Sharing the gospel
Testimonies, house visits in the villages and youth events: many chances to share the love of Jesus and bring the gospel to the unreached.
Nothing matched. Try “DTS”, “dates”, “apply” or “WhatsApp”.
Visit / short-term teams
Bring a team
មកលេង
Welcome to your adventure
Thank you for your yes, and your heart for Cambodia.
We believe God has a purpose for your time here. As a short-term team you serve alongside us in villages, schools, churches and communities, sharing the gospel in word and action. Siem Reap is known for Angkor Wat; it is also home to many who have never heard the name of Jesus.
Most teams stay one to three weeks. You stay on campus, eat with the community, and work with Khmer staff on things that continue after you leave.
How teams serve
Part of something bigger.
Short-term teams play a real part in YWAM Cambodia’s vision of One Nation, One Generation: raising up a generation of Khmer believers to transform their nation. Your time here impacts lives, and it strengthens the local believers who carry on the work.
Supporting ministries
Teams support the ministries we partner with in Siem Reap: education, children’s ministry, food distribution and construction.
Skills
Worship, media, barista, kitchen and technical skills empower and inspire our staff while supporting the ministries.
Encouraging missionaries
Teams work alongside our staff, bringing fresh energy, prayer and support to those serving long term, and often keep praying and giving after they go home.
Before the trip
Spiritual and practical preparation.
Worship and prayer
Your journey starts with prayer. Worship and prayer bring unity, strength and guidance, and prepare your heart for what is ahead.
Ministry prep
Be ready to share your story. Come prepared with songs, dances, skits and games: they are some of the best ways to connect with Khmer people.
Culture, language, awareness
Learn a few Khmer phrases and something of Cambodia’s history and traditions. It shows respect and opens doors.
The right mindset
Come with a heart to serve. You are here to support long-term missions. Things will not always go as planned, so be FAT: flexible, adaptable and teachable.
Packing essentials
- Shoes you do not mind getting dirty, and sandals
- Towels (bedding and pillows are provided, towels are not)
- A water bottle
- Sunscreen, lots of it
- Your own toiletries (familiar brands are hard to find)
- Mosquito spray, especially in rainy season
- A raincoat in rainy season
- A passport valid at least six months after arrival
Cultural do’s and don’ts
Respect opens every door.
Nine things our staff wish every team knew before day one. None of them are hard; all of them are noticed.
01
Feet and heads
Do not show the soles of your feet when sitting; sit cross-legged or kneel. Do not touch anyone’s head. Shoes off in homes, hats off indoors.
02
Generosity
You will be invited to sit and eat, often. Accept it; generosity is a love language here. Share what you have too.
03
Relationships first
It is all about relationships. Get to know someone before you talk about faith, and ask open questions: what do you think about that?
04
Evangelism
Loud open-air preaching can be shut down, and so can we. Never speak against Buddhism or other religions, and do not go into a pagoda to evangelise. Respect opens the door.
05
Monks and pagodas
You may talk with monks, but do not touch them. Visit pagodas with someone else, modestly dressed, never after dark.
06
Children and photos
Children may be treated differently from home; ask your ministry contact. Check before taking photos or posting online. Kids are not a museum.
07
Touch
Men hold hands with men and women with women; it is friendship. Touching the opposite sex in public is not appropriate.
08
Money
Carry little cash, leave your passport in a safe place, and do not give money to begging children. Offer water or a snack instead.
09
Time
People will be late, and will finish a conversation before the next thing. Be on time yourself, and say how long you are free.
During the tripGrowth happens in the moments of discomfort. Go all in.
Dress code
Modest is hottest.
Ministry time is semi-professional; the rest of the time, still appropriate when you are out of the house, right up to the day you leave.
- Teaching
- Semi-professional: skirts or tidy long pants with a nice shirt; slacks and a polo or button-up for men.
- Ministry
- Jeans or tidy long pants, or capris past the knee. T-shirts are fine. No Thai elephant pants for ministry.
- Sport and dirty work
- Long basketball shorts to the knee. No short running shorts.
- Out of hours
- T-shirts, long shorts or any pants. In your room, whatever you like.
- Swimming
- Khmer women swim in shorts and a T-shirt, so we do too; men wear trunks to the knee.
- Also
- Dresses and skirts below the knee or with leggings. Long sleeves keep you cooler in the sun. Keep tattoos low-key; no new tattoos or piercings on outreach.
Base guide
Our home is your home.
The base houses long-term staff and families with children, so we ask every team to help us steward it well.
- Meals
- Breakfast 7:30, lunch 12:30, dinner 6:30 on weekdays and Sunday night; a bell rings. Tell your coordinator if you will eat out or bring guests.
- Quiet hours
- 9:30pm to 7:30am. The gate locks at 9:30pm; let someone know if you will be late.
- Rooms
- No toilet paper down the toilet, no shoes in the bedrooms, no food in rooms, and AC at 22° or above. Last one out turns off lights and AC.
- Getting around
- Teams do not drive cars or motos; bicycles are fine. Wear a helmet as a moto passenger. PassApp or Grab for tuk-tuks: a ride is usually $1 to $2.50.
- Drinking and smoking
- Not allowed on base or out.
Practical information
Before you fly.
- Airport
- Siem Reap Angkor International (SAI), about an hour from the base. Transfer: $25 car (4), $30 van (12), $35 van (15).
- Seasons
- Dry November to April; cool and busiest November to February; March and April up to 42°C. Rainy May to October, usually an hour or two a day.
- Money
- Riel and US dollars; 4,000 riel to the dollar. Change money at Wing booths, with clean, unripped notes.
- Vaccinations
- Hepatitis B, tetanus (up to date) and typhoid are required.
- Time zone
- Indochina Time (ICT), UTC+7.
- Visas and housing
- The e-visa guide and your letter of invitation come through the GP Portal once your team is accepted. Ask the teams coordinator about anything else.
How it works
From first message to the week itself.
01
Tell us about your team
Your church or base, rough dates, and how many are coming. The team leader applies once for everyone on the GP Portal.
02
We plan it together
Dates, the villages and ministries you would serve in, where you stay and the budget. We confirm we can host you.
03
Register and prepare
Passport copies, a team photo, flights when booked. Then the e-visa guide, our letter of invitation, and this guide.
04
Arrive
We collect you from Siem Reap airport, settle you in, and walk through the week together on the first evening.
