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Wow! The Tenth Onyx Cohort

Writer's picture: Andrew CollinsAndrew Collins

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

This is the tenth cohort of the Onyx 1 leadership program in Phnom Penh. For me (Serey Choeng) this is the sixth year that I have been involved with the Onyx program. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful program something I have not experienced in ministry before. It helps me grow in my spiritual and emotional maturity. I have learned a lot from my students, especially I’ve learned about each of student's stories and their journey in life. 

 

This year we started orientation and classes in the early weeks of February 2024 and we plan to finish the eight learning blocks at the end of November 2024. The students come from 11 areas and churches all around Phnom Penh and Kandal provinces. Most of them are university students, some have jobs and some still do not yet have jobs but have volunteered at their churches. This year we have 17 students, including 9 girls from 20 to 33 years old.

 

October is an exciting month for Onyx students to complete the final of the eight blocks, and it is also a month when all students prepare and present their final group project.  I hope all the small groups do well in early November.

 

It is a blessing for me that one of the students from cohort nine (a student from last year) is willing to volunteer and help me with some part of the learning task during lessons time and facilitated in the Onyx program. It helps me a lot that I can go to somewhere to join other training too.






Chanret Gains Confidence.

My name Chanret, I am 20 years old. Before I joined Onyx course, I lacked the courage to make decisions, set goals, and learn new things. I was a girl who was easily depressed when not achieving what I thought I could do, such as entering medical school and getting a scholarship. I was traumatized to meet people, even friends or family relatives do not dare to meet. Not talking much, talking less and less because I finished 12th grade, but I was not yet attended university. Loss of self-confidence because of doing or expecting something has always been frustrated and blamed since graduating from high school. Cut off from external relationships, stay at home, and gradually drift away from God because I rarely go to church or have a Bible reading during that time. A person who is a little stubborn, does not listen to anyone, and is easily angered and irritable.

 

When I attended Onyx for a half year, I felt very happy because not only studied inside the classroom, but we also studied outside the class, and went to new places. During each explored trip, such as an adventure retreat in Kep, who spent time with nature and learned a lots during that time about lesson and life. I have gained a lot of new experiences with people who have studied with me, both small group and big group which has made me even closer to them. I got a new taste of life, spent more time with God, relaxed both physically and emotionally, I felt healing emotional wounds and thought about the next step.

 

For me what I was observed myself during my time with Onyx class, I noticed that I was growth with spiritual and got to know God more than before so it is the reason that I have stronger faith and mature mindset than before. More courageous and have good relationships with others. Get love, attention, good communication, go out a lot and go out to learn more new things.




New Intern - Srey Neath

This year we have a volunteer from a previous generation of Onyx students. Her name is Srey Neath, after she graduated last year, she offered to serve God by helping us in class this year. As a facilitator, I am pleased she was willing to volunteer with Onyx. I saw her faith was strong and she has compassion and a servant of God, doing things with all her heart. Her husband, Reaksmey, also helps us with various programs when we need him, such as editing videos or asking him to take photos. This couple have a compassionate heart to help others and to serve the Lord.




Prayer Request:

  • Announce Giving Tuesday 3 December, 2024: In the next newsletter details will be outlined how to give to Mission Dove Cambodia ministries..

  • May God bless the current Onyx students to be creative and to be able to better plan for presentation about final project in each group this November, as well as to receive their graduation at the end of November. May they do well for their final project and graduate successfully.




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