Author name: Zhiliang Lin

For this year-end trip to Siem Reap, a group of six ladies – Pearl, Ying Lin, Janice, Mei Yeng, San San and Hui Kwang, went with three purposes:

1. a “planning day” with the ministries Love-a-village have been supporting, 
2. a “family day” for the Cambodian volunteers and their families, 
3. a first F2F meeting with Peam English School teachers and observation of English classes for Mei Yeng who has just come onboard to be part of the School Board.

1 Dec 2025: Planning Day

Reflections by Hui Kwang

Janice kickstarted the session by leading everyone in a time of praise while Pearl led a short devotion on the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-12). Mei Yeng then led a game of charades based on bible characters/stories, and there was much laughter as the Cambodians showed off their Bible knowledge and skills at portraying and guessing Bible characters and stories.

The next hour was spent reflecting on God’s faithfulness in2025, looking back at how He has blessed and provided for the three churches and Peam English School for each month of the year. As we listened to each other, we were amazed at how our Almighty and Loving God has provided, protected and blessed. How often do we not count our blessings, and how we should be doing that more often – that came to my mind as I watched each of these ministries share the blessings for each month of the year. At the end of the reflection, Janice surprised each person with a thanksgiving they had written for 2024 and their hopes for 2025. Many saw how the Lord had worked in their life the past year and have a new appreciation for His unfailing presence.

The afternoon session was then dedicated to each church ministry sharing their plans for 2026. It was clear that the church leaders had put much thought into their plans and presented it clearly. As they move ahead with their plans, may God continue to give them the eyes to see how He is working through them to be a blessing for 2026.

2 Dec 2025: Family Day

Reflections by Ying Lin

Attendance for family day at the Black Pepper Resort was as good as any other family day Love A Village had organised to reward and encourage our Cambodian team and volunteers to bond through relaxation and fun. 

I really love how God brought everyone together and am thankful to Him for it. From the young to the young-at-heart, we all enjoyed ourselves, laughed together, and bonded as a family. Thank God for the good weather and that everyone had enjoyed the day.

3 Dec 2025: Learning from Peam English School

Reflections by Mei Yeng (Her first mission trip!)

We visited Peam English School (PES) and had a chat with Sreisros, the school Principal. Her experiences gave me a glimpse of God’s providence. His hand has been upon Peam English School in every area from securing land and buildings, obtaining licences and renovation approval, to providing manpower needs and the support of overseas partners. 

It was encouraging to see both teachers and students overcome appalling road conditions (due to the recent rainy season) to come to school. As I sat in the classroom, I witnessed the joy of teaching from being rewarded with the students’ joy of learning. The teachers overcame limited resources with their overflowing passion and enthusiasm for the students.

This short 3-day mission trip again made us Singaporeans see how the Cambodians have witnessed God’s blessings in the ministries they serve in, how they love what they do and how they strive to shine their light to the villagers they reach out to. It’s a timely reminder for all of us as we close 2025 and look forward to 2026 to be a light wherever the Lord leads and places us – at our workplace, home, school, or ministries. May God’s blessings overflow in your life to bless others in 2026!

On 30 Oct, our hearts were warmed by the arrival of a team of 16 trippers from Bay City Church, Sydney who embarked on a powerful mission trip to Cambodia for 5 days. Their purpose was clear: to interact with the children and university students, and share God’s love with them.

The team ministered to the members of Run Ta Ek Church, the children at Peam Sunday School and the university students at SONOKO University Ministry. 

Take a look at the photos and captions below to find out what they did for ministry!

Heart-to-Heart Connection: One of the most important parts of the mission is simply listening. The team was deeply moved by the stories of the community, fostering genuine relationships built on mutual respect and love.

Practical Support: Recognizing the physical needs of the community, the team helped distribute essential supplies, including heavy rice packs, directly benefiting church members and helping to ease their daily burdens.

Building Bridges: Through an interaction activity called “What Counts,” the team engaged Cambodian university students in conversations about what matters to them, fostering cross-cultural understanding and providing a natural platform to share the eternal hope found in the Gospel.

Foundational Teaching: Sharing the wonder of God’s creation, the team brought the Bible to life for the children, sowing seeds of faith and introducing them to the foundational truths of the Gospel.

Joy and Fellowship: Amidst the teaching, there was plenty of time for fun! The station games brought bursts of laughter, energy, and fellowship, creating unforgettable memories for both the children and the team.

Reflections from the Team:

The BCC trippers came to serve, but they left having received an immeasurable gift: a clearer vision of God’s faithfulness and priorities. Here are some reflections from the team:

Question: How did God reveal Himself to you?

“God revealed Himself to us by showing us how full He can make these children’s hearts even with the lack of resources. The joy on their faces, despite their circumstances, was a powerful reminder that true happiness comes only from Him. Their simple faith and abundant gratitude showed us that spiritual richness is far more valuable than material wealth.”

“God revealed what is truly important in life, that our worries are so small and different to what the Cambodian people might worry about. In Sydney, we worry about deadlines or traffic; here, people worry about the next meal or clean water. It was incredibly humbling to realize how much we have and how much we take for granted. This experience has shifted our perspective on what constitutes a ‘real’ problem.”

Question: When you return to Sydney, and normal life resumes, how will you ensure you don’t forget what you have experienced here? What is one thing you will do?

The team felt a strong call to make this trip more than just a memory, but a life-long change:

Be More Appreciative of What We Have: We will consciously practice gratitude for the simple necessities we often overlook—clean water, stable housing, and abundant food.

Serve the Lord in Whatever Area Possible: We are inspired to actively seek opportunities to serve, recognizing that mission starts at home, whether in church, the local community, or in our daily jobs.

Be a Leader to Help and Encourage Others: We will use our stories and experiences to inspire our friends and family to volunteer, pray, and financially support the ongoing Cambodia Mission efforts.

Spread the Gospel to Everyone: We commit to boldly sharing the light of God, both in Australia and internationally, ensuring the message of hope we saw here continues to reach others.

Reflections from SONOKO University:

The students from SONOKO were touched by the efforts of the Bay City Church mission team and the leaders shared their reflections:

“The program was really beneficial in helping SONOKO further. At first, some of their questions were a bit deep for our students to understand, but after Janice simplified the questions, I can see that the students had fun and they had learnt from Australian team a lot as well. It helped both groups know each other better and get better in cross-cultural communication. Even the new students were interested in the interaction. 

This was a useful way of reaching out to new students and evangelizing to make disciples. Both Christian and non-Christian students learned humility and care from the Australian team and were appreciative of it.” 

The life-changing impact shared by the Bay City Church team is only possible because of your faithful prayers and generous financial support. You are directly enabling the spread of the gospel and the improvement of Cambodian lives. Thank you.

Blessings,

LAV team

October was a season of rest for our teachers in Cambodia as they enjoyed the much needed break at the end of the academic year. During this time, Sreyka, Sreisros and Dalen reflected on the past year of teaching as they prepared for the new school year with their students in Peam English School, beginning this November.

May their reflections encourage you in your own walk with God as you serve others in your work.

Dalen 

My name is Dalen, and I have been teaching English for two years. I currently teach Grade 3 and Grade 4 students. I love working with children, especially those in the villages, because I want to help them learn and grow through language. I also look for new experiences where I can work as part of a team, learn from others, and share what I know to make a difference.

One of the most rewarding moments this year was celebrating Graduation Day. I felt so proud seeing our students succeed after four years of study. For children in the villages, continuing their education is not always easy, but their determination inspired me deeply. Another highlight was our teacher’s retreat and holiday. It was a wonderful time to rest, recharge, and bond with my colleagues.

Of course, there were also challenges. Teaching both fast and slow learners in the same class can be difficult. Grade 3 is often the first year my students learn English. Some already know a little, while others are complete beginners. I have to find creative ways to teach that keep lessons engaging but not overwhelming, especially for those who need extra support.

Some students also come to school hungry and sad because there is no food at home, which makes learning even harder. I try to comfort and encourage them as best I can. I also have students who can be noisy and disruptive, so after class I speak with them privately, give them a short break, and then help them catch up by re-explaining the lesson and assigning extra tasks to keep them focused.

Despite the challenges, I stay motivated because teaching helps me grow, both in my English and as a person. I’ve learned that being a teacher isn’t just about giving lessons; it’s about guiding students to become good people. I’m happy that I can help them learn, grow, and live clean, healthy lives. Before becoming a teacher, I struggled with patience. Now, I’ve learned to respond with kindness and understanding.

I work hard to build trust and strong relationships with my students. When they face problems, I listen without judging them. We talk and pray together. Many come from broken families or live far from their parents, so school becomes a place they love, a space where they are heard and valued. Sometimes they tell me, “Teacher, can you pray for me? I’m scared.” And I always do.

Sreyka

My name is Sreyka, and I’ve been teaching English for four years. I teach Grades 5 and 6. I have always wanted to work in a team and community, and becoming an English teacher has given me that opportunity.

The most rewarding part of teaching this year was Graduation Day. Seeing my students complete their four-year program fills me with joy. What makes me prouder is not just seeing my students graduate, but seeing them come to know God and become part of our community. I also enjoyed our teacher’s retreat, which gave me time to reflect and recharge.

There were challenges too. One major challenge was managing the emotions and mental health of my students, especially those in Grades 5 and 6, who are caught between childhood and adolescence. Their emotions can change quickly, and they often quarrel over small issues. I usually talk and pray with them privately to help them process their feelings. Another challenge is helping shy or anxious students build confidence. I never force them, but give them choices so they can participate comfortably. Sometimes I model an activity first, or let confident students demonstrate, so the shy ones can follow at their own pace.

To build trust, I listen more than I speak. I also visit students’ homes and meet their parents, which helps me understand their circumstances better. Showing forgiveness and correcting with kindness helps students learn to trust me and feel safe to admit mistakes.

Regular teacher meetings and training sessions keep me motivated and help me grow. Having good teaching materials and working with both our Cambodian and Singaporean teams provides great encouragement and support.

This year, I’ve learned to be more patient, fair, and empathetic, both to my students and myself. I’ve also become more mindful of my words and actions. Going forward, I want to continue improving my English and learn better ways to support shy or anxious students.

What I’m most thankful for is the love and trust I’ve earned from my students. After four years of teaching, I’m proud to see them complete our Basic English Learning Program in 2025. I’m grateful that through teaching, I can help connect them with God. Some students have even told me, “Thank you, teacher, for being here when I had nobody.” Those words remind me why I teach: to make a difference in their lives.

Sreisros

I am Sreisros, and I lead the team of teachers at Peam English School. This is my fourth year teaching here. It has been a meaningful year, guiding both teachers and students and helping our school grow within the community.

When my teachers seek advice about classroom challenges, I remind my teachers of their identity in Christ, to imitate Him in how they lead, teach, discipline, and affirm their students. When students are stubborn or unresponsive, I take time to speak with them privately, to understand their struggles and set clear expectations for their behavior.Because our school works closely with the community, I often meet with parents and even the village chief. I’m thankful that they respect us and listen to our advice on helping their children grow. Many parents now fondly call our school the “Jesus School.”

As principal, I ensure that our resources are used wisely to meet the needs of teachers and students. I thank God for the opening of our new classroom and toilet facilities. This will be a blessing to everyone. This year, I’ve grown in leadership and decision-making, though I still see room to improve in communicating my expectations clearly with the teachers. I pray that God will continue to teach me to lead by example and help me build strong relationships with others.

We hope these reflections inspire you to consider how your own work can build others up and create opportunities to draw people closer to God.

Blessings,
LAV

LAV organised a 2D1N camp for the youth discipleship groups to come together and learn what it means to shine for Christ. Through Chin Mai’s sharing of Isaiah and Ephesians, the youths were reminded of how God redeemed them to do good works and bear His light to the world. 

We had the privilege of having two young adult volunteers, Dion and Sherlyn, work alongside us to facilitate the games and interact with the youths. May you be blessed by their reflections.

Dion

Thank you Jesus for giving me the privilege to experience the YDG camp in Cambodia. The camp was simple yet powerful. Simple worship songs, simple desire to know about Abba, simple sharing of the word. Yet, Abba can always use the simple things to do mighty works. Worship was one of the best memories I had. Most of the musicians leading worship were self taught and I had a chat with some of them and they mentioned they practiced really hard and watched YouTube videos to learn how to play the songs. Regardless, there was a strong anointing during worship and hearing all the youths singing from their hearts gave me a glimpse of heaven on Earth. 

We also had lessons on some passages in Ephesians and Isaiah. There were also activities and discussions during the lessons to allow the youths to digest the lessons better.

There were games after the lessons and the youths enjoyed themselves. There were games like tug of war, H2O, memory verses and many others. All of them were really competitive (in a good way) and it was nice to see and hear their joy and laughter. My favourite part of the games was when the game master started counting down, the screams and excitement immediately shot up as they tried to squeeze in a few more points.

There was also a segment where the youths had to give a short performance on what they’ve learnt during the bible lessons. The amount of creativity and thought into the performances were incredible. It was nice to see the youths giving their best and resonating with their performances. 

Overall the camp was an opportunity for the youths to know more about the Heavenly Father and I pray that as they go along their daily lives, they will remember that Abba loves them and has great things in store for them!

Sherlyn

This trip to Siem Reap really reminded me that nothing is too big or too small for the Lord to take care of.

Our main agenda was the youth camp. Many of the youths attending lived in villages far away from the city (and our campsite). On top of that, September is Cambodia’s rainy season. So we prayed, and God delivered. There was no rain when the youths were traveling to and from camp, and no rain during our games. Because of that, the youths could travel safely and fully enjoy all the activities we had prepared for them.

During the camp, we also met a girl named Panha (second from the back). She radiates so much positivity and joy! Yet, behind her smile, we learned that she was recently forced to leave home because her family did not want her to continue her education or serve in the church. She is only 18 years old. With her circumstances, she not only needed shelter but also financial support to continue schooling and to meet her daily needs. So she prayed, and God delivered again. One of our teammates immediately agreed to sponsor her for the next three years until she completes high school. Now, she no longer has to worry about her education and can continue serving God’s kingdom. Praise the Lord!

I came back from this trip deeply reminded that God cares for every detail of our lives. Whether it’s safe travels, good weather, or the future of one young girl, His faithfulness never fails.

If you are interested to sponsor our programmes that support the youths in their studies, email Janice ([email protected]) to find out more. 

Blessings,
LAV

It has been just over a month since the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand was agreed upon. Though the lives of the brothers and sisters have been disrupted, they continue to meet together to worship and serve each other.

May these testimonies stir your faith to support our brothers and sisters in prayer and contributions.

Peam English School

The school was abuzz with joy as the graduating cohort anticipated their graduation ceremony on 3 September. The preparation was filled with smiles and joy as the teachers prepared the gift packs and the students tried their graduation gowns. It was a day to remember for the students, parents and staff as they celebrated the 4 years of growth the students had gone through.

The school also celebrated the opening of the new facilities in the school. Besides a new classroom, there was also a new toilets for the students to enjoy. We are thankful to Sweet Home LifePoint Church and the Gittins family for their support of the new facilities.

We believe that God will continue to use the school to be a blessing to the community and enrich the lives of the students and their families for many years to come.

Sunday Schools

In Peam, the students are enjoying their time of worship in the new classroom. With the rainy season, many of the students are down with malaria or dengue fever. Pray that they will recover and that those who are well will continue to stay strong and healthy.

In Kok Thmey, it was a joy to have a youth volunteer, Vicheka, leading games and worship. She was a former Sunday School student and now in the second generation of Youth Discipleship Group led by Sreyka. For the children, her presence is a role model for them to follow in faith.

Youth Discipleship Groups

The groups have been meeting regularly to build on each others’ lives and share struggles they face. Some are struggling with family disapproval and depression. Pray for healing and perseverance through these difficulties they face. Pray that the youths and leaders would be able to support each other in the tough times they face.

Peam YDG

Kok Thmey YDG

Run Ta Ek YDG

Despite the struggles faced, the youths have been stepping up in their faith and service. The youths in Kok Thmey are finally playing for worship after 4 months of training under teacher Saravuth and teacher Bun Reay.

Churches

On 9 August, we celebrated the birth of a new baby boy to one of our volunteers, Nai Von. Nai Von has been an instrumental volunteer in Skun church doing outreach. She would now focus on her time with her newborn while two youths, Thaiwan and Srey Leak, will take over her outreach ministry.

In Run Ta Ek, we are thankful for the healing and providence that God has brought to the members of the church. One of our Faithful Discipleship Group teachers, Bong Seang, had recently met with a traffic accident with her two children. They have since recovered and are able to resume their lives in work and school.

God had also provided a preacher to assist Pastor Olyda in the weekly messages. Teacher Dook had stepped up to share God’s message to the church members. We are thankful for God’s compassion and wisdom that rest upon him.

In Kok Thmey, a new church member had shown faithfulness in her love for God. Veasna, a friend of Sreymom, recently believed in God after Pastor Ty faithfully shared with her about God from the bible. Though she stays 40km away from the church, the distance did not deter her from worshipping God. She is thankful to God that she is able to make it safely to church regularly.

Food of Love

The women in the Food of Love ministry have been faithfully meeting together to grow in their knowledge of God. Assisting Om Phallary in her work are Hav Kouy and Sokheng. For Sokheng, she has expressed a deep heart for the widows in the ministry. Despite her difficulty in reading, she is praying that God will give her wisdom to teach others and declare His words to them.

Pray that the widows would continue to be faithful in their gathering and that they may be able to afford gasoline to travel down to the ministry to learn about God.

May these testimonies uplift your spirit in the tough times you face and may you find God’s faithfulness amidst the storms in the same way our Cambodian brothers and sisters witness His hand carrying them through their storms.

Blessings,

LAV

A team of 13 mission trippers from Faith Methodist Church took time to serve the Lord and His people in Siem Reap from 5 to 10 June. It was a faith building experience for the team as they served alongside our Cambodian brothers and sisters to bless the villagers. Read more about their experience through their collective reflections below:

Dear Church Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As part of Faith Methodist Church’s M25 initiative, the team partnered with Love-A-Village to organize an introductory mission trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. On June 5, our team—comprising 11 adults, 1 teenager, and 2 young children—set out with excitement and a measure of uncertainty. Many of us began the trip feeling unsure of what we could offer. Would we be able to make any meaningful contribution? What could we offer to the people who have already endured so much, with so little? These questions weighed on our hearts.

But as we started engaging and interacting with the Cambodians, observing and listening to their testimonies, our doubts turned into wonder. Despite limited resources, the believers radiated joy, passion, and unwavering hope—teaching us the power of spiritual richness. They embodied Paul’s message in Philippians 4:11–13 on finding contentment through Christ. Thanks be to God that the experience was deeply joyful and filled with gratitude. While we had hoped to be a blessing to others, it was us who were richly blessed through the people we interacted with and the experiences we had over the 5 days in Siem Reap.

With guidance from Janice, we were privileged to:

• Visit relocated village families and learn about their daily challenges.
• Enjoy warm hospitality and a home-cooked meal at Run Ta Ek Church, with the opportunity to worship alongside Pastor Da’s dynamic church family and bless about 60 village families with 20 kg rice pack each.
• Engage with students at Thansure School and witness Principal Yoo’s inspiring vision for a new campus building.
• Attend worship at Siem Reap Methodist Church, hear its early history from Pastor Sopheak, and connect with enthusiastic Sunday school children.

The village home visits were particularly poignant. At one of the home visits, we came across 2 sisters, Tear-ry and Sombra.

Tear-ry, the younger sister, is a believer who found hope and healing in Christ after a life-changing stroke at age 30 left her unable to walk and with impaired vision.

In her darkest moments, she searched for spiritual comfort—first in Buddhism, but her blurred vision made the texts unreadable. Miraculously, when she turned to the Bible, the words became clear, and she received healing for her eyes. This experience deepened her faith and brought her closer to God.

Despite her faith, life remains challenging for Tear-ry and her older sister Sombra. Sombra, who is not a Christian and has resisted Tear-ry’s beliefs, tends to their small vegetable garden, helping to put food on the table. The sisters survive on dwindling savings and the kindness of friends and neighbors who bring them meals.

One of their greatest daily struggles is the lack of having a toilet in their home. Also, their bathroom lacked a roof. Both sisters had to rely on their neighbors’ toilets which was a situation that is not only inconvenient but also undignified. Moved by their situation, the team and members of our Life group contributed to fund the building of a private toilet and bathroom with a roof.  Construction is now underway, offering Tear-ry and Sombra hope for improved living conditions and restored dignity.

In the midst of our service, the following Bible verse came to mind: Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

អេសាយ ៥៨:១១ (Khmer Standard Version)
ព្រះអម្ចាស់ នឹងដឹកនាំអ្នកជានិច្ច ទោះបីអ្នកដើរនៅក្នុងវាលហួតហែងក្តី ក៏ព្រះអង្គប្រទានអាហារដ៏បរិបូណ៌អោយអ្នក និងប្រទានអោយអ្នកមានកម្លាំងមាំមួន។ អ្នកនឹងប្រៀបដូចជាសួនច្បារ ដែលសម្បូណ៌ទៅដោយទឹក ឬដូចជាប្រភពទឹកដែលមិនចេះរីង។

This wasn’t merely a trip — we returned with cherished experiences, new relationships, opened hearts, and broadened perspectives. Now that we are back in Singapore, we will continue to prayerfully consider how we can be a blessing—through financial contributions, future mission trips, or simply sharing the stories of God’s work in Siem Reap.

May the seeds planted from this trip blossom into a harvest beyond our imagination.

With love and blessings,
June 5-10 Siem Reap M25 Mission trippers,
Faith Methodist Church

If your church is looking for mission partnership opportunities, email Janice ([email protected]) to find out more.

Prayer Update: We are thankful that a ceasefire deal was agreed between both countries. Do continue to keep both countries in prayer that they may seek peace amidst their negotiations. Pray also for our brothers and sisters that they may be able to bless the villagers who are displaced, injured and brokenhearted.

Blessing,
LAV