Suers-dei! My Maiden Mission Trip to Cambodia

Editor’s Note

As the Missions ministry prepares for their Chiang Rai trip this March, we look back on our Cambodia mission last year, recalling the lessons learned and the blessings shared.

“Suers -dei!” 

This Khmer greeting, meaning “hello,” was the first word I learned when I stepped into Phnom Penh for my maiden mission trip from 4 to 7 November 2025. It became more than just a polite phrase—it was a doorway into a new culture, a new fellowship, and a new understanding of God’s work beyond Singapore.

As Church School Superintendent, I was privileged to journey with our mission team to Phum Chress Methodist Church, our sister church in Cambodia, and to the Cosi Children’s Home. My role was to share insights from our established children’s ministry in Singapore, to help Chress Methodist Church leadership envision their own mission for nurturing the next generation.

Alongside this, we brought our Vacation Bible School (VBS) camp experience and conducted a two‑day program for 42 children at Cosi. It was a packed schedule, but one filled with joy, discovery, and the unmistakable presence of God.

From Hardware to Heart‑ware

Coming from a developed country like Singapore, where we often pride ourselves on our structure, resources, and efficiency—the “hardware”—I thought my contribution would be to share the framework, processes, and “strategies” behind CCMC’s Covenant Kids ministry. And often we measure success by well‑designed programs, polished materials, and organised schedules.

But the Lord had a different lesson for me.

What He showed me in Cambodia was not the strength of hardware, but the beauty of “heartware”. At Chress Methodist Church, I met young leaders who, though lacking resources, overflowed with humility and a pure desire to serve.

At Cosi Children’s Home, I encountered children whose simple and sincere faith radiated joy. Their response to the love of Jesus Christ was unpretentious, uncalculated, and deeply moving.

They reminded me that what matters most is not what we have, but the condition of our heart.

The Children of Cosi

The two days at Cosi Children’s Home were unforgettable. Forty‑two children eagerly gathered  for the VBS camp, their faces lit with anticipation. They sang with gusto, listened intently to Bible stories, and participated wholeheartedly in games and crafts. There was no distraction by gadgets or complaints about facilities—just a pure delight in learning about Jesus.

(Caveat: Although I was not present with the Cosi VBS team as I was with another team running the leadership development for Chress Methodist Church, I shared this experience vicariously through the videos and pictures sent by the Cosi VBS team daily.)

The Leaders of Chress Methodist Church

Equally inspiring were the young leaders at Chress Methodist Church. They welcomed us warmly, eager to learn and grow.

As I shared about our processes in Singapore—how we plan lessons, train teachers, and organise camps—I realised that their greatest strength was not in adopting our methods but in their willingness to serve with humility.

Their faith was not complicated by structures; it was anchored in love for Christ and His people.

In conversations with them, I sensed a hunger to build a ministry that was authentic to their context. They did not ask for more equipment or elaborate programs. Instead, they sought encouragement, guidance, and prayer. Their posture reminded me that leadership in ministry is not about resources but about reliance on God.

Lessons for My Own Ministry

This trip served as a reflection of my own ministry in Singapore. We often measure success by excellence, efficiency, and innovation. These are good and necessary, but they are not the core. Cambodia reminded me that the true foundation of ministry is the heart—hearts that are pure, steadfast, and surrendered to God.

Psalm 51:10 became my anchor during the trip. It is a prayer not for better programs but for renewed hearts. It is a reminder that God values sincerity over sophistication, humility over hierarchy, and faith over formality. I believe the children and young leaders I met in Cambodia live this truth – they trust God with pure hearts, not polished programs.

As I return to Singapore, I carry this lesson with me: to ensure that our “hardware” never overshadows our “heart‑ware.” Beyond the ministry itself, the four days in Cambodia were also marked by a joyful, loving bond with my fellow mission trippers—a fellowship that deepened our faith and strengthened our unity in Christ.

About The Author

Siew Lin is a member of CCMC. She is married to Eddie Chau and they have two grown adult children. She currently serves as CCMC’s Church School Superintendent and leads our Covenant Kids ministry.

---

The above mission trip was organised by CCMC’s Missions Team, with the blessing and knowledge of Methodist Missions Society (MMS). COSI and Chress Memorial Church fall under the oversight of MMS. To learn more about the work of MMS, please click here.

Interested to serve in CCMC’s Missions team? Email admin@ccmc.org.sg