A Season of Deepening Trust

Over the past two months, Mission Dove has continued to journey closely with young people in our communities. While our activities may seem simple on the surface, something deeper is happening; trust is growing.

Mission Dove has become a consistent space, like a home, where young people return not because they have to, but because they feel safe. Through regular presence, listening, and shared experiences, we are seeing relationships move beyond surface-level interactions into genuine connection. Many young people are beginning to open up in new ways—sharing their journeys and questions.

This kind of trust cannot be rushed. It is built slowly, and we remain committed to that process.

Onyx Program

In February, we launched the 12th cohort of the Onyx Program with 20 participants, ranging in age from 19 to 42. This diverse group reflects our heart—to walk with young adults from different backgrounds as they grow in leadership, faith, and emotional maturity.

This marks an important step in developing a more intentional pathway for leadership and personal growth. The program focuses not only on skills, but also on the inner formation of each participant—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Participants are engaging in:

• Personal reflection and self-awareness

• Group discussions on life challenges and identity

• Building trust within a committed cohort

What stands out is their willingness to show up—not just physically, but personally. Many are beginning to engage more deeply with themselves and with one another.

Adventure Retreat: “Stepping into Uncertainty”

On an early Friday morning in March, the Mission Dove Onyx1 students stepped out of their comfort zone and onto a bus to face new challenges. We were off to Kampot province for a three-day Adventure Retreat. The retreat theme of stepping into uncertainty was also true for the Dove staff, volunteers and advisor, since we changed to a new retreat location! Shalom Healing Center, thoughtfully developed by a Korean American couple, turned out to be a perfect setting for our retreat.

This is the 12^th cohort of the Phnom Penh Onyx program and includes 19 students, ranging in age from 19 to 42 years old. The six volunteers are Onyx alumni from the last three cohorts. In addition to cooking all the meals for the retreat, the volunteers are taking turns helping facilitate the Onyx lessons this year.

Saturday morning, the students tackled a new hike that climbed uphill next to a series of waterfalls. Since it’s dry season, there was no water, but it was still very scenic. As they climbed higher, they took a wrong turn and had to find their way back to the main trail. This was a great real-life experience in facing uncertainty on their life journey! After lunch back in the valley, they spent time alone, reflecting with God by journaling, drawing or writing poetry.​​​​  

The retreat also helped build trusting relationships among the students. One of the Onyx volunteers began by modelling and sharing her life story. She was followed by four students, who shared their life stories during evening campfires. Sunday morning included worship and silent reflection stations scattered throughout the beautiful retreat centre garden. Students then shared both in pairs and with the full group. As others listened compassionately, they began the process of emotional healing, which will continue through the year.

Stories That Build Trust and Healing

A key part of the retreat was story-sharing. One Onyx volunteer courageously shared her life story, setting the tone for others. Over the following evenings, several students opened up about their struggles, journeys, and hopes around the campfire.

As others listened with compassion, something shifted. Walls began to come down. Trust began to grow.

On the final day, participants engaged in worship and silent reflection stations throughout the garden, followed by sharing in pairs and as a full group. These moments marked the beginning of deeper emotional healing that will continue throughout the year.

The retreat was also a space to practice community and service. Six Onyx alumni volunteers from previous cohorts played a key role—preparing meals, facilitating sessions, and supporting participants. Beyond logistics, they modelled humility and leadership in action.

Even simple acts, like cooking and washing dishes together, became meaningful experiences. For many participants, this was new learning that small acts of service can build connection, care, and mutual encouragement.

A Participant’s Reflection

Reaksme, who is a staff member of a Cambodian faith-based organization said:

“Through the three-day Adventure Retreat, much of what I learned was during the time I spent hiking on the second day. We all hiked in the mountains, walking in the forest. I spent quality time focused on God, praying to Him during my walking, and I felt God encouraging me to continue what I was doing. I received energy as I reflected on the roots of the trees. They showed the foundation of faith that helps me continue to do my work, study, and ministry. It’s like when we have a strong foundation of faith, the Holy Spirit comes to us, and the things we could not do, He does for us in our lives.

What I enjoyed the most is being encouraged by the theme of stepping into uncertainty, because there are so many things in my life that are still unclear in the work that I'm doing. I've been praying, but when I spent a few days during this adventure retreat, I had a sense of the Holy Spirit and that what I'm doing, God is doing together with me. In addition, I've been encouraged by sharing our stories one by one. Every day I work with children who have lost their families, children who are depressed, and children who are vulnerable in the community. This encourages me to continue working with children-at-risk, which can change their lives. Through the stories that I hear from our cohort and the stories of the vulnerable children that I am working with, it helps encourage me personally. It makes me feel more compassionate toward children-at-risk and motivates me to challenge myself in the work that I know is God’s purpose for my life.  

The last thing I learned was about acts of service, dividing the group, and washing the dishes in small groups. All of these things I had never done before. I am a person who has a very low love language for acts of service. I generally want to be served more than I want to serve others. But when I spent time with the brothers and sisters who went on retreat together, I felt warmth, closeness, and felt that each of them helped the other. All of these things taught me that it doesn't mean that we don't know [people’s love language], but that we don't do it. But when we do it, we realise that the little actions we do for others can really help heal others, as well as help to encourage others through the act of service. It's really important. I get to do this little service with the brothers and sisters, who go on retreat together. I'm feeling energised and encouraged by their acts of service.”

More Than a Retreat

This Adventure Retreat was not just a three-day event—it was a starting point.

Participants returned not only with memories, but with:

• Deeper self-awareness

• Stronger relationships

• Renewed faith and purpose

• A growing willingness to step into the unknown

As the Onyx journey continues, we believe these moments will shape how they lead, serve, and live.

Youth Learning Centre:

It was a place where people can come to learning their time together as the students friends and family. The student come to play- hangout-studying English and also join their small group to sharing the journey and life experience together.

Mission Dove is very excited to hear lot of youth in community have safe space for them to come and more than that we hear the story of change from them too and we pray and hope this mission will keep going to supporting more young adults in the community.

This is the story from one student who have been involved with Mission Dove since 2016. My name is Visal*. I am studying in Grade 12 at a Khmer school, and I am also studying Pre-intermediate English at YESIC Center (Mission Dove)

Currently, I live with my father and my two younger sisters they’re in Grade 10 and Grade 11. Our house is near Chbar Ampov Bridge, along the riverside. My mother lives in the countryside with my aunt, helping her with business because my aunt runs a restaurant.

Since I was young, my parents have lived separately. I do not know the reason, and I have never dared to ask them about it. I once asked them to live together again, but they refused. However, neither of them has remarried, yet they still do not live together.

My sister and I live with our father, and he is responsible for supporting the whole family. Sometimes I visit my mother in the countryside. I once tried living with her there, but I was not used to it because the family was large and very busy. I prefer a quiet environment, so I decided to come back and live with my father in Phnom Penh.

I remember that when I was young, I moved to many different places. I also lived with my grandfather, who is Vietnamese. He even took me to visit Vietnam once.

I sometimes feel like an orphan because I did not grow up with either of my parents together like other children. I did not really receive warmth and full care from parents. When I see other families, I often feel sad and inferior.

As I grew older year by year, I had to learn how to live independently. I learned from my surroundings, from my teachers at school, and from social media that I thought were helpful. I tried to learn and follow good examples—such as cooking, preparing food, organizing the house, and communicating with other people—because I did not have my parents there to guide or teach me. They were always busy with their own work, and they lived separately.

When I was young, I experienced a very frightening incident with my grandfather. Our house caught fire. It was terrifying. My grandfather carried me out of the burning house, but the house and all our belongings were destroyed by the fire.

After that, life became very difficult because everything we had was gone. We used to live in a big wooden house, but afterward we had to live in a small metal house.

There are many difficulties and problems in my life that I cannot fully describe. Currently, the biggest challenge is the lack of money for my education. My father must spend a lot supporting three children in higher grades, including food and other expenses. I also have many Extra classes because this is the year of my graduation exam of High school.

I know Mission Dove through one of my friends. I knew this center in  2016 when I was still young. Last year, I decided to study here again because I believe English is very important for future job opportunities.

Last year, I also decided to join another class with my friend called the Good CitizenShip class. I especially love that class because it helped me a lot. The lessons were very meaningful, I gained valuable experience, and my knowledge improved. I studied with older students and built good relationships with them.

I learned many things from the facilitators and from the older students who shared their experiences during class discussions and small group activities. I learned from lessons and I tried to apply them to improve my daily life.

This year, I also decided to join another class called Leadership club. This time there are many students in the class, Studying here makes me feel safe and enjoy the activities English and clubs. There are many people who understand, supporting and help me feel joyful, even though I do not always find happiness at home.

Especially now, I feel relieved after sharing these feelings, because I have kept them inside for a long time.

I do not know what my life journey will be like in the future, but I will try my best to live my life well by applying everything I have learned from the people around me.

* not their real name

Happy Khmer New Year!

Khmer New Year is the biggest holiday of the year for Cambodians—similar to Christmas in many cultures. Officially celebrated from April 14–16, it is a time for family, rest, and celebration.

Mission Dove celebrated early on Friday, April 11, as some staff travelled to their hometowns. Staff, interns, teachers, and students gathered for snacks and fellowship, traditional Khmer dancing, and games that are uniquely played during this festive season.

Mission Dove Team Building

In early April, Mission Dove held a team-building retreat, taking staff out of the city for two days of games, devotions, learning, and rest.

It was a meaningful time to better understand ourselves and one another as we serve in the same ministry. The retreat helped strengthen both our relationships as a team and our connection with God.

We explored areas we often overlook, including:

• “What You See vs. What You Don’t”

• “What I Wish My Co-Workers Knew About Me”

• Communication styles

• Workplace wellbeing

These activities led to deeper reflection on how we relate to one another and how Jesus calls us to practice love and care in our relationships.

Prayer Points

1. Pray for Serey as she leads the Onyx team this year.

2. Pray for Reaksmey as she leads the YESIC team this year.

3. Pray that the Onyx participants will grow and become good leaders.

4. Pray the YESIC students will find a safe place to grow at the Mission Dove Centre.