“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.
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.
Bong Seang on the first day of the accident. She has since recovered and can walk.Teacher Dook preaching to the adults in Run Ta Ek
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.
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.”
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.
On 21 Mar (Friday), we celebrated International Women’s Day with our female Love A Village staff and volunteers. The objective was for a time of rest, relaxing, refreshing and recharging in the Lord. To do that, Seow Chin led a Bible study discussion on Mary.
Guess which Mary she chose from the Bible?
1. Mary, the mother of Jesus
2. Mary Magdalene
3. Mary of Bethany
It was Mary of Bethany! There was so much learning and discussion going on! Here is what some of the participants said:
Masel: The retreat made me reflect on my relationship with God and how I need to walk closer with Him.
Nai Von: Through the Bible study, I learnt that I do not have the posture of Mary. I am like Martha, keep on working and complain about others around me. After this retreat, I am encouraged to become like Mary.
Srey Nuch: I want to be motivated to serve God from my heart and not because everyone around me is serving God and I just follow them.
Sreisros: This retreat gives me time to reflect on myself and who I am with God as my maker. Sometime I felt I’m lost, but the lesson from Mary taught me that I should be found near the feet of Jesus. I would like to have this kind of retreat again if possible.
My key takeaway was that Mary is always at the feet of Jesus! It was a time of reflection for me – am I so busy that I don’t spend time in God’s Word? That I don’t sit at his feet to listen? Am I distracted by worldly things?
It was a good reminder that even though we serve God in ministry, we need to take time to spend time with our Master and Maker. May this song – Before You I kneel – be a blessing to you amidst our busyness.
Overall, the women left the retreat with their hearts full. May this song, which was played at the retreat, Before You I kneel, be a blessing to you amidst our busyness.
Love never fails. Paul reminds us that without love, all that we do and all that we are would be nothing. For our LAV team in Cambodia, love spurs them on to serve the children, improve themselves and bring the gospel to the community. While these accounts show the progress of the team, we pray that the underlying message of love in our actions would spur you on in your service to others.
Peam English School – Sharing Love and Wisdom in the Classroom
As the academic year in Siem Reap comes to a close, the staff team have been setting aside time every Friday for the students to learn about God’s love and how to live wisely in everyday decisions. More than just developing character, these lessons serve as an outreach effort to expose students to the gospel. Bible passages are taught to them in interesting ways for them to remember.
Besides from frontal teaching, students learn in interesting ways through games and scaffolded activities.
Peam and Kok Thmey YDG – Celebrating God’s Love on Valentine’s Day
For the youths, relationships are important to them. Which is why Kok Thmey church organised a Valentine’s Day programme for the youths to remember what true love is and how Jesus is their valentine. The youths were treated to a skit showing how Jesus loves them. They also wrote love letters to God, expressing their love and heartfelt appreciation for all He has done to show His love. At the end, the youths shared a sumptuous dinner under the stars. It was certainly a night to remember. Thanks to be to God for the team of dedicated teachers and youth leaders who coordinated this event.
The staff and youth leaders who made this possible!
Kok Thmey Church – Reaching families with love
The church has started to reach the families of youths who worship at Kok Thmey. In the month of February, we are thankful for the six families who welcomed the church staff warmly into their homes. For some, they had responded to the gospel shared and received Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This is certainly a great start towards sharing the message of God’s love to the families.
The church is also thankful for the students who have stepped up to learn how to play the drums and guitar. We pray that the music they make would be borne out of a deep devotion and adoration towards God.
Run Ta Ek Church – Reaching in love through service
For the month of March, the church is planning an eye check-up clinic and a food pack distribution as part of their outreach effort to the villagers. Pray alongside us as the staff serve the villagers with love that flows from God. For the FDG, they have remained steadfast in their attendance despite the concerns over employment. Pray that the villagers would be able to secure employment and that they would continue to be faithful in all circumstances.
Skun Church – Sharing Bible Stories in the Evening
The villagers at Skun have been responding favourably to the sharing of bible stories in their evening outreach. Many of the children and youths would gather under the soft glow of a single light bulb to listen to the stories of God’s love and power shared by Nayvon. This group has been growing in size and we are hopeful that the seeds of the gospel would take root in their hearts and grow at the right time.
Pray with us
People in Siem Reap: The air quality in Siem Reap dipped due to smog. Pray for the air to clear up and for the Cambodians to have good health and stay safe from the air pollution.
Peam English School: The teachers are busy with the marking of the Grade 6 exams as well as preparing for the graduation ceremony. Pray that the team would be able to plan the graduation ceremony amidst the busyness and find a people to take pictures and print the banner.
YDGs in Peam, Kok Thmey and Skun: The youths in our YDGs are facing opposition from their parents. Pray that the youths would find favour in the eyes of their parents to worship and know God. Pray also that the youths would have wisdom to respond in love to their parents’ opposition.
Kok Thmey, Run Ta Ek and Skun Church: Pray for the families that they may respond to the gospel shared in the different outreach efforts.
May God’s love overflow in your life to those around you!
Church members from Hebron BP Church went on a mission trip in March 2024 to Cambodia and visited the various ministries in Love-A-Village (LAV). Pastor Nathanael Tan shares his account of the experiences the team had.
The team from Hebron, with Janice Tay (carrying the orange bag) between Elder David and Pastor Nathanael.
Widows ministry at New Living Hope Centre (NLHC)
Our first ministry stop was at NLHC where we joined the widows for worship and fellowship. The term ‘widow’ is used quite loosely in Cambodia and can mean a woman whose husband had died, or is a divorcee. Sister Deborah shared a testimony about leading family worship and I shared about my mother who faithfully witnessed to my father till he went home to the Lord. Both testimonies were well received.
The widows enjoyed the butterfly craft session by Sister Christina and no-bake tarts session by Sister Grace. We also distributed shoes donated by a company in Singapore. It was also encouraging to witness the faithfulness of the Khmer sisters who oversaw this ministry.
Peam English School
At Peam English School, LAV supports School Principal Sreisros and 2 teaching staff who conduct English enrichment classes. The English classes are held through the week and are well taught. They also conduct Christian values lessons weekly. Some students also attend the Sunday school regularly. Through the craft session, we interacted with about 20 primary 5 and 6 children and I shared a message on the fruit of the Spirit.
Worship with Run Ta Ek Church
Run Ta Ek church serves the people relocated from areas near Angkor Wat. It is quite remote, and street signs haven’t been put up yet. Om Da had a burden for the people there and would hold a weekly service every Friday, on top of her weekend ministry in her home church. Elder David played the guitar and we presented the song “Jesus Strong and Kind” to the congregation. I preached on the prodigal son, and Pastor Vongsa who was visiting read scripture for me. I must admit that being from a Bible Presbyterian church, we were not used to the loud music, but we knew the worship came from hearts that were full of praise and reverence for God. At the end of the service, we distributed food packs sponsored by Hebron.
Reflections
We were impressed by the passion and drive of Janice, who had devoted 8 years to God’s work in Siem Reap. She has also built up a good partnership with local churches, which provided resources and church volunteers to support the Sunday Schools for students and youth fellowships.
I have also seen how Janice nurtured and trained the staff of LAV, empowering them to lead their ministries. At one meeting I attended, she challenged her staff and volunteers to plan for their first combined youth camp. She listened to feedback given, and was firm when needed. The result was that all involved owned the project, and were excited to carry it out.
I felt that LAV balanced the meeting of felt needs (education, food packs) with meeting deeper spiritual needs (Bible study, fellowship). They ministered to the whole person, in a sustainable way through gospel partnerships with local and foreign churches.
I was also encouraged by the sacrificial service of faithful servants of God like Pastor Bunnath, Om Da and Pastor Vongsa. Despite challenges like health and limited support, they continued to serve God and His people faithfully. It challenged me to remember Whom I was serving, and to be willing to serve sacrificially myself.
We were all blessed by this trip and look forward to future projects with LAV.
If you are keen to partner us for mission trips, we are organising one in November. Email us at [email protected] to let us know your interest.
