Thansure – Love-A-Village

Jul 2026: 6 Days of Faith, Sports, and Intergenerational Ministry

Run Ta Ek Village, Thansure / Zhiliang Lin

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!

Jul 2026: 6 Days of Faith, Sports, and Intergenerational Ministry Read More »

Jun 2026: Two Teams, One Purpose: Our Upcoming Journey to the Kingdom of Wonder

Thansure / Zhiliang Lin

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.

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Aug 2025: Reflections from Faith Methodist Church Mission Trippers

Run Ta Ek Village, Thansure / Zhiliang Lin

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.

Though we came to serve, we found ourselves continually blessed.

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

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Oct 2024: Supporting a Ministry Partner in Siem Reap

Thansure / Zhiliang Lin

When Love-A-Village first started out in 2016, we were introduced to Teacher Yoo, a Korean missionary serving in Siem Reap. She founded Thansure School, a mission school in Siem Reap, and became one of our early partners. While most Korean missionaries chose to serve in Phnom Penh, Teacher Yoo had a calling to reach the children of Siem Reap. Her vision for the school was to raise a next generation of Christians who would share the love of Christ with others.

In April 2010, Teacher Yoo started Thansure school as a kindergarten for 30 children from low-income families. Since then, Thansure school has grown, and presently has 52 teachers and 250 students from kindergarten to Grade 12.”

The current school grounds consist of three 1-storey blocks with classrooms, a small hall and an office for teachers. At the current school strength, this compound is struggling to meet the needs of the staff and students.

Grade 7 to 12 students attending orientation briefing in the hall.

Desiring to expand the school, Teacher Yoo started praying for a new school compound that would allow more children to enrol into the school in 2017. Besides providing more spacious classrooms, the school would have a library, a computer lab and a chapel for the whole school to gather and worship. For her, this new school is a temple where the Lord’s disciples will grow. She bought the land in 2019 for US$420,000.

In 2023, the construction work started. The foundations have been laid and work has started on the 2nd floor. It is expected to be completed at the end of 2025. The total cost of the project is US$1 million and each month, Teacher Yoo is expected to pay about US$50,000 for the project to continue. She has been thankful for the support so far and is seeking support for the coming months.

To learn more about the building of the school, you can watch this youtube video uploaded by Teacher Yoo for her Korean supporters:

As partners in Christ, Love-A-Village would like to gather a one-time love gift towards the amount needed to build the school. We pray that you will come alongside us to contribute towards that gift and also to pray that Teacher Yoo will always have funds for each month’s payments. If you would like to join us in supporting the school, you may find details of how to transfer to us here. We would consolidate all contributions by 31 Oct 2024.

Update (3 Nov 2024): A total of 11,000 SGD and 2,000 USD was collected. On behalf of Teacher Yoo, we would like to express our thanks for your heartfelt support towards the betterment of the lives of the Cambodians through education and the sharing of the gospel. Do continue to keep the school in prayer as they prepare for the new school building.

Update (4 Jan 2025): Teacher Yoo has met the required amount for the 10th progress payment for the project. The construction of the school can continue. Thanks be to God!

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3-7 Sep 2022 Trip Reflections

Go with Us, Thansure / janicetay23

Reflections by Kee Eng

On 5 September, our morning drive to Peam Village took us 45 mins on a paved road with a short 10-min bumpy ride. We arrived at Peam Village Foundation around 9.30 am to observe the English lessons. We were met by the English School principal, Ms Sreysros, and Ms Sreyka who teaches the Grade 3 students.

The English School presently offers English enrichment lessons for Grade 3 and 4 students (16 students per class for each morning and afternoon session, Monday to Friday).

We went to observe lessons in the English School. The morning session had 12 Grade 3 students in attendance.

While waiting for lunch, our team prepared balloons and distributed them to government primary school children next door after their morning session. What joy to see the kids’ faces light up and their posture of thanksgiving.

After lunch, we observed an English class session with 14 students in attendance.

In both English School’s sessions, we handed each student a toothbrush. Proud moment of the day – young Timothy, went on stage to present a lesson on dental brushing with his parents, helping with the props.

I was pleasantly surprised to see some students coming in early on their bicycles to play games and have fun at the compound. The school hall is well equipped for both the teacher and students as a place of learning. I can sense the joy in the kids as they were very eager to learn and participate in classroom activities.

Reflections by Shuting

On 6 September, we visited Thansure School which is currently supported by Christians in Korea. This school currently has more than 200 students from K1 to Grade 8. This large school is managed by a Korean ‘Lady of Faith’, Ms Yoo, who continually prays for better conditions and environment for her students. She shared her prayers to build a cement road and her prayers were finally answered as the government finally did that after 13 years. The students are always thankful for help and support from visitors to the school, and never forget to count their blessings. Each of us was given a nicely wrapped present with handwritten thank-you messages.

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