Serving communities abroad is always a transformative experience, and our recent 6-day trip to Siem Reap was a beautiful reminder of God’s global work. From energetic sports sessions to quiet moments in village homes, our Singapore team witnessed incredible enthusiasm from the local children and experienced deep spiritual growth within our own hearts.
Here is a look at what we did during our 6 days on the ground, woven together through the lessons and moments that defined our journey.
Classrooms Full of Joy and Eagerness
Our school ministries were bursting with life. We spent time at Thansure School, conducting Music and English classes for a total of 100 students across all classes. Besides songs and dance, our team used the stories of miracles performed by Jesus to teach the children English words matched with Khmer.
“The children I encountered are super eager to learn.” – Samuel, teaching the children to dance to a song
“I am so thankful to be part of the team serving the Cambodians. each day was refreshing as we saw the smiles of the students and teachers. It was great seeing how God is moving among the Cambodians.” – Joel, teaching the children English words
We also celebrated a breakthrough in our ministry as we partnered with a local government school, Por Banteaychey School, to run four 1.5-hour badminton classes for 40 students, including another 40 students from Thansure. While teaching badminton, we also drew connections to the gospel by sharing with them how we should return to Jesus in the same way we return to the centre in badminton, ready and alert to do the right thing.
“The Cambodians are very gentle and the children are very lovable to teach. They were very excited to sing God’s praises. The trip was very well planned and all the details were looked into – organized and meticulous!” – Dawn, front row second from the left
“The Thansure children touched my heart with their innocence and enthusiasm. Despite the heat, the badminton students came with full attendance, eager to learn and were very attentive. I could see the joy on their faces.” – Richard packing gift packs for the children
Deepening Community Roots & Spiritual Ministry
Beyond the schools, the team anchored down into local church and village life. Samuel had the privilege of preaching at the Run Ta Ek church service, and the team came alongside the congregation to conduct a practical rice distribution for 60 church members. We also stepped into the community for 3 home visits to pre-believers in the village. For many on the team, these intimate interactions were the highlight of the entire trip.
One of the most encouraging takeaways from our time in Siem Reap was realizing that we are part of a much larger, global tapestry of God’s work as we work hand-in-hand with believers across cultures.
“During the home visit in the village, I could sense the Holy Spirit speaking through my husband, Richard, to minister to the elderly couple.” – Theresa with Richard visiting homes
“I was encouraged by the Cambodian Christians who were our translators, Davis, Srey Ka and Vichea. I could see their heart to serve Christ and that the local church is stepping up to reach their own people. We also met the Korean missionary who set up Thansure School. This trip wasn’t just about doing ministry but also finding out about others doing God’s work is being done in Siem Reap.” – Desmond (far left in yellow) listening learning about Thansure School
Growth Across Generations
The transformation didn’t just happen outwardly, it happened within our own team. Our Singapore team was intentionally intergenerational, creating a beautiful environment for mutual mentorship and growth. Behind the scenes, this unity allowed everything to run seamlessly as young and old worked hand in hand for the gospel. Praise God that the young and old would build each other up towards love and good deeds!
“I was very proud of the 2 young men who came with us on the trip, Samuel and Joel. I could see their growth spiritually and their initiative increasing as the trip progressed.” – Theresa
“Personally, as a young adult, I got to learn a lot from the older trippers – about teaching, career and their life experiences. I am thankful that the Singapore team consisted of trippers from different generations.” – Samuel
This trip would not have been possible without our wonderful partners, local translators, and your faithful prayers. We look forward to seeing how these seeds of faith, sportsmanship, and community continue to grow in Siem Reap!
Cambodia is often called the “Kingdom of Wonder,” and this month, we are heading back to see that wonder firsthand through two very different, but equally vital, mission trips. As our teams prepare to pack their bags (and a lot of donations), we are looking for a community of prayer warriors to go with us in spirit.
1. The Siem Reap Outreach: Sports, Songs, and Studies
Our first team is heading into the heart of Siem Reap to partner with Thansure and a local school. We believe that English, Music, and Sports are “universal languages” that open doors to deep relationships.
The aim is to serve students and teachers, providing high-energy badminton clinics, English workshops, and music sessions that build confidence and joy. Through our service, we want to reflect God’s love in every high-five on the badminton court and every song sung.
2. The Kampot Leaders’ Retreat: Restoring the Visionaries
While one team is on the ground in the schools, another group will be traveling to the coastal province of Kampot to prepare a retreat for our ministry workers. Ministry can be exhausting and this retreat will provide our ministry workers a space for rest, spiritual refreshment, and time for vision-casting for the year ahead.
How You Can Pray
We believe prayer moves mountains. Please join us in praying for:For Hearts to Be Encouraged and Transformed Pray that every participant, from the students in the schools to the leaders at the retreat, would encounter God personally. Pray that heaviness would be lifted, and that His joy would take root deeply within them. We ask that what is shared would not just inspire, but transform.
For God’s Presence to Lead: Pray that every plan would be surrendered. We ask that the Holy Spirit would guide each moment, each workshop, and each reflection beyond what we can arrange or expect. Pray that hearts would be soft, ears would be attentive, and that each person would be sensitive to His Spirit and His Word.
For Hearts to Be Encouraged and Transformed: Pray that every participant, from the students in the schools to the leaders at the retreat, would encounter God personally. Pray that heaviness would be lifted, and that His joy would take root deeply within them. We ask that what is shared would not just inspire, but transform.
Open Hearts: Pray for genuine connection and openness. Whether it’s a high-energy badminton clinic in Siem Reap or a quiet conversation in Kampot, pray for a safe space where people can be real, be seen, and be strengthened together.
Travel & Health: Safety in transit and protection against the tropical heat and fatigue.
Team Unity: That our teams would serve with a genuine heart of service and grace for one another, accepting the differences and working together as one body.
During our April prayer meeting, we gathered to give thanks and petition for God’s favour to rest upon our community in Siem Reap. There was much thanksgivings to share with blessings in the relationships built in the past month.
Here is a look at what God is doing in our communities in Siem Reap:
Peam English School and Kok Thmey Church
We had the opportunity to meet the district governor and the religion administrator. While it was a good chance to build rapport with government officials and share the good work that we do, we were concerned about the official requirement for the church and school to ensure that our materials do not infringe upon the traditions, rights, or beliefs of others. Pray that we would be able to continue in our efforts to reach the community while keeping within the boundaries set by the government.
We also celebrated a new addition to our church in the form of a newborn! Our Sunday school teacher, Srey Nuch, gave birth to a beautiful son. It is a testament to God’s providence! Pray for the newborn to continue to grow and that the new parents would reflect God’s love in their care for their son. Pray also for two other mothers, Masel and Sreymean who are expectant.
Pray also for the parents who had attended the parent teacher meeting in Peam English School that they would continue to partner us in raising their children well. Pray that this meeting would serve as a bridge to the gospel too.
Sunday Schools
Our Sunday school children were thankful for the generous support provided by Samaritans’ Purse where each student received school supplies and food to bring home to their family.
Pray for the children and teachers in Skun Sunday school. The attendance has been decreasing and it is a concern on the hearts of the teachers. Pray that they may continue faithfully in their service towards the children who are attending and that they may have the wisdom to reach the children who have been missing Sunday School and encourage them to come and learn about God.
Khmer New Year Celebrations at the churches
All the churches have much joy to share with over 380 people attending the new year services. Most notably, in Skun, 37% of those in attendance were pre-believers. Parents of our grade 6 students also attended the service and it bears testament of the good work our teachers did in building relationships with the families. Pray that the seeds of the gospel planted would bear fruit in the hearts of all who attended.
Grade 6 students joining the celebrations
Celebrations in Skun
Celebrations in Run Ta Ek
Scholarship Students
Our scholarship students were thankful for the year of growth they had in both their academic and spiritual life. For Vatey and Dalen, keep them in prayer that they would be able to find opportunities to use their gifts according to God’s will. For Saran, pray that she would be able to use the bible lessons she has learnt in her service towards the women’s outreach programmes.
Vatey
Dalen
Saran
Thank you for praying alongside us in support of the ministries. May you be blessed in every good work that God has prepared in advance for you to do!
For three impactful days, Salt and Light Society spent time with the youths of Skun Village to help them discover their voice to share their testimonies of God’s goodness and mercy. Instead of using traditional methods of sharing testimonies, the team used the universal language of the digital age: emojis.
Without using a translation app, can you guess how the emojis express the gospel?
The Challenge: Testimonies & Emojis
For the first day, they worked closely with 18 incredible youths. The challenge was to teach them how to confidently share their personal testimony and the message of the gospel using only a simple sequence of emojis. This wasn’t just a fun exercise; it was a powerful tool to help them visualize and articulate their own stories of faith in a simple, relatable way. Watching their nervous smiles turn into expressions of confident conviction as they shared the emojis and their testimonies was a true highlight.
Learning to share the gospel with emojis
A Day of Joy in Siem Reap Town
Of course, no journey is complete without fun and fellowship! The team took a well-deserved break for a fun day out in Siem Reap town. Together with the youths, they learned about other impactful Christian ministries, creating a wider sense of community. The joy and excitement peaked when they visited a photobooth shop, creating hilarious, silly photos that will be cherished forever. To top it off, we ended the day at a bookshop, giving each youth the chance to pick out items of their choice. For many, this was a first-of-its-kind experience.
Sunday: The Grand Finale
Everything built up towards an unforgettable Sunday.
The Service: The youth took center stage at the village church. With hearts full of courage, they performed and publicly shared their personal testimonies. It was a deeply moving and powerful moment, witnessing the transformation from youths who had no idea where to start to bold witnesses who can testify of God’s goodness and mercy.
The Talentime Show: The seriousness of the morning gave way to pure, unadulterated joy in the afternoon. We hosted a Talentime show! The youth had so much talent, and we were treated to a spectacle of singing, dancing, and creativity. The energy, the laughter, and the sense of pure celebration were the perfect way to wrap up our time together.
Our Final Reflections
As the team said their goodbyes to the 18 youth and the people of Skun Village, they left with the conviction that they had planted a seed which God will continue to nurture to bear fruit for His kingdom. These young people are now equipped and empowered to share their hope with their community, a testimony to the potential in every one of them.
May the gospel shine through the testimonies of these young lives!
Our first prayer meeting of 2026 in 2026 was a celebration of thanksgiving! Our Cambodian sisters shared the many ways God has showered their ministries with blessing. From new wheels to new faces, the work that God is doing encourages us to pray even more! We hope these updates will spur you in your prayers too.
Peam English School
Thanks to the generosity of REECH Cambodia, the school received $1,145 USD in vital funding. Our teachers also received two new laptops and two full days of pedagogical training, sharpening their skills to better serve their students, while our underprivileged students received 7 bicycles. Two other students were provided with daily allowance, ensuring that distance and poverty are no longer barriers to their education.
Skun
The church was abuzz this month as they welcomed a new tuk-tuk and trailer. Co-funded by the local church and LAV, this vehicle will be used to transport youth to their Youth Discipleship Groups (YDGs) and support community outreach. It’s more than just transport; it’s a tool for blessing the entire community around the church!
Kok Thmey
The community held its first youth fellowship, and the turnout was incredible. Our leaders were moved by the fire in the youths’ hearts to know God more deeply, with some forming the third YDG in Kok Thmey.
Our Sunday School was also revitalized with four new assistants: Deb, Rosa, Pharim, and Vicheka. The children are already captivated by their energy and love for Jesus.
Run Ta Ek
In Run Ta Ek, the youth recently combined with the youths from Skun to form a combined Youth Discipleship Group (YDG). By merging for fellowship, these young believers are building a support network that stretches beyond their own village. We are so thankful for the provision of food, which allowed the youth to linger, talk, and pray for one another, strengthening the ties that bind them.
In the same way that nothing is too small for God to provide, let us remember that nothing is too small to be thankful for. Whether it’s a laptop, a bicycle, or a new friendship, may He continue to give us eyes to see His faithfulness in both the big milestones and the quiet, everyday moments of 2026.
“Overflowing” is the word that best describes what God did in the month of December. Through the faithfulness of our Cambodian brothers and sisters, Christmas celebrations were organized to reach the community and God blessed these efforts with abundance in every way.
Overflowing with People Hungry for the Gospel
Across five celebrations, more than 850 people attended—far surpassing all expectations. We give thanks that God stirred hearts to come, to celebrate, and to hear the good news of Jesus.
In Run Ta Ek and Skun, the teams had anticipated 100 and 150 participants respectively. Instead, God multiplied their efforts, bringing 250 people in Run Ta Ek and 280 in Skun.
In Run Ta Ek, many visitors were refugees who had fled from the Thai–Cambodian border seeking safety in Siem Reap. The venue overflowed, with some participants having to sit outside the church to be part of the celebration.
Run Ta Ek – Youths from the refugee campsSkun – Many had the chance to hear the gospel preached
Overflowing with Gifts and Blessings
God provided abundantly for the needs of families through your generous support. During the celebrations, basic necessities and clothing were distributed to help families through this difficult season. Children also enjoyed games and activities, with prizes that brought laughter and excitement.
Peam Sunday School children enjoying the gifts Widows receiving clothes and shoes for their families
Overflowing with Joy in the Lord
The Christmas celebrations reminded us of the hope we have in Jesus. Even in the midst of hardship, the Spirit filled hearts with joy that overflowed. Young and old alike danced, sang, and celebrated together, rejoicing in the victory we have in Christ.
Sunday School performanceWidows dancing and singing praises to God
Overflowing with Prayers for Peace
While we were grateful for the peaceful environment during the celebrations, we acknowledged that this peace comes only from God. In Kok Thmey, the church lifted up prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, asking God for reconciliation between Thailand and Cambodia so that lasting peace may continue.
God is indeed a provider of overflowing abundance that overflows. May we always fix our eyes on Him in our day to day living and recognise the overflowing cup He has poured out for us to be a blessing to others.
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:
a “planning day” with the ministries Love-a-village have been supporting,
a “family day” for the Cambodian volunteers and their families,
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.
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.
Our students dress proudly in their graduation gowns.
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.
Dalen teaching her students new vocabulary
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.
Five of our English School students proudly displaying their baptism certificates.
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.
Sreyka teaching students about signs and directions
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.”
Sreisros and the team of teachers meeting over lunch
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.
Sreisros praying for a student alongside Sreyka
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.
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.
