God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
My son and I returned from our short-term mission trip to Cambodia in July with many lifelong memories. We went thinking we were there to serve and share God’s love, but God had prepared something much deeper for us. He used the people and churches in Cambodia to bless us, teach us, open our eyes, and most importantly, change our hearts and strengthen our faith.
I’m so grateful to World Impact and CityLife Church for giving us the opportunity to experience God’s glory in a very personal way.
One of the most beautiful parts of the trip was the fellowship among our brothers and sisters. We travelled, served, ate, prayed, worshipped and encouraged one another. Those precious moments built such a strong sense of unity. We weren’t just a group travelling together, we truly experienced what it means to be one family in Christ.
When we visited the churches in the provinces, I was deeply touched by the pastors and their staff, especially Pastor Pana and his wife Rhatana in Steung Saen. Despite limited resources and many struggles, their passion for serving God and their faith remained strong. Their lives challenged me to ask: Do I trust God only when things are comfortable, or will I continue to trust Him when I cannot see the way forward? Their testimony reminded me that God must always come first.
Visiting families in the provinces made the mission even more personal. I saw people facing sickness, poverty, brokenness and hopelessness. I realised they were thirsty not only for food or material things, but for hope, love, healing and someone to remind them that their lives still have purpose.
One moment that really challenged my faith was when I stepped out to pray for healing. Honestly, I was afraid because I didn’t know what would happen. But as I prayed, the Holy Spirit reminded me of God’s faithfulness in my own life—how He had carried me through my own journey, healed me from cancer, and placed people around me who prayed for and supported me. I thought, If God has been faithful to me, why should I be afraid to step out and pray for someone else?
I realised that faith is not just something we talk about. Sometimes faith means stepping out before we feel ready and simply trusting God.
During those ten days, my perspective on my own worries also changed. We can spend so much time worrying about work, finances, plans and the future. But when I saw what some families in Cambodia were facing, I realised how easily our worries can become bigger than they should when we forget how good God has already been to us.
For those ten days, we didn’t need much. We simply needed God. And He provided everything we needed, the strength, wisdom, faith, good weather, the right words and the courage to step out in faith. He was with us every step of the way. Praise the Lord!
What surprised me most was that the mission didn’t end when we returned to Melbourne. The mission came home with us. Even my son became more grateful for the life he has. After seeing how other children live, he began looking at his own life differently. He told me he would love to go back to Cambodia one day, to serve and to give. Praise the Lord!
I also came home more thankful, for my family, my home, our food, our health, the opportunities we have, and even the freedom we have to worship God.
Cambodia trip gave me a different understanding of mission. Mission is not only about going somewhere far away. Mission is about carrying Jesus wherever God has placed us.
Every Christian can pray for someone. We don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers. We simply need to focus on Jesus, be willing, and trust Him. God doesn’t ask us to have everything fully ready. He asks us to be willing ~ to go, to serve, to pray, to step out in faith and to love His people.
We planted some seeds in Cambodia, and now we trust God to continue the work. He is the One who makes those seeds grow.
I’m so grateful for those ten days, not only for what we were able to do, but for what God did in us. We went to Cambodia thinking we were going to bless others. But in the end, God blessed us even more.
Hallelujah!