Michael
At Skun, we had a time of reflection with Pastor Villa, Rinat (Villa’s wife) and Nai Von (leader) on 2022’s work. They thanked God for the upgrading of the church and the curriculum provided for the Sunday School. Their focus for 2023 is to train disciples as in 2 Timothy 2:2. Please pray alongside us on this focus for 2023.
In this journey with Pastor Villa, we are sowing the seeds of love to the villagers. We pray that our Triune God will soften the hearts of the villagers, the village chief and his assistant with the love of Jesus. Please pray alongside us for Pastor Villa and his team in this ministry in the village.
Kron Joo
As I sat in the review that Michael Tay facilitated with the local Christian volunteers at Lovea, I noted their enthusiasm in desiring to impact the next generation. Michael Tay shared aptly in 2 Tim 2:2, “And the thing you have heard me say in the presence of many people who will also be qualified to teach others”. While the Singapore team could encourage and support the local work through prayers, financing and sharing of resources, we trust God to raise His servants in Siem Reap to reach the young in the community of Lovea Village, ground them in their faith, with the beneficiaries in turn blessing others in time to come. Praying and claiming by God’s grace and providence, that this will come to the pass. Amen!
“Same Same But Different” was a cultural circus show that I enjoyed with fellow Singaporeans the evening before in Siem Reap.
This theme takes on a special meaning during the planning session that I attended. The Singapore team together with the local staff and volunteer teams from varying projects in Siem Reap sat down to review their work for 2022 and plan for 2023. Janice Tay, Singapore team leader shared from 1 Cor 12:4-6, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work”. This resonates with me as I witness God leading members from Bay City Church in Australia, Christians from different churches in Singapore and local Christian staff and volunteers from Siem Reap churches coming together for our one Lord Jesus for His Kingdom work in the Siem Reap community!
Peter
This is my first visit to Cambodia and it’s also my ‘first’ overseas mission trip after a lapse of almost 15 years. I came on this trip with an open mind, with the confident expectation that the Lord has blessed the communities in Siem Reap through the work of Love-A-Village.
Unlike the experiences of my previous mission trips which were mainly project and outcome focused, this trip impressed me on two aspects: relationship building and local participation.
In between our visits to the villages, we had the opportunity to explore parts of Siem Reap together. This allowed fellow trippers to know each other better during our exchanges in the midst of conducive cafe chats and tasty gelatos. More importantly, this bonding and the wonderful interaction with local staff and volunteers enabled trippers to have a better appreciation of the needs and the lives of ordinary Cambodians in Siem Reap.
