Hello everyone! My name is Brandon Kim, a rising senior at Pepperdine University. This summer, I had the opportunity and privilege to go to the nation of Cambodia on a short-term mission trip.

Personally, I was always scared and doubted why someone like me should go on STSM. During my freshman year of college, I remember God calling me so clearly to go on missions but despite His clear call, I refused to obey, citing that I felt “unqualified” and made excuses that it would be too much on my upcoming summer, as I was also preparing to go study abroad in Heidelberg, Germany for the full academic year. Even though that year in Germany was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had, spiritually that year I entered into a dry season of my faith. Finding a church to attend in Germany was difficult and I felt like I was going nowhere with my faith. I caught myself praying only for better circumstances in my life and I would only go to God when things were difficult. This dry season carried over into the beginning of my junior year, where it was just extremely difficult to seek guidance, let alone nurture my faith and relationship with God. Despite now having the availability to attend church, I felt like I was just going through the motions and learning nothing new, as my heart was hardened. However, by God’s grace and sovereignty, I was advised to do daily devotionals in the book of Psalms for 30 days by the person I now consider helping me rediscover my faith and what it means to have an intimate, love relationship with Him. Reading through the book of Psalms really reminded me that no matter how far I can run away from God, He will always be waiting for me with open arms and with love that knows no end. The daily devotionals taught me how much God loves me and His character, as well as that His name is worthy to be praised. Just last year, at KCM’s winter retreat, WinterCon, I once again heard God clearly call out to me to go on missions during the summer. Hearing about the testimonies of those who had gone to STSM the previous year and also their enthusiasm and encouragement to go, even though I felt unqualified to do so made me realize that it’s not about how I feel, but rather it’s about joining God’s Kingdom and how He is working in the nations. And then before I knew it, I was chosen alongside 14 other peers to serve Him in the nation of Cambodia.
During the month of July when I was in Cambodia, I was at the most peace I have felt in a long time personally. Colossians 3:15 mentions “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Throughout the trip, I was at a peace that felt so unexplainable. Even though the day’s schedule was decided at the very last minute and as a person who is quite anxious about generally everything, my time in Cambodia was just full of blessings and peace.  Reflecting on the trip now, I can only give thanks to God for providing this sense of peace to me and I have nothing but gratitude. 

The first week of our trip was at ITCS Cambodia, a seminary school in Phnom Penh. There, we had a chance to get to know the local seminary students that were studying there. For context, Cambodia is a country where 97% of the population is Buddhist and 0.4% are Christian. The first night, we were able to share dinner with the seminary students. I remember hearing them share their testimonies and learning more about why they were studying at ITCS was so eye-opening and encouraging. A lot of the seminary students had one thing in common though: after their studies at ITCS, they all wanted to go back to their provinces and villages and spread the word of God and Christianity. Upon hearing this, I was so encouraged at how willing and eager these Cambodian seminary students were to share the gospel with their communities back in their villages and the Cambodian people in general. It made me reflect on my own heart and wonder, do I have the same heart for spreading God’s love and truth for those around me? As I got to grow closer to seminary students throughout, it was truly a blessing and encouragement to see their hearts for their people. We were able to join them one day to do a VBS session at a local village church and seeing their genuine enthusiasm going door to door and inviting every single child in sight to come out was such an encouragement and blessing to see that they truly had an overflow of love towards these children.

The second and third week of our trip was at TIM International School, a kindergarten to sixth-grade school in Siem Reap. At TIM School, we performed a lot of VBS songs and skits, as well as taught English and basic computer skills to the students who attended. Here, I was able to learn and apply the importance of praying to God that He is the one who will disciple and nurture these students’ faith and that through our skits and dances, the love and truth of God will be shown to these children. Missionary Stanley also emphasized a lot about being a “channel of blessing” to those around us and as I got to observe and interact with him, I was also able to just truly learn what the phrase meant. Even though we were only there for a short 14 days, I was able to witness Missionary Stanley’s heart for the Cambodian children and how faithful he is to God and His calling. God really grew my heart and showed me the importance of sharing my blessings with those around me so that they in turn can also be blessed, especially as Hebrews 13:16 mentions “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” It was also during my time at TIM School that God really revealed to me the source of my anxiety and nervousness before the trip: fear of man and people’s judgment of me. Our team read through 1 Samuel daily throughout the trip and each day, God revealed to me through Saul and David what a fear of man versus a fear of God looks like. I was humbled and rebuked by God and I really had to reflect on what was driving my fear of man. My leader, Chris, shared with me Joshua 24:19-20, which mentions that “He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” Through this verse and my personal reflections during the trip, I learned my innate selfish and prideful attitude about what others thought of me was clouding the very fact that I am called to only love God, my Heavenly Father who has created me in His image with so much love and intentionality. 

Through my interactions with the locals, Missionary Stanley, and just my time in Cambodia, God has truly grown my heart to those around me as well as how important it is to be a “channel of blessing” to those around me. He also revealed to me that fearing Him and developing my relationship with Him is so much greater and better than fearing man. As I enter my final year of college, I have so much to think about, whether it be securing a job after graduation or even making the most of my last year of undergrad, whatever that means. One thing is for certain: prioritizing and deepening my relationship with God should be front and foremost above all else since He is Lord of all and He is so big, so strong, so mighty, and that there is nothing that He cannot do.