April 2 – from Singapore to Cambodia

The Cambodia missions led by Rev. Colin Wong lasted 6 days from April 2 – 7. The other team members comprised Elder Sng, Francis Leong, Desmond and Timothy.

The team arrived into Phnom Penh the evening of April 2 and was cleared by immigration and customs with only a minor hitch – a big box of stationeries. We opened the box for inspection as requested. However, after a quick look, he waived us off. Praise the Lord!

Outside the arrival hall, Mrs. Grace Hahn and Benjamin (a Bible Student) were waiting for us and soon, we were whisked off in two taxis for Mittaphead Hotel. After a quick simple dinner of Vietnamese noodle and a short session of prayer, we turned in at 10.00p.m.

 April 3 – from Phnom Penh to Kompong Son

After breakfast, we convened at the reception hall at 7.45a.m. for the start of another day’s program.

The first stop was the PJ Prison, a short drive from the hotel and where our brother Sambath has been in remand. The 2-hour program consisted of two parts – the first was the baptism of 15 inmates and the second was a meeting with the 6 leaders trained by brother Sambath to take over the ministry after his release. There were actually 29 who seek baptism; however, due to security reason, the Prison Director only agreed to 15.

After the baptismal service, we held a separate meeting with the 6 leaders together with Sambath and Mrs. Grace Hahn. The objective of this meeting was to provide them with encouragement to continue the works of evangelism in the prison. We were very encouraged by their testimonies and their united vision to preach to every cell mate. These are the names of the 6 leaders and we should hold them in prayer: Potita, Sry Sren, Ich Choun, Phin Sokhun, Oung Chandara and Chan David.

Currently, there are a total of 143 prisoners and out of these, 59 have already accepted the Lord as their personal saviour.

After bidding farewell to Sambath and his charges, we returned to the hotel to check out and proceeded to Kompong Son. Along the way, we visited the Borei Serei Pheap Church and was met by Isaac, the person-in-charge. According to Isaac, many villagers had already left the village to look for works in another place.

The next stop was at Zhong Ka Kraoit Village where a new church is under construction. Here, we met with Rev. Moses Hahn who was busy supervising the construction. We also met with a team of students from KBS ministering to the children.

After about 6 hours on the road, the mission team finally arrived at the Life University at 4.30p.m.

April 4 – At Life University

While Rev. Colin Wong was teaching the Bible students of the Epistles of John, the rest of the team divided among ourselves to minister to the kindy/primary; secondary/high school and the university students respectively in devotions, English and Bible lessons.

April 5 – Kompong Son Bible School (KBS)

As Rev. Wong was scheduled to speak at the 5^th Graduation Service of KBS, the team also decided to spend the whole day at this station.

Elder Sng provided the invocation while Rev. Colin Wong spoke from the book of Nehemiah, challenging the graduating students to faithfulness and God-fearing. Altogether, there were 27 graduates – 23 with Diploma in Theology, 1 with Certificate of Biblical Study and 3 with Certificate of Religious Knowledge.

After the graduation service, we invited the Hahns out for lunch.

At KBS, we also had the opportunity to witness the Holy Matrimony of two students who had just graduated and attend their wedding dinner at one of the local restaurant.

In between the church service and dinner, the Hahns took the team to visit the Ottreth Church where a group of about 30 children had been gathered. Elder Sng spoke to them about Jesus love and taught them the song: “Jesus loves me this I know”.

The Ottreth village with about 100 odd families speaks of God’s special grace and love. The entire village obtained their plots of lands entirely free of charge. In their gratefulness, they also allotted one plot for the church. Praise the Lord!

April 6 – Visit to Phum Svay Church

Since the school was closed for 2 weeks, coinciding with the Khmer New Year, Rev. Koo had arranged for the team to visit the Phum Svay village where a church has been established.

While Rev. Colin Wong continued his course with the Bible students, the team together with Chiwan and 5 other kindy/primary teachers set out for the village at 8.30a.m.

This village used to be accessible only by boat in the past; but now, a road has been opened and the normal 3-hour journey is reduced by half.

Upon our arrival at the village church, a group of about 60 children and more than 50 adults were quickly gathered at two different locations. The children were gathered at the shack beside the kitchen while the adults were gathered inside the church hall.

Desmond told a bible story to the children and Elder Sng spoke to the adults on the Creator God.

While the children obviously enjoyed the story and were responsive, the adults proved difficult. After the message, we presented each adult with a packet of detergent.

The team then settled down to fellowship lunch before proceeding back to the school.

April 7 – Homeward Bound

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Koos and set off for Phnom Penh at around 9.00a.m. and thereon, to Singapore.

End of mission trip.

Concluding Remarks – Items for prayer

1. Rev. Koo would like to organize a combined church camp for members of all the various village churches. This would bring together some 300 members from age 20 and above. The total costs for this 3-nights-4-days event is about US$3,000 and he is asking for sponsor.
2. Rev. Hahn is asking for sponsor of about US$1,500 to relocate the existing shed in Ottreth Church into the plot of land given by the villages.

Reported by Francis Leong