This last year, God blessed our project with some incredible people. Student and short-term missionaries are crucial to our team. Over the past year, they have been the backbone of the project while our family was in the States for Daniel’s cancer treatments. After we returned to Cambodia, it was a real privilege to work with them for a few weeks before they had to return to their homes.

Short-term missionary Mariette Diedericks served as the principal at our elementary school while we were gone. She provided leadership and support for the SMs as well. Her maturity, dedication, and spiritual leadership had a great impact on many lives. Thank you for serving, Mariette!

Vannida Kim was born in Cambodia and is now attending Southern Adventist University in the States. She played a role that no other person could have filled. We needed a fourth-grade teacher at the school this last year, and only someone fluent in the local language could teach it. God called Vannida to serve this last year in this unique situation as only she could have. She touched many students’ hearts and taught them about her friend, Jesus. Thank you for serving, Vannida!

Bezi (Conan) Lizzi and Anthony Nelson served as English and music teachers at the school. They put together an evangelistic series at the local church plant and held Bible studies with one of our teachers at the school each week. Bezi, the children loved how you played with them. Anthony, they loved all your faces and noises. Thank you for your hard work and service.

Each of these student and short-term missionaries not only changed lives in Cambodia, but their own lives were changed as well. Each one matured and developed a broader worldview. They passed through personal struggles and found their spiritual walks deepened.

If you are between the ages of 19 and 35, please consider serving a year as a student or short-term missionary. It will be one of the best decisions you will ever make.

• Twitter