For months, our team had been preparing for this mission long before we set foot in Cambodia. We started in February with prayer, planning, coordination and quiet behind-the-scenes work that led to a June mission trip that bore fruit in ways we did not imagine.
The team conducted medical clinics in three villages, caring for 492 patients over three days. While we remembered the call to “cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always”, a quote often attributed to ancient physician Hippocrates, the trip was much more than medicines, diagnoses and treatments. Every consultation, prayer and act of kindness was an opportunity to reflect the love of Jesus, the One who heals body, mind and soul.
MANY GIFTS, ONE BODY
The team members willingly gave of their time, energy and resources to bless those we met.
Doctors, medical students, pharmacists, nutritionists, prayer ministers, administrators, children’s ministry volunteers and youth served side by side. Some helped with prayer and spiritual encouragement, while others handled the consultations, triage, pharmacy, nutrition support and administration.
Trip leader Dr Caleb Seet provided steady leadership, helping the team navigate the medical, logistical and spiritual demands of the trip. He reflected that missions are “a direct reflection of love that came down.” Just as Jesus left the comfort of heaven to come near to us, missions call us to move beyond self-centred concerns and become “joyfully woven into the sacrificial mission of the King.”
The team did not always work at the same pace or approach problems in the same way. There were moments when we needed to be patient, flexible and resolve conflicts. Yet God used these differences to shape the team in humility and grace.
As Astelle Chew reflected, “God somehow used everyone in their roles perfectly.”
The team served through acts of service that were quiet and easily overlooked.
Doris Ang faithfully upheld the team and villagers in prayer. As Lynette Phay shared, “Prayer is key to hold the team together.” Prayer was not separate from the medical work; it carried the work, reminding the team that true healing and transformation ultimately come from God.
Astelle was a steady and nurturing presence behind the scenes, helping with the many detailed and unseen tasks that kept the mission moving. Lynette and Kethleen Loh used their pharmacy experience to guide volunteers patiently and clearly, helping those without pharmaceutical backgrounds serve safely and confidently. When circumstances became unpredictable, they remained calm and trusted God.
Just as Jesus left the comfort of heaven to come near to us, missions call us to move beyond self-centred concerns and become “joyfully woven into the sacrificial mission of the King.” – Trip leader Dr Caleb Seet
Karin Tan used her expertise as a nutritionist to secure generous donations of supplements for villagers who lacked access to adequate nutrition.
Paediatrician Dr Wong Jia Min, retired general practitioner Dr Hsu Hwei Fong and medical officer Dr Natasha Lim cared for patients with compassion, while medical students Joanne Koy and Natalie Lim willingly served wherever help was needed, including in triage and pharmacy.
Retiree Daisy Yeo remained active and attentive, helping to collect donated toys for the village children. Her service was a reminder that age does not limit a person’s usefulness in God’s kingdom.
As she put it simply, “There is a role for all willing to do God’s work in medical mission.”
SHOWING CHILDREN THE LOVE OF JESUS
The activities for children brought joy to the villages.
(Right) Children receiving ice cream sticks bearing the simple Khmer message, “Jesus Loves You”, after completing their scratch-art colouring cards.
Kwah Hwee Choo began preparing with limited manpower and many unanswered questions. Depending on the Lord for creativity and strength, she hand-drew around 200 colouring scratch cards that carried the simple Khmer message, “Jesus loves you.”
When the children took part in the colouring and play activities and were given personal attention, they were reminded that they were seen and treasured by Him.
(Right) Passing on donated pre-loved toys to children at the church
Uncle Paul Koh, the oldest member of the team and a former magician, delighted both children and adults with a rope trick involving three ropes of unequal lengths that appeared to become equal, illustrating how God loves every person equally.
Samuel Yong, a youth volunteer, also stepped forward to support Uncle Paul and assist with the children’s activities. His willingness showed how God can bring together the energy of youth and the experience of older generations in one shared ministry.
DEPENDING ON GOD THROUGH CHALLENGES
The mission was physically and emotionally demanding. Days were long, manpower was sometimes stretched and plans did not always unfold as expected.
Yet these challenges reminded the team that missions require more than competence. They require endurance, prayer and dependence on God.
“Even when things don’t go according to our plans, God is in control!” Kethleen reflected.
Some of the most moving encounters took place at the prayer station. The team prayed with a woman living with epilepsy. She was deeply touched by the act of prayer, and we hope that God will work in her through that experience.
At Kulen Mountain, an elderly woman who was experiencing confusion and sleeplessness welcomed prayer and expressed a desire to receive Jesus into her heart.
These encounters reminded us that medicine plays an important role in caring for people, but there are also needs of the heart and spirit that medicine alone cannot meet.
Across the three days, 39 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ.
The team could offer care, prayer and the message of the gospel but it was the Holy Spirit who prepared hearts and brought conviction. We were only joining a work that God was already doing in Siem Reap.
LOCAL PARTNERS, LASTING FRUIT
The team also worked with Cambodian doctors, medical students, translators, pastors and volunteers. They were essential co-labourers, bringing language ability, cultural understanding and medical knowledge that enabled villagers to be heard and cared for more personally.
The partnership also reflected an important truth about missions: visiting teams come and go, but the local church remains. Each medical consultation and prayer is a bridge to grow relationships.
As Astelle prayed, “May the seeds planted continue to take root and grow.”
The team may never see the full harvest, but missions are not about accomplishing everything in a few days. They are about being faithful in sowing, serving and trusting God to bring growth.
May we continue to lift up Jesus in medical missions, believing His words in John 12:32: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.”
May He draw many more to Himself in Cambodia, strengthen His Church and stir His people to join His ongoing work of healing, discipleship and restoration.
The team could offer care, prayer and the message of the gospel but it was the Holy Spirit who prepared hearts and brought conviction. We were only joining a work that God was already doing in Siem Reap.
PRAYER NEEDS
As we give thanks for all that God has done through the trip, let us continue to uphold the people, ministry partners and future teams in prayer. Please pray for:
- The villagers who received medical care, that they will continue to experience healing, strength and God’s love.
- Those who responded for salvation at the prayer station, for them to open their hearts to Jesus and for their faith to continue to grow.
- The local pastors, translators, doctors, pharmacists and village helpers who served alongside the team.
- The local Siem Reap team and the translators, that God will strengthen them and provide better rest arrangements for future ministry.
- The children who attended the children’s ministry, that the seeds of God’s love planted in their hearts will continue to grow.
- Wisdom in planning future trips, especially in the areas of emergency response, accommodation, meal budgeting and ministry coordination.
- Future mission teams to be well prepared spiritually, physically and logistically to serve the people well.
(Photos courtesy of Wesley Missions)
Read also: Building More than a Church: What Takhro Taught us about Missions
