We are excited to send a team on a vision trip to Cambodia this summer. They are a part of a larger group that has been meeting and praying for the past nine months about what their role might be in going and making disciples in another country. Check out the videos below to hear Pastor Matt share about Davisville’s history with Cambodia missions, and some of the team members share about taking steps of obedience to follow God’s call.
Read Below for Updates on their Trip
Read Below for Updates on their Trip
Cambodia Team Update 9 (Final):
Here’s the team’s last update for the last leg of the trip!
Here’s the team’s last update for the last leg of the trip!
On Saturday the team along with the Plas Prai staff and students headed out to Tbeng Mountain! We climbed over 1000 steps and then hiked about 2 miles to a waterfall! There we got to eat lunch, play in the water, and fellowship with one another! It was SO fun and definitely a highlight for the students and us! Thank you Jesus for able bodies and sustaining us!
After the waterfall hike, we got ready for Family Night at the Plas Prai! Every Saturday night, the Plas Prai staff and students host an outreach night and have a featured speaker. This week’s speaker was our very own, Cameron! He shared from the book of Daniel about our one true God who is worthy of our trust.
Family Night was followed by the Sunday School appreciation night. The seven Sunday School location hosts were recognized and given a gift for their hospitality and generosity. We enjoyed a traditional curry noodle dinner and followed it up with cake. Then we spent the rest of the night dancing and having fun with the students!!
After our long hike and celebration the night before, we had our earliest morning of the trip! On Sunday, our group participated in the Sunday School ministry. We were dispersed among three of the Sunday School groups. We participated in the games, songs, and story telling! It was such an amazing opportunity to see first hand the Plas Prai staff and students taking the lead in this ministry and using the training they had earlier in the week! It was so special for Eric to be in the same group as his sponsor student, Pahnavain, and watch him teach and lead with such excitement for the Lord!
After Sunday School, we had lunch at Joel’s house. Soukhourn and his wife, who are YWAM staff that work alongside the Gabriels, joined us, and we heard about their vision for ministry in the new building! We were able to see the progress and pray over the land!
Afterwards we headed to Ratana’s house. Ratana is an elder at CCH church (the first World Team church plant) who comes alongside the Gabriels and Joel in ministry. He hosts the Plas Prai students in his home often and helps out with Sunday School in Okak village. He shared his testimony with us and sang us a song in Kui (a language that only a few know to speak) and Khmer! We were so grateful to spend time with Ratana and for his hospitality!
We had some down time and then headed to CCH for evening service. AnnaMaria shared a message on being a true disciple of Jesus, and Jen shared her testimony! It was such a privilege to be worshipping alongside the Khmer! We saw how the church looks different and that’s ok!!
We ended our night at a noodle restaurant with the Gabriels, Joel, Sina, and her sister Lida. It was a full but exciting day!
On Monday, we said our final goodbyes and hit the road by 8:30am, accompanied by Jim. We headed back to Phnom Penh. After lunch at a coffee shop, our team split into 2 groups. Half of us visited a market to shop for souvenirs, and the other half went to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Though it was really hard to hear and see the history, we are so grateful to have gained a deeper understanding of the genocide that many Cambodians still remember.
We then headed to the river front to enjoy some walking and scenery and ended the night with pizza and Dairy Queen!!
As we are preparing to depart, please pray for safe travels, time of rest and retreat with the Lord, ears to hear His voice, and obedience to His call!
Thank you for keeping up with our updates and praying for us! We are so grateful to have the body of the church coming alongside us!
Cambodia Team Update 8:
What a full, exciting day!
One part of our group alongside 4 Plas Prai students, Soksan, and Dannet went to a village where several Plas Prai students are from. A previous Plas Prai student, Sophea, hosted us in her home. We had the opportunity to share a meal with Sophea’s family and were joined by Somphor’s mom, Pahnavoin and Pahnavet’s mom, and a few other neighbors, most of whom are not yet believers. We had a time of worship and prayer and listened to several testimonies. Sophea shared her testimony and soon she will be heading back to Battambang to further her ministry training. After leaving the first house, we went to another student's home. We visited there for a while and got to know her and her family. Shes lives on the same property as her aunt and uncle and they work in the rice fields. The third home we visited was the most sad to see. It was very dilapidated and leaning. There was flooding on the property, holes in the floors and in the tin roof. The mother didn’t currently live there because she goes out to find work for a few months at a time. The student does not like to stay there especially during rainy season.
The rest of the group went to the Sanlong Chey village where Sophoeurt, a volunteer at Plais Prai, and her brother Panha, a student at Plais Prai, are from. We had lunch at their house and spent time with the community of believers there. We started with a time of worship, singing acapella in Khmer. After that our team had the opportunity to share some scripture and encouragement, along with a few testimonies. Many of the Khmer shared their testomines as well. When Sophoeurt first came to Plais Prai there were no believers in her village, but thanks to her there is now a growing church and many people have come to know the Lord through her!
After our drive back, we met up with the Plas Prai students and leaders to go over what the Sunday school outreach will look like onselves Sunday. We practiced songs, the lesson and introduced them to a new game. We all ate dinner together and then it was Bible study time. Following that was some fun dancing! It was a blessed and full day!
What a full, exciting day!
One part of our group alongside 4 Plas Prai students, Soksan, and Dannet went to a village where several Plas Prai students are from. A previous Plas Prai student, Sophea, hosted us in her home. We had the opportunity to share a meal with Sophea’s family and were joined by Somphor’s mom, Pahnavoin and Pahnavet’s mom, and a few other neighbors, most of whom are not yet believers. We had a time of worship and prayer and listened to several testimonies. Sophea shared her testimony and soon she will be heading back to Battambang to further her ministry training. After leaving the first house, we went to another student's home. We visited there for a while and got to know her and her family. Shes lives on the same property as her aunt and uncle and they work in the rice fields. The third home we visited was the most sad to see. It was very dilapidated and leaning. There was flooding on the property, holes in the floors and in the tin roof. The mother didn’t currently live there because she goes out to find work for a few months at a time. The student does not like to stay there especially during rainy season.
The rest of the group went to the Sanlong Chey village where Sophoeurt, a volunteer at Plais Prai, and her brother Panha, a student at Plais Prai, are from. We had lunch at their house and spent time with the community of believers there. We started with a time of worship, singing acapella in Khmer. After that our team had the opportunity to share some scripture and encouragement, along with a few testimonies. Many of the Khmer shared their testomines as well. When Sophoeurt first came to Plais Prai there were no believers in her village, but thanks to her there is now a growing church and many people have come to know the Lord through her!
After our drive back, we met up with the Plas Prai students and leaders to go over what the Sunday school outreach will look like onselves Sunday. We practiced songs, the lesson and introduced them to a new game. We all ate dinner together and then it was Bible study time. Following that was some fun dancing! It was a blessed and full day!
Cambodia Team Update 7:
Another day, another breakfast and devotional time as Another day, another breakfast and devotional time as a team! What a blessing our mornings have been together as a team!
After breakfast, we made our way to Plas Prai to take part in the Plais Prai staff’s meeting to prepare for their Sunday School outreaches. Currently, there are 8 Sunday school locations! Two locations have been added over the last 2 years, praise God! They meet together on Thursday mornings to debrief the previous Sunday and review the lesson plan for the upcoming Sunday. They discuss a Bible passage, memory verse, select songs and a game, and pray together! Currently they are using the Samaritan’s Purse book that came alongside the Operation Christmas Child boxes! All of it is done by the Khmer staff, led by Daneth (a former Plas Prai student and the youngest staff member!). The Plas Prai students are assigned a group to help out on Sundays. On Friday, the staff will meet with the Plas Prai students to help them prepare for their roles in the outreach.
Maria was able to see her sponsor student, Leakna, again! She first met her sponsor student two years ago when she visited Cambodia with the youth/young adult team!
AnnaMaria and Matt were able to meet their sponsor students, Somphors!
For lunch, we went to Joel’s house and had a wonderful time of fellowship, eating together, puppy and kitten cuddles, and listening to Joel share his journey to serving in Cambodia. After, we had some time of sharing from Jim, Carolyn, Chelsea, and Joel about the joys and sorrows of serving as a missionary. It was really helpful to hear the balance of positive and negative from the seasoned missionaries’ perspective of being on the field in Cambodia.
We had the opportunity to see the site of the new community center the team is building behind Joel’s home!
Yesterday and today, we each had the opportunity to have 1:1 time with the missionary of our choice and talk about different things on our hearts.
For dinner, we ate at the cafe by our hotel and did debrief as a team!
The Plas Prai students were heading to play soccer at a nearby field, and as a team we joined them. It was so fun to play with the students!
Please pray for:
the Plas Prai staff and students as they prepare for Sunday school.
Our team as we head out to villages tomorrow
For our team member, Stephen, sharing a message at Family night tomorrow night!
For the building of the new community center! For unity as decisions are made, efficient work, and strength and endurance for the workers. a team! What a blessing our mornings have been together as a team!
After breakfast, we made our way to Plas Prai to take part in the Plais Prai staff’s meeting to prepare for their Sunday School outreaches. Currently, there are 8 Sunday school locations! Two locations have been added over the last 2 years, praise God! They meet together on Thursday mornings to debrief the previous Sunday and review the lesson plan for the upcoming Sunday. They discuss a Bible passage, memory verse, select songs and a game, and pray together! Currently they are using the Samaritan’s Purse book that came alongside the Operation Christmas Child boxes! All of it is done by the Khmer staff, led by Daneth (a former Plas Prai student and the youngest staff member!). The Plas Prai students are assigned a group to help out on Sundays. On Friday, the staff will meet with the Plas Prai students to help them prepare for their roles in the outreach.
Maria was able to see her sponsor student, Leakna, again! She first met her sponsor student two years ago when she visited Cambodia with the youth/young adult team!
AnnaMaria and Matt were able to meet their sponsor students, Somphors!
For lunch, we went to Joel’s house and had a wonderful time of fellowship, eating together, puppy and kitten cuddles, and listening to Joel share his journey to serving in Cambodia. After, we had some time of sharing from Jim, Carolyn, Chelsea, and Joel about the joys and sorrows of serving as a missionary. It was really helpful to hear the balance of positive and negative from the seasoned missionaries’ perspective of being on the field in Cambodia.
We had the opportunity to see the site of the new community center the team is building behind Joel’s home!
Yesterday and today, we each had the opportunity to have 1:1 time with the missionary of our choice and talk about different things on our hearts.
For dinner, we ate at the cafe by our hotel and did debrief as a team!
The Plas Prai students were heading to play soccer at a nearby field, and as a team we joined them. It was so fun to play with the students!
Please pray for:
the Plas Prai staff and students as they prepare for Sunday school.
Our team as we head out to villages tomorrow
For our team member, Stephen, sharing a message at Family night tomorrow night!
For the building of the new community center! For unity as decisions are made, efficient work, and strength and endurance for the workers.
Cambodia Team Update 6:
Today our team met with Joel Stewart and three staff members, Pierot, SK, and Soksan, who are passionate about using audio visual to share the gospel. It was such an encouragement to hear from each of them and how they have a vision for what could be done to reach the Khmer people. We were also able to watch a few of the videos they had made that advertised a few different events.
For lunch we went to the foot of the mountain and ate with the Plais Prai leaders and volunteers. We had so much fun swimming and playing games with them. For dinner we ate at the Gabriels home and learned more about World Team, their vision for the ministry and they elaborated on the different needs and even dreams that they have for this ministry.
Prayer requests:
For Pierot to continue to have a vision for ministry that is consistent with the Gospel, to be helpful and effective, and for God’s provision.
For the 10 day AV training that he will attend in Phnom Penh next month.
For SK, for equipment (ex: desktop monitor, microphones, camera, etc) to be provided so they can do their work effectively.
For Soksan, to persevere in Discipleship Training School and guidance from the Lord where to serve after.
More workers to come serve at Plais Prai in various capacities.
Team Update Update 5:
Our first full day in PV!
After enjoying breakfast and devotion time at the guesthouse restaurant, our team split into 2 groups.
One group (including Linda, Jen, Stephen, Matt, Cameron, and Eric) alongside Carolyn Gabriels and Joel Stewart stayed for the morning and lunch at Plais Prais to take a tour and hear all about the history of the ministry and what is going on currently. We were able to sit and meet all of the staff. It was wonderful to get to know them and hear their coming to faith stories and how God led them to Plas Prai. Eric had a really sweet meeting with his sponsored student. We were all in tears watching that young man embrace Eric and show his gratitude.
During lunch, we sat with the students and were able to get to know some of them.
After lunch, we headed out to a nearby village to meet with 4 amazing women who are sacrificially giving of their time and energy to go to nearby villages and share the gospel. One woman is helping with a small church, one woman is doing children’s ministry. Each day, these women wake up, make food, go work in the fields with their families and then go home and make food again before heading out for ministry. When we asked how we could pray for them, they all asked for strength.
Another group (including Chelsea, Michelle, Winston, Maria, and AnnaMaria) alongside Jim Gabriels and Soksan, headed out to Kulen district, to a village named Kdak. There, we had the opportunity to interact with alumni of the PV School of Applied Ministry (PVSAM) and their families and neighbors. We learned about what God is doing in their lives, their daily challenges, how their church is growing, and heard many testimonies! We had lunch together and were able to ask some deep questions to the leaders of that home church, and they did not shy away from answering! We then had the opportunity to share our testimonies and answered some questions. They had some great questions for us, like “what vision do you have for the Gospel in Cambodia?” The purpose of this trip was to encourage and spur on the church in Kdak, but we left feeling like they encouraged and spurred us on! We were so uplifted by their passion for seeing the Gospel spread! Praise God for what He is doing through PVSAM and these alumni students!
After a bumpy ride, dirt filled clothes, and full hearts, we cleaned ourselves up and headed to the local hospital. There our group prayed for the family of a PVSAM alumni, Map. The family has been in the hospital for 4 nights - two of their children having Dengue fever and their third being sick but unsure of the cause.
For dinner, we ate with the staff and volunteers at Plas Prai and were able to really just spend time getting to know them more. It’s been such an encouragement to see their commitment to the Lord despite most of them not having supportive family.
We are so grateful for your prayers for us! We are being sustained well each day!
Prayer requests:
The need for strong godly men to volunteer and work at Plas Prai.
The 4 village women as they continue to minister.
Strength for our missionaries and for God’s provision to raise up more workers.
Three team members, Stephen, AnnaMaria, and Cameron, who are preparing to share messages at the end of the week
Our first full day in PV!
After enjoying breakfast and devotion time at the guesthouse restaurant, our team split into 2 groups.
One group (including Linda, Jen, Stephen, Matt, Cameron, and Eric) alongside Carolyn Gabriels and Joel Stewart stayed for the morning and lunch at Plais Prais to take a tour and hear all about the history of the ministry and what is going on currently. We were able to sit and meet all of the staff. It was wonderful to get to know them and hear their coming to faith stories and how God led them to Plas Prai. Eric had a really sweet meeting with his sponsored student. We were all in tears watching that young man embrace Eric and show his gratitude.
During lunch, we sat with the students and were able to get to know some of them.
After lunch, we headed out to a nearby village to meet with 4 amazing women who are sacrificially giving of their time and energy to go to nearby villages and share the gospel. One woman is helping with a small church, one woman is doing children’s ministry. Each day, these women wake up, make food, go work in the fields with their families and then go home and make food again before heading out for ministry. When we asked how we could pray for them, they all asked for strength.
Another group (including Chelsea, Michelle, Winston, Maria, and AnnaMaria) alongside Jim Gabriels and Soksan, headed out to Kulen district, to a village named Kdak. There, we had the opportunity to interact with alumni of the PV School of Applied Ministry (PVSAM) and their families and neighbors. We learned about what God is doing in their lives, their daily challenges, how their church is growing, and heard many testimonies! We had lunch together and were able to ask some deep questions to the leaders of that home church, and they did not shy away from answering! We then had the opportunity to share our testimonies and answered some questions. They had some great questions for us, like “what vision do you have for the Gospel in Cambodia?” The purpose of this trip was to encourage and spur on the church in Kdak, but we left feeling like they encouraged and spurred us on! We were so uplifted by their passion for seeing the Gospel spread! Praise God for what He is doing through PVSAM and these alumni students!
After a bumpy ride, dirt filled clothes, and full hearts, we cleaned ourselves up and headed to the local hospital. There our group prayed for the family of a PVSAM alumni, Map. The family has been in the hospital for 4 nights - two of their children having Dengue fever and their third being sick but unsure of the cause.
For dinner, we ate with the staff and volunteers at Plas Prai and were able to really just spend time getting to know them more. It’s been such an encouragement to see their commitment to the Lord despite most of them not having supportive family.
We are so grateful for your prayers for us! We are being sustained well each day!
Prayer requests:
The need for strong godly men to volunteer and work at Plas Prai.
The 4 village women as they continue to minister.
Strength for our missionaries and for God’s provision to raise up more workers.
Three team members, Stephen, AnnaMaria, and Cameron, who are preparing to share messages at the end of the week
Team Update 4:
Today, we woke up early to head to our language class. While we battled traffic for 1.5 hours, we spent some time debriefing and doing devotionals as a team! We learned some Khmer basic words and phrases. Then, we rode tuk tuks to the market to practice what we learned! We had the chance to try some of the local foods and native fruits, like jack fruit, mangosteen, Dorian, etc.
After language learning, we ate lunch at an authentic Khmer noodle restaurant. We enjoyed noodle soups and dumplings!
Before leaving for Preah Vihear, we had some time with the Vosters before they fly back to the US!
We traveled 6 hours by van to PV. When we arrived, we had dinner at the Gabriels home with them, Joel, Sina, and some other Khmer staff.
After a long day, we enjoyed some needed rest!
Please pray for safe travels for the Voster's and quality time with their children while in the States. Pray for our time with the Gabriel's and Joel and continued good health and energy levels.
Today, we woke up early to head to our language class. While we battled traffic for 1.5 hours, we spent some time debriefing and doing devotionals as a team! We learned some Khmer basic words and phrases. Then, we rode tuk tuks to the market to practice what we learned! We had the chance to try some of the local foods and native fruits, like jack fruit, mangosteen, Dorian, etc.
After language learning, we ate lunch at an authentic Khmer noodle restaurant. We enjoyed noodle soups and dumplings!
Before leaving for Preah Vihear, we had some time with the Vosters before they fly back to the US!
We traveled 6 hours by van to PV. When we arrived, we had dinner at the Gabriels home with them, Joel, Sina, and some other Khmer staff.
After a long day, we enjoyed some needed rest!
Please pray for safe travels for the Voster's and quality time with their children while in the States. Pray for our time with the Gabriel's and Joel and continued good health and energy levels.
Team Update Day 2:
Day two started with our first team debrief and devotions! Then, we headed to Refuge for the Poor for church. We listened to a Khmer service and Eric shared a short message. For lunch, we were served a traditional Khmer curry dish, that is made only for special occasions (like Christmas!). We were able to tour the facility and interact with the students and staff! Their new building is under construction (which will serve as their new church facility and boys dorm).
We were able to visit a local wat (Buddhist temple). We learned a lot about the history and what the Khmer believe. It was neat to experience local culture and connect with students at Refuge for the Poor!
In order to better understand a missionaries life in Cambodia, we spent time in the Vosters for a time of fellowship and rest. From there, we visited a mall full of clothing shops, restaurants along with movie theatre, bowling alley, and a massive grocery store. Although a lot of what we’ve seen is poverty, there are certain pockets of wealth. We then followed up with Korean chicken for dinner. Our time with the Vosters has been very enlightening and has been amazing seeing how God has led and moved for them to serve in Phnom Penh.
Please pray for continued health and adequate energy levels, and safety for our trip to Preah Vihear!
Also for Refuge for the Poor pray for the construction of the new building, for the staff parent’s daughter, Ping Ping, who has been sick since birth, and wisdom in discipling the boys (1-2 are continuously in trouble at school).
Day two started with our first team debrief and devotions! Then, we headed to Refuge for the Poor for church. We listened to a Khmer service and Eric shared a short message. For lunch, we were served a traditional Khmer curry dish, that is made only for special occasions (like Christmas!). We were able to tour the facility and interact with the students and staff! Their new building is under construction (which will serve as their new church facility and boys dorm).
We were able to visit a local wat (Buddhist temple). We learned a lot about the history and what the Khmer believe. It was neat to experience local culture and connect with students at Refuge for the Poor!
In order to better understand a missionaries life in Cambodia, we spent time in the Vosters for a time of fellowship and rest. From there, we visited a mall full of clothing shops, restaurants along with movie theatre, bowling alley, and a massive grocery store. Although a lot of what we’ve seen is poverty, there are certain pockets of wealth. We then followed up with Korean chicken for dinner. Our time with the Vosters has been very enlightening and has been amazing seeing how God has led and moved for them to serve in Phnom Penh.
Please pray for continued health and adequate energy levels, and safety for our trip to Preah Vihear!
Also for Refuge for the Poor pray for the construction of the new building, for the staff parent’s daughter, Ping Ping, who has been sick since birth, and wisdom in discipling the boys (1-2 are continuously in trouble at school).
Team Update 2:
WE MADE IT!
After a long 24 hours, we hit the ground running. We checked into the place we are staying and headed to lunch with the Vosters. We had the opportunity to connect with the students in their dormitory ministry. We were able to hear how the ministry started and got a tour from their students of their dorm. We worshipped, played games, ate pizza (which the Khmer students were SO excited for), and connected with the students! After a long day, we were able to go to bed early and rest well for the next day!
Please pray for restful sleep, good energy levels, and our time connecting with Refuge for the Poor!
WE MADE IT!
After a long 24 hours, we hit the ground running. We checked into the place we are staying and headed to lunch with the Vosters. We had the opportunity to connect with the students in their dormitory ministry. We were able to hear how the ministry started and got a tour from their students of their dorm. We worshipped, played games, ate pizza (which the Khmer students were SO excited for), and connected with the students! After a long day, we were able to go to bed early and rest well for the next day!
Please pray for restful sleep, good energy levels, and our time connecting with Refuge for the Poor!
Team Update 0:
In case you missed the last few weeks, our Cambodia team is leaving late tonight. We are very excited to see God work in each of us on this trip!
We are so grateful for your prayers.
For the next 24 hours, please be praying for safety, good rest and health and opportunities for us to connect well as a team.
In case you missed the last few weeks, our Cambodia team is leaving late tonight. We are very excited to see God work in each of us on this trip!
We are so grateful for your prayers.
For the next 24 hours, please be praying for safety, good rest and health and opportunities for us to connect well as a team.
