Christmas2022

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.

Michael

At Skun Village, we had the pleasure of having the Commune Chief (responsible for a few villages) and the Assistant Village Chief present for the food pack distribution. Pastor Villa had the opportunity to share the Jesus story and he prayed a blessing for the villagers. During the message, some villagers were paying attention and agreeing to the message. After the message, we distributed the food pack to the villagers and there was much joy among them.

We had the opportunity to talk with the Commune Chief and the Assistant Village Chief. They were appreciative of the food pack distributed to the villagers. We sense some resistance from the Assistant Village Chief about the church work in the village.

Kron Joo

At Lovea Village, there were close to 70 family representatives from the needy community who were eager and patiently waiting. This reminds me of Jesus’ compassion to feed the hungry crowd (of five thousand) in Matthew 14. Sharing of the advent story of Mary’s birth of Jesus in the season of advent helped in directing the attention of the people heavenward –  that ultimately it is Jesus who can satisfy people’s needs beyond physical sustenance, as Jesus is the source of eternal life (John 6:35)

Praise God for the opportunity to collaborate with local community leaders for this opportunity to share the love of Jesus in word and in deed!

Peter

At Lovea Village food pack distribution, the atmosphere was one of joyful anticipation and gathering as a village family. The celebratory mood was helmed by the presence of the commune, police and village chiefs.  A Christmas message was shared in the local language by Om Puerth, one of Love-A-Village’s local volunteers. This modern-day scene reminded me of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matt 14:13-21). All praise to God for the message which will flow to the people regarding God’s provision for their physical and spiritual needs.  

This excellent collaboration which is recognised at Commune level bodes well for future food distribution and evangelism opportunities in other villages within this Commune. All glory to God that all the years of relationship building and involvement of local volunteers have borne much fruit and will bring about even more fruitfulness in the years to come!

We celebrated Christmas with the widows from the Food of Love ministry on 14 Dec. It was a lively time, with the widows leading praise and worship, sharing testimonies, participating in a Christmas-edition bible quiz, playing games and receiving gifts. These widows were once strangers, but through meeting at church every Wednesday to hear the word of God and to have a warm meal, a warm sense of community has formed. In her testimony, Navy shared that she used to feel lonely as a young widow, but she found comfort in this space where she could share her burdens and pray for women in similar circumstances. God showed me how no one falls outside his love and care, and how he desires for all to be a part of his family.

My favourite part of the celebrations was the time of dancing! In Singapore, it is difficult to let go of one’s worries and anxieties, to lower one’s guard and live in the moment. But here, simply following their dance moves and going along with the music, I was fully present and truly enjoying myself! I am reminded of how in 2 Samuel 6 David celebrated with dancing before the Lord and was unashamed of his adoration of God. I pray that the widows will continue to find such unadulterated joy in the Lord and fellowship with one another!

With thousands of donated Among Us stickers, we decided to hold an Among Us-themed Christmas with the children at Love-A-Village. An online game that became popular during the COVID pandemic, Among Us was not known to the children living in the villages in Siem Reap as they did not have access to the internet. However, they were still thrilled to get the Among Us stickers! Something simple like sticking stickers all over their bodies and going around to challenge each other in the most universal game of scissors-paper-stone was fun and exciting! Play can be simple and still be fun. As I saw the children really getting into the game, I could not resist joining in the fun. Although we did not speak the same language, through eye contact, facial expressions and gestures, we played. I felt like a little kid all over again. Seeing their smiles warmed my heart.

This trip was my second time at Siem Reap for Love-A-Village Christmas celebrations. The first time was in 2019. I remember going to Peam Village and meeting Sreisros and the team, as well as Lovea Primary School where Mr Vanna welcomed us with a hearty lunch. Returning to Peam Village felt heartwarming – seeing Sreisros, the team, and the children once again. As the children sang “Peace Like A River” radiantly and bopped to various songs during the celebration, I felt proud and amazed at their growth (both developmentally and their knowledge of English language) and at the wonderful work the team has done to bring out the children’s potential. As I processed some of the film photos I took during the trip, this picture of Sreisros caught my eye. Bidding farewell to the children, I felt a heavy feeling, but in a good way. I felt heavily filled with positive energy and love as the children went their way, knowing that 2023 would be even better for them as they are in loving hands.