehow) being able to let go of the past in order to save her future deserves a place on your bookshelf. There's a lot of wisdom in this book. Gratitude, grace, personal growth, and overcoming challenges are a few of the topics that Sophal touches on.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019I personally know Sophal and consider her a true woman of God. She is always smiling and happy. She brings joy to all those who know her. Her journey has been both amazing and inspiring.