Zhiliang Lin – Love-A-Village

Mission Trip Reflections: What our Youths Experienced in Nov-Dec 2024

Leave a Comment / Go with Us, Skun Village / Zhiliang Lin

Happy 2025! LAV is excited for the opportunities that God will bring this new year and we are ever thankful for your partnership with us. One such partnership came about at the end of 2024 when a team of three Singaporean families went on a four-day mission trip to our villages.

They worked alongside our Cambodian volunteers to host a two-day Vacation Bible School and organised an outreach for the parents in Skun. It was an eye-opening experience, especially for the children who experienced God’s working through the team to bless the villagers. Two of the girls, Janelle and Hannah, share their experiences with us:

Reflection on Siem Reap Mission Trip ~~ Janelle, 11

When my mother told me that I would be going on this mission trip, I was excited as it would be my first mission trip and was also the first time I was going to Cambodia. However, I was also nervous as I did not know that there would be translators, so I thought that the language barrier would be a problem.

The people in Skun village (and the people in Cambodia generally) were very friendly and hospitable, despite the hardships that they face in their daily lives. I feel that we have a lot to learn from them, just like how they have a lot to learn from us, in different ways.

When we were there, we held a 2-day Vacation Bible School programme for them. The program was held on 29 and 30 November, a Friday and a Saturday. There were Bible lessons, worship time, games and crafts. During Bible lessons, we taught the children about the creation of the world as most of them are not believers. The teaching was split into four lessons. During worship, we did two songs– He’s got the whole world in His hands [English]/Jesus loves me [Khmer]. One of the translators wanted the children to learn their local worship songs, so there was time for her to teach them another song in Khmer. There were also games and crafts that were related to each Bible lesson, like a recap for the children.

I helped during the worship section by teaching the children the actions to both songs and helped during games by showing how to play them, alongside with the children from the Singapore team.

My most memorable experience was when several of the children prayed to receive Christ, although the pastor still had to follow up with them, but we were there just to plant the seed and let God water and nurture the plant.

Through this trip, I felt that God was telling me that I am very fortunate, as most of the people in Cambodia are less fortunate, and do not get opportunities for education; most of them grow up on farms to make a living. We should treasure what we have, and not take things for granted.

I also learnt that when spreading the gospel, our role is not to persuade others to become Christians, but just to nudge them a bit, and let God do the rest. I am most thankful for the translators; without them, we would not have been able to communicate with the team in Cambodia, let alone the children.

Janelle and Hannah with the children in the playground

Reflection on Siem Reap Mission Trip ~~ Hannah, 11

When my parents told me that our family was going on a mission trip to Skun, I felt so happy! I was excited to serve God and have a memorable time with everyone.

When we arrived at Skun village, I noticed that the pastor there was super friendly and welcoming. The kids in the village were really attentive and listened well to the leaders.Our team spent three days running a program for the kids about the seven days of creation from Genesis. I helped by demonstrating the games and making sure the kids were organized and seated in neat rows.

The most memorable part of the trip for me was definitely the kids. They were so friendly, and I even made friends with a few of the girls!

Through this trip, I felt that God was telling me how blessed I am and that I shouldn’t take things for granted.

I learned that people from Cambodia are very friendly and kind. I’m most thankful that everyone stayed safe throughout the entire trip.

If their sharing has encouraged your heart and you are interested to join us in blessing the villagers, we have good news for you! We are planning a Children’s Camp at Run Ta Ek in May 2025! Drop us an email (Janicetay23@hotmail.com) to indicate your interest and we would update you once details are confirmed.

Mission Trip Reflections: What our Youths Experienced in Nov-Dec 2024 Read More »

Nov 2024: Our Inaugural Youth Camp!

On 15 and 16 Nov, our youths gathered for their first ever youth camp at the AOG church. 40 excited youths were from the different Youth Discipleship Groups in Peam, Skun, Kok Thmey and Phnom Krom came together as one to worship God and build each other up. The youths grew stronger in their faith and conviction of the good work that God is bringing about in and through them.

Deborah, a friend of Janice, shares her experience in leading an activity with the youths:

This would be my third trip to Siem Reap with Janice. This time, I was invited to facilitate activities with the LAV youth for their very first Youth Discipleship Group camp. Janice shared that the camp participants came from different villages and she wanted some bonding activities to get them to connect. The main camp committee also felt it would be good if there was space for the youth to share their hurts and struggles and to connect them to their faith.

I was tentative about what I could bring to the table. I can do fun and games anytime and I also had some ideas of using creative arts as a different medium for the youth to process and articulate their thoughts. However, as I’m not a believer, I wasn’t sure how to connect it to the Christian faith. I was also worried about how the youth would engage with the activities. I had some worries going into the YDG camp; I hoped that the planned activities would achieve the intended goals.

In one of our activities, the camp participants created their ‘Bowl of Light’ and shared about the ‘stones’ (personal struggles and pains) that blocked their light. They also expressed how Jesus can be the light for them (which was symbolised by a little glow stick). During this activity, I saw tears, prayers, comfort, and connection. Witnessing the process reminded me of the phrase, “trust the process”. All my anxieties had gone away; the camp participants could connect with the activity and express their voice. I also have to thank my new friend Sa, who interpreted wonderfully for me and created the magic of the story of the ‘Bowl of Light’ to the participants in Khmer. Rather than an interpreter, he really stepped up to be more of a co-facilitator with me to engage the participants.

In this short 2 days and 1 night camp, I saw the camp participants having so much fun during the treasure hunt, campfire and games, and being reflective during their Bible lessons and devotion time. More importantly, connections were formed all around and it was heartwarming to see the camp participants affirming one another and sharing kind and encouraging words during our final closing activity.

I felt an emotionally interesting feeling of contentment with a tinge of sadness as we bade farewell to each other on the last day of camp. It was the same feeling I get every time I leave Siem Reap. To me, it meant, “Goodbye, see you again!”

By Deborah

Deborah had also prepared a short video showing the highlights of the camp. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the hearts of the youths and bring the truth of the gospel through their lives and into the villages!

May this sharing bless your heart and may the blessings overflow to those around you this Christmas!

Nov 2024: Our Inaugural Youth Camp! Read More »

Nov 2024: Introducing Phnom Krom

Leave a Comment / Phnom Krom / Zhiliang Lin

Nestled in a floating village south-west of Siem Reap, a church bustling with voices of children can be heard. Phnom Krom Church is led by Pastor Nai, a 68 year-old lady with a heart for the children who worship God and attend the Sunday School. It is a small church consisting of 15 church members and 25 children.

The youths and children of Phnom Krom Church

However, Pastor Nai did not have enough helpers for children and youth ministry. She then requested from Pastor Chhay for helpers to lead the children and youths. Pastor Chhay sent Chantana and Hav Kouy to lead the Sunday School and Youth Discipleship Group (YDG). At that time, both Chantana and Hav Kuoy were going through their two-year theological course in the Korean Bible School and this was an opportunity for them to put their training into practice. In Aug 2024, they graduated from their course and are putting the lessons they had learnt to good use in their ministries.

It was a divine timing for Chantana as she had been praying to lead a discipleship group since growing in faith under Om Sipak’s discipleship through Food of Love and the Faithful Discipleship Group. LAV started supporting the YDG in Mar 2024. Currently, the 6 youths in her YDG have been growing in knowledge and understanding, and are thankful for the lessons they are learning through the Abundant Life series.

“Before learning the material, they were afraid to pray, but after learning, they dared to pray even though they didn’t know how to pray but they tried. Also about their studying, the students said to their teacher that after learning about prayer, they follow what they have learned and God answered their prayers and they got good results in their study.”
– Chantana’s update to the LAV team

LAV is thankful to God for more opportunities for our Cambodian brothers and sisters to be a blessing. Please pray along with us that the leaders will remain faithful in their service to God, and the youths and children of Phnom Krom will rise up in their faith and bring the blessing of the gospel to Phnom Krom.

Nov 2024: Introducing Phnom Krom Read More »

Oct 2024: Supporting a Ministry Partner in Siem Reap

Sep 2024: Abounding in Blessings

Leave a Comment / Food of Love, Kok Thmey Sunday School, Peam English School, Peam Sunday School, Run Ta Ek Village / Zhiliang Lin

One thing LAV is always thankful for are the multitude of blessings God and His people have given to the various ministries and villages LAV is supporting. Through those blessings, our people are able to abound in every good work to bless the villagers.

Peam English School

The students have been regular in their attendance though a number of the grade 3 students are getting sick with the rise in the number of mosquitoes in the village. The school has completed preparations for the end of year examinations and the start of the 2024/2025 academic year. Pray for the students as they prepare for the exams. Pray also for the new intake of students in November – that the Lord will prepare the hearts of the new registrants and their parents for the gospel of salvation. The admission of more students would mean more opportunities to bring the gospel to the families and villages.

photo_2024-08-19_10-11-58 — Teaching the students how to resolve conflicts peacefully

photo_2024-08-13_13-14-02 — Bible Story Time

One thanksgiving the teachers have is the blessings from Jenny, a staff from REECH Cambodia. Besides donating the school uniforms and study materials, she gave a new bicycle to one of the students to allow him to commute between school and home.

Peam Sunday School

Peam is seeing an increase in attendance as the students become more involved in the church activities such as the upcoming Christmas skit. They have been enjoying and will continue to enjoy the rehearsals for two skits: Sin Chair and Jesus is Born. Through their rehearsals, they learn to work together and be patient with each other.

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Kok Thmey Sunday School

In Kok Thmey, there is much joy to share. Children are eager to attend bible study to learn about God. More teenagers are attending the teen worship service. Families are coming together to pray and worship at night. People are donating clothes and shoes to help the elderly. With more involvement, there is joy amidst the challenges.

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Teacher Srey Phorn shares her heart in this newsletter:

“I have learned a lot from students as I taught them about God. I learned to serve patiently and not discriminate against any child. I read more about the word of God, became stronger in faith and more courageous and happier. However, sometimes, I also face some challenges. I need more teachers to help me and I need more teaching resources.”

Skun Sunday School

Children in Skun village have recently received playground equipment from various donors. Pray that the playground would be a place for the children to interact and that the faith of the little ones from Skun Sunday School will pass on to other children they play with.

Run Ta Ek Sunday School

Run Ta Ek Sunday School has been growing in size. The children brought their friends to come and join, increasing the attendance from 20 in July to 29 in August. One of their prayer requests is for a proper fix to the broken fences and gates to keep the church safe. Another prayer request is for a successful outreach on 29 September. Pray that they may be able to bring more people to hear the gospel.

Youth Discipleship Groups (YDG)

The YDGs are growing in their faith. Even with the exams coming in September, the YDGs are seeing the attendance stay regular. It encourages the YDG leaders to continue to build the faith of the youths.

Five students in the Skun YDG declared their faith in Jesus and recently got baptised by the river.

Even when the evil one places thoughts to cause fear, our youths are standing firm in the word and speaking out the truth against lies. Srey Neang from the Peam YDG shared her experience:

“One Sunday morning, I was preparing myself to go to church for youth service. I heard a voice whisper at my ears saying, “don’t believe God, you will get hurt, you will have nothing, people will hate you.” At first, I thought it was my thoughts, but it whispered again. Then I realized that it was an evil spirit, so I said, “As long as I have breath, I will trust and believe in God.” Then the voice ceased.”

What she shared in the group has helped other students to continue to pray and to stand strong in faith.

Faithful men Discipleship Groups (FDG)

After going through two books of the Abundant Life, many of the disciples are knowing God better and their lives are displaying the fruits of the Spirit. Sreisros and Soadern’s groups have two disciples each who have indicated their desire to start their own FDG to build the faith of other disciples. Praise God!

A new group was started by Hav Kouy, from the Food of Love FDGs. She was discipled by Om Phallery and she has stepped up to lead a group of 7 widows in their faith. She also recently graduated from the Bible School with Chantana on 27 August.

At Skun, the FDG came together to prepare land for the playground. In a day, many hands gathered together to clear the soil so that there would be a flat piece of land for the children to play safely.

Food of Love

As the ministry continues to distribute food packs, God has placed upon the hearts of the widows to pray for healing upon the villagers. As they share about God, they also pray for God to be their healer to remove their ailments. Many of the widows were encouraged by the prayers for healing and peace answered by God.

Their prayer request is for the skies to be clear from rain so that they can continue to share the gospel as they bring food and healing to the villagers.

May your heart be blessed by the stories shared. Continue to praise God for His mighty works in the lives of the people in Cambodia.

Sep 2024: Abounding in Blessings Read More »

Aug 2024: Transformed Lives Within and Without

Leave a Comment / Food of Love, Kok Thmey Sunday School, Peam English School, Peam Sunday School, Run Ta Ek Village, Skun Village / Zhiliang Lin

We are thrilled to share the latest updates of lives being transformed by the Gospel. Your unwavering support and prayers have been instrumental in our journey, and we hope this update encourages you in your faith and support for the villages.