Experiencing Mission Cambodia
The children planting seeds which have now sprouted and are growing!
Hello VR Family, Alyssa here!
After a year with Village Reach, it’s a true blessing to be here in Cambodia, one of our mission locations, experiencing firsthand the incredible impact of your support and generosity.
I came here on a Village Reach site visit with our cofounder Chase, but since my work is remote, I am able to stay and serve “boots on the ground” long term. God honored that decision and unveiled my deeper calling here—more on that later!
In this newsletter (which will also be saved as a blog post on our website), I want to share more about the experience of Mission: Cambodia because it’s like I’ve stepped inside the photos I’m always sharing with you and the faces we see through the screen are now in front of me - smiling, breathing, talking.
The people of Toch Village?
I am getting to know who they really are.
The team house we renovated?
I’ve called it home.
The church we made over?
I’ve worshipped there.
The mattresses we funded and installed?
I’ve slept on them.
The water filters?
They've kept me hydrated for the past two weeks.
The clinic?
It provided me with medicine when I caught a cold on day two of the trip.
The soccer tournament and 15th anniversary event?
I experienced all the action, front row!
The new classrooms?
I had the chance to witness the arrival of the musical instruments and laptops, the doors open to the students on their first day of classes, and even the opportunity to facilitate a training for the YDC staff in the new classrooms!
The night of the 15th anniversary celebration
For the next three months, the vibrant province of Kampot will be my home, and living here has brought to life God's love for Toch village in ways I could never have fully understood from afar.
I’m thrilled to be getting to know the people of Toch Village better and experience firsthand God’s provision here. Also to offer you, our VR family, a deeper look into the impact of your gracious donations, prayers, and support.
Sustaining Projects that Continue to Support the Ministry
The team house we renovated has truly become a place of ministry and community. I’ve witnessed YWAM teams from Mexico and South Africa stay there, leading prayer circles, Bible studies, and worship. They were amazed by the comfort of the mattresses—what a blessing it is to provide such a simple yet meaningful gift! Especially since, with every waking hour these teams are out there pouring their hearts out through activities for the kids like feeding programs, gardening projects, games, songs, dances, skits, and so much more! We’re glad they can start and finish the day in a space that is freshly tiled, painted, and modernized with fans, western toilets, and appliances.
Christian workers from Village Reach, Youth with a Mission, and Youth Development Center teaching the kids about the Holy Spirit through gardening
I’ve also witnessed the daily impact of the water filters we installed. The jugs are filled and set out daily to encourage everyone to use reusable bottles. Single-use bottles are reserved for special events, and it’s been a joy to see people staying hydrated with clean water while also caring for their local environment.
The clinic and pharmacy in front of Dreamer Vuthy’s house is a constant source of care for the community. Nurse Connie, Vuthy’s wife, is nearly always there, serving the sick and offering support. When I caught a cold on my second day here, she quickly provided medicine that helped me recover. I’m convinced the advice and medicine she supplied kept my cold from becoming bronchitis or pneumonia like it did on my last mission trip to Mexico. It’s a blessing to see her dedication firsthand, and it’s a reminder of the deep impact that health initiatives like these have on the lives of the people in the village.
The soccer tournament and 15th-anniversary celebration were unforgettable! The whole community gathered around the field, cheering on the kids in their uniforms. The YDC team took home the trophy, but it was the spirit of sportsmanship that stood out the most—athletes helping each other up after falls, stretching their opponents’ legs, and offering encouragement. Most beautiful of all? Twenty people accepted Jesus during the event!
A YDC player gives the “captain” armband to his teammate during the switch of the captains
Young soccer fans and players watching the tournament
The Classroom Project: Music and Computers
Kids playing the new guitars, drums, and keyboards with teacher Dara (center)
A major highlight of my time here has been seeing the new music and computer classrooms come to life, building on the three classrooms we already completed. These two new classrooms are the next step in our efforts to help fulfill Vuthy’s God-given vision of a thriving school and community transformed by and for Jesus.
With the music room, the students gathered around the windows, eagerly peeking inside, while the new guitars, keyboards, and drums arrived. Each student spent time in prayer before choosing which instrument they felt called to learn. It was such a blessing to sit in on Dara’s first class to see what a thoughtful, intentional, and hands-on teacher he really is!
I’ve seen them use the laptops you provided in their evening classes, gaining new skills and knowledge as the sun was setting over the soccer field just beyond. It’s a blessing to witness kids of all ages come to the YDC to learn a variety of skills (English, music, computers, and sports) and watch them leave with so much more - a taste of God’s love that we pray we can continue to pour out here.
YDC teacher Dara teaching the students how to keep a beat using their heartbeats
The younger students learning computer skills in the new computer classroom
Teacher Training at the YDC
The teachers here—Daneth, Dara, Chantha, Lin Na, and Dany—are not only passionate but also incredibly intentional in their work. It’s clear that God has placed a great calling on their lives, and it’s been an honor for me to come alongside them in training.
So remember when I mentioned my deeper calling and purpose for being here long term? At Vuthy’s request, I am coming alongside the teachers to facilitate a 3-month teacher training program! I will help them strengthen their teaching and engagement skills, as well as provide guidance on support-raising strategies. I’m excited to empower them to thrive in their calling and advance their command of the English language.
VR employee Alyssa with the YDC teachers Dara, Chantha, Dany, Lin Na, and Daneth (left to right) after a training on support raising
The teachers workshopping their vision, mission, and goals
“With our Co-founders asking me to help teach and train our new interns and our Dreamer Vuthy asking me to teach his staff teachers at the YDC, I’m seeing God reignite the passion for teaching he gave me years ago when I earned my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification from ASU (Arizona State University).”
Our Incredible Dreamer, Man of God, Vuthy
Something I’ve witnessed here which has made the greatest impression is that Vuthy is a leader like no other. His heart for his community is unwavering, and his passion for seeing his people thrive is contagious. He leads with humility, always putting the needs of others before his own. Whether it's coordinating the YDC, overseeing the projects, or simply offering a listening ear, Vuthy approaches everything with a deep sense of purpose.
Alyssa, Chase, and Vuthy on the first day of the VR trip
I’ve witnessed Vuthy’s incredible care for each person in the community. He knows which students need extra support and takes the time to disciple them one-on-one. He’s aware of each family’s faith journey and challenges, gently guiding them in the wisdom of the Lord.
From the smallest task of watering plants to dreaming up the next big project to move the community forward, Vuthy does it all with love. His every action reflects his heart for his people, and it’s clear that he’s led by God in the way he moves.
His wife, Connie (Srey Nech), is just as integral to their work, supporting the community through her role as a nurse and as a constant support for Vuthy and their two young children. Together, they make an extraordinary team. It’s an honor to witness their leadership and see how their shared vision continues to shape and transform the community.
Vuthy’s wife Connie preparing the gift baskets for the special guests of the YDC 15th anniversary event
Looking Ahead to 2025 Projects and Beyond
Every moment here reminds me of what makes Village Reach so special: we come alongside passionate dreamers, like Vuthy, to equip them with the resources and support they need to make a lasting impact in their own communities.
As we look ahead, we’re excited about what’s to come. We are praying over a potential scholarship and sponsorship programs to support students who struggle to cover tuition, ensuring the YDC staff can continue their work. We’re also planning further renovations for the YDC, including a paved courtyard and a perimeter wall—just the beginning of much more to come.
The biggest project on the horizon is the renovation of the soccer field, a project that will provide an incredible, lasting impact for the community and is much needed. We are thrilled to see these dreams unfolding, and we know that with your continued support, we’ll see even more lives transformed.
I’ll be chronicling all the God stories from my time in Cambodia and beyond, and I’d love to share them with you. You can subscribe to my personal missionary newsletter here.
We’ve shared many more photos and stories from this trip on our Instagram.
Thank you for being part of the global Village Reach community!
