For many parents, committing to a week-long overseas mission trip can feel daunting. Between school schedules, work demands and family logistics, saying “yes” may seem unrealistic. Yet two Wesley families chose to step out in faith, bringing their children along on a medical missions trip to Cambodia from 29 January to 2 February 2026—an experience where family, service and faith intersected meaningfully.
Organised in partnership with a local church, the trip brought together 19 Wesley volunteers, including doctors, a dentist, lawyers, teachers, teenagers and other professionals. The team served two rural villages and a refugee camp near Siem Reap, setting up temporary medical clinics, conducting health screenings, running children’s programmes and sharing the hope of the gospel.
In this feature, we highlight the experiences of these two families. Drs Sheldon and Edelweis Lee reflect on the joy of serving alongside their teenage children at medical clinics for displaced families living in tents within a pagoda compound. Dr Grace Kwan shares about learning to trust God during seasons when family life feels stretched. Together, their stories testify to how stepping out in obedience allows God to work not only in the mission field but also deeply within the family.
BUSY PARENTS, BUT “YES” TO MISSIONS
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37–38). This verse has long reminded us that while many are waiting to hear the Good News, there are often too few willing to go. Yet for families with children, saying “yes” to missions can feel like an impossible mountain to climb.
Before marriage, we each went on mission trips individually. After marriage, we continued serving together and even after becoming parents, we chose not to stop. Still, fitting missions into family life has not always been easy, particularly when our children were younger. As medical professionals, we often serve on medical and dental mission trips which require significant preparation, planning and precious time away from home.
Our children, Shannon,14, and Evan,15, are currently typical teenagers who relish their independence and often view us as “boring old folks”. Yet we believe in bringing them along because the mission field is where faith becomes sight. It was a minor miracle to see them consent to this trip without a single complaint. While we as parents fretted over the conditions in Cambodia, our children remained “chill”, reminding us that God was in absolute control.
“While we as parents fretted over the conditions in Cambodia, our children remained “chill”, reminding us that God was in absolute control.”
Going to Cambodia was our third mission trip as a family, following trips to Nepal and Thailand. Yet the anxieties remained. Due to tensions at the Thai–Cambodian border, our trip confirmation was delayed. We worried about safety, sanitation and exposure to disease, especially since we would be setting up a medical clinic at a refugee camp for displaced families. While we were understandably anxious, our children surprised us with their quiet confidence.
During the trip, our team of 19, ranging from teenagers to those in their seventies, served in two villages and a camp for displaced people. Our children witnessed heartbreaking living conditions, such as families living in makeshift tents. They saw patients suffering from severe illnesses where medical help reached its limit and prayer became our greatest offering.
Shannon and Evan helped with triage, eyesight checks and the pharmacy, playing alongside children whose lives were vastly different from their own. They saw joy, resilience and faith amidst hardship. The impact on them has been profound. We noticed shifts in their attitudes, a growing awareness of others and a newfound willingness to serve.
“The impact on them (our children) has been profound. We noticed shifts in their attitudes, a growing awareness of others and a newfound willingness to serve.”
While there will always be apprehension, we would say “yes” again in a heartbeat. To other families considering missions, take the leap of faith. Serve together. You may be surprised by how God works, not only in the mission field, but within the walls of your own home.
“Serve together. You may be surprised by how God works, not only in the mission field, but within the walls of your own home.”
Article Contributors: Drs Sheldon and Edelweis Lee
HE GOES BEFORE US
When we worry about schedules, safety or whether our children are ready, Scripture reminds us of something steady and unchanging: God goes before us.
Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us that “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
For my son Alex and me, visiting a refugee camp felt like stepping into unknown territory: different living conditions, unfamiliar systems and tight itineraries layered on top of already full calendars back home. As parents, our minds ran ahead of us: Will the children cope? Will they fall sick? Are we stretching them too much?
It felt like scouting uncertain ground. But we were never the first to arrive.
God is already there, before the plane takes off, before the fear rises and before the schedule begins to unravel. He is present in the people we meet, in the dusty roads and in the quiet prayers whispered under our breath. The place that feels unfamiliar to us is not unfamiliar to Him. We do not go as heroes; we go as followers.
The reassurance continues in the Psalms as He assures us: “The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7–8).
“Coming and going” took on a new meaning in our mission trip to Cambodia.
It covered our airport departures in the early hours, the packing lists squeezed between work and school commitments and the long days on the field. As for our homecomings, we returned to Singapore tired but reflective and changed in our perspectives about material comfort and most of all, the meaning of sharing and loving our neighbours. God watches over every aspect of our mission trip, not only the visible ministry moments but also the quiet family ones: the child who feels unsure, the parent who silently prays for protection and the fatigue that settles in by the third day.
So, to families who may be hesitating, if you are waiting for the “perfect” season, it may never come. There will always be school commitments, work pressures and financial considerations. But there will also always be a God who goes before you.
“So, to families who may be hesitating, if you are waiting for the “perfect” season, it may never come… But there will also always be a God who goes before you.”
We may feel busy, stretched or uncertain, but we are never alone. The Lord Himself establishes our steps. And sometimes, the most transformative journeys for a family begin with a simple, trembling, obedient “yes”.
Article Contributor: Dr Grace Kwan
Might This Be Your Family’s Turn to Say “Yes”?
Are you feeling the nudge to serve beyond our shores? Whether you have medical skills to offer, a heart for children’s ministry or simply a willing spirit, there is a place for your family in the harvest field. You do not have to go alone, you go as part of a 141-year legacy of Wesleyans who have found that God is already there, waiting for us.
Discover our upcoming opportunities:
- Visit: Wesley Methodist Church — Missions
- Connect: To find out about upcoming trips or how to support our mission partners, reach out to the team at missions@wesleymc.org
“He watches over our coming and going, both now and forevermore.” — Psalm 121:8
(Photos courtesy of Drs Sheldon & Edelweis Lee and Dr Grace Kwan)
Read also: Siem Reap: Serving in Uncertain Times, Trusting a Certain God
