GICF-BIC Fence Building Project 2025
The bond of work brought us together past cultural and language differences
Jason Dexter
4/7/20252 min read
In January of 2025, I went with a team from GICF to Cambodia with BIC. Our mission was to help a local pastor build a fence around a mission compound, which he will use for outreach in a village outside Siem Reap.
I don’t speak Cambodian so we couldn’t communicate well with the building team through words. So we used gestures and facial expressions. It was a great experience to work with other men toward a common goal. The bond of work brought us together past cultural and language differences.
As we worked, many village children came over to watch curiously what we were doing. It wasn’t long before they joined in. With huge smiles, they pushed wheelbarrows, loaded sand, and ran with us to move the materials for building. It was a reminder that joy can be found in simple everyday activities, even work. They didn’t have electronic devices, but found happiness in being together with their friends and brothers.
During break times, we kicked a soccer ball in the compound courtyard. The girls watched and giggled while the boys laughed and ran. Their energy gave us a bit of adrenaline though we were tired from the work.
After lunch, our pastor friend delivered a few clothing goods we brought to the children. Again, they were delighted at the small gifts they received.
Beyond the little bit of material help we could offer, we were encouraged that the pastor is continuing to share the good news with these children and their families. Some have received Christ and committed themselves to following Him.
Our team of four studied Nehemiah together everyday and learned the challenges of those ancient men as they rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. The time of sharing together was very special and made the work more meaningful as we found similarities between our work and what other men experienced in Biblical times.
When we finished our section of the fence, we had a prayer and “consecrated” the gate, asking God’s blessing on this beautiful family and all who would enter into this compound. May they be refreshed in Him as they see the light of Christ!
On our trip, we also got to play and share with the Siem Reap football team. Many of those young men have also begun following Jesus as a result of BIC’s ministry.
Cambodia is a land where a spiritual war for soul’s rages behind the scenes. I am thankful that BIC is fighting this battle for the Lord and that I could be part of it. May God bless Cambodia, His church there, and BIC Cambodia!
Thanks so much to Brother Henry for giving his vision for ministering to Cambodia through football and for inviting me to be part of it.
