Here we go again!

After several complications and unexpected issues threatened to completely derail months of planning, the 2025 Rescue Cambodia Family Road Trip begins!

For those unaware, the tour was supposed to be a multinational affair, with events planned for both Canada and the United States. Unfortunately for our American friends, the American embassy in Cambodia denied visas for the children, meaning the tour will now be a strictly Canadian journey. It is amazing and wonderful to see so many churches step up on short notice to host us, truly showing that God always has a plan.

For the next 40 days, I, Adam Sylvester, will document the Family Road Trip, while also providing photos and videos provided by myself and others, all here on the official Rescue Cambodia blog. I would ideally like to post once a day, but last year proved that may be too difficult. Rest assured that every day will be covered, sometimes just a few days afterwards.

The tour begins tomorrow in Toronto, where the Cambodian team will land. Their journey begins at the new international airport in Phnom Penh, which has only just opened! There has been much preparation and planning in the final days before departure, as well as multiple farewells.

The team is as follows:

The boys: Moses, Veenang, Kapriel, Yusaep, Bunya, Theara.

The girls: Sreylang, Sovaneat, Naomi, Soteaara, Dalin, Sreyleaak.

Cambodian adults: Tong, Trakuan, SreyTop, Sany.

Canadian/American chaperones: Adam, Haley, Sarah, Carman, Twyla.

Tour leaders: Blaine, Shelly.

Bus drivers: Rob, Mike.

I cannot provide information on all of the kids just yet, as I do not know many of them outside of brief interactions when I was in Cambodia over the summer. I can, however, vouch for Moses and Kapriel. Those familiar with last year's tour no doubt recognize those two boys from the photos above, as they are returning for this year! Both are absolute sweethearts, and it is good to have them back.

Returning again for the Cambodian adults are Trakuan and Sany. Trakuan is in charge of handling the meals for the Cambodians, while Sany is the dance instructor, making both of them essential for the trip. Joining for the first time are Tong and SreyTop, a pair of Rescue alumni who are attending to give their testimonies and act as chaperones.

The Canadian team is made up of returning members, as my parents, Blaine and Shelly, will be overseeing the tour, while Sarah and I will act as chaperones. Sarah will be very close with all of the Cambodians, as she has been living at Rescue 1 since July, helping with the preparation. We will be joined by Haley, who hails from Rochester, MN. Haley helped us last year when we were in the United States, and she is joining us for the full tour this year. Carman and Twyla are English teachers at Rescue 3, and will be joining us later in the tour. Rob and Mike served as our bus drivers last year, where they both bonded with the team greatly. It is wonderful to have them join us again.

Stay tuned for more blog posts about the tour!