"Sharing our family life, ministry, and travel experiences in Cambodia! Tess, a Filipino missionary, is married to Khmer pastor Vandy and is a mom to 11-year-old David. Living in Phnom Penh, we serve at a local church, desiring to make a difference by sharing God’s love through the gospel. Join us as we reflect on God’s faithfulness and love from Cambodia, sharing our journey of faith and mission!"
Merry Christmas from Phnom Penh Church 😍💖🙏 Indeed, God is awesome and worthy to be praised. Last Sunday was definitely a blast as we celebrate Christmas with our dorm men and women and with our church family. It was extremely special for we were able to invite our friends and sphere of influence (which we have been praying for to come - as part of our church goal to share the gospel to them *pray+care+share). Christmas is the best time to evangelize!
Sharing the real meaning of Jesus' birth is a wonderful privilege for us believers - the reason for this season is not merely about being kinder nor giving gifts but definitely centered on God's supreme love to us. We are the reason why Jesus was born. He came to SAVE us!
Praise God for those visitors who came and heard the good news, we hope they have genuinely prayed and reflected on God's salvation and that they would desire to come back and develop christ-likeness with us this coming year.
Lots of preparations involved to pull out this event. Grateful for faithful volunteers 👏😅💪 from logistics, decors, skits/play, food, worships, singings and even impromptu ushering.. these are all love for God.
Sharing with you some highlights of our Christmas worship.
Greeting Everyone and welcoming our Visitors 😄💗😇🙏🙌
Wonderful to see brother Sophorn cohosting with Chenda (**he is a new comer- has only started coming to church a few months ago)
Choir singing led by sister Narom (Dorm Leader)
Pastor Greg (the most hardworking and servant heart leader we have!)
Eating Fellowships
Youth Fellowships after the worship service
Jesus birth (short skit/play)
Khmer Chicken Curry (Traditional dish for special occasions) - It was specially prepared and cooked by my sister in law Kunthea)
assorted snacks, baguette breads, fruits brought by everybody!
What a rainy morning we have in Phnom Penh today 🙏😉. Has summer ended in Cambodia already? As a plant lover, I do rejoice about it! It's about time to experience some rain shower 😍 While on a tuktuk today, I pondered on this verse in Colossians 1:13 "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. " It is a great reminder that we have been saved through Jesus’ - His death and resurrection made it happened. God has saved us from darkness and evil, and we should be grateful for being citizens of His kingdom. Our freedom comes from Him, who can change our circumstances. Over dinner last night. our David has again asked a question, I think this is still in reference to our previous conversation a few nights ago but this time, he has included his dad 😅✌👉 David's lamentations ***While eating... David: Mom, will I go to heaven with dad someday? Mom: David, do y...
Last week, I blogged about a Filipino dish 👉 "Tinolang Manok" - my comfort food. Today, I also would like to feature a special Khmer noodle that I have loved eating ever since I stepped my foot in Cambodia. Vandy and I have already tried several versions of this noodle dish. Each place/province or homes have their own take on making it. The ingredients and technique vary from household for sure. We love eating it in my husband's hometown Kampong Cham. My in-laws prepare it with love. This noodle is not only popular during the holidays and festivals, but also being served for important events in the country. I wish to be able to make it, but I believe it would be a long time for me to even replicate what my in-laws are making. I have watched and helped them make it but it's just too complicated for me haha! Kunthea, my sister-in-law who is living with us made Nom Banh Chok last month. Here's a recipe for how she made it. But I would want you to know some importa...
My husband is praying to win another soul for Christ in our neighborhood. We are grateful to be living in a "Borey" (community in Khmer) where there is a Park. We love walking and exercising at our park. Vandy would be exercising in the early morning there, he would wait for the sun (natural Vitamin D!). It so happened that some new faces would come and exercise as well. On some weekends, my husband has had the opportunity to walk and talk to an elder man while walking on the park. Vandy is an introverted person, it's a struggle for him to even start a conversation, but one thing I like about him is that he is a good listener. And because of that, the elder man is so happy to have conversations with him. He found out that he was a government retiree. They have lots of topics as they walk in the park from politics, family down to health. Vandy is very persistent in listening and is waiting for the opportunity for him to speak. My husband knew it would take a while for the...
Ms. Allyn was my former boss (World Hope Org), speaking life to me as a future bride to Vandy in 2009 . She gifted us with a rice cooker, which, up to now, is being used for the church monthly potluck! Cool, right? I’ve always believed that hospitality is more than opening the doors of our homes, it’s opening the doors of our hearts. Here in Phnom Penh, where life buzzes with the noise of traffic and the rhythm of daily routines, God gives us moments that remind us of His quiet glory through friendships, food, stories, and smiles. Just like Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands,” our little acts of love and fellowship can also speak loudly of His presence and goodness. And sometimes, it happens over shared meals, in homes where stories are retold, prayers whispered, and hearts encouraged. A Full Circle of Kindness More than ten years ago, I was a young single missionary based in Kratie province . Whenever I would travel to ...
Twelve years ago, God gifted us with a beautiful baby boy David. Last Saturday (June 7th), he’s officially 12. Almost a teenager. It feels surreal. I still remember cradling him in my arms, marveling at the miracle we had waited and prayed for. His sweet smile, chubby cheeks, and joyful eyes gave us warmth even during our most uncertain days. He was and still is our ray of sunshine. Coming home from work each day to his big hugs and excited squeals has always been the highlight of our day. Whether I had a long day at the university or Vandy, my husband, had just returned from a week in the provinces doing mission work, seeing David run toward us always made everything worthwhile. But something in me shifted this year. He’s growing up. Yes, he still needs us, but differently. He now prepares his own school uniforms, picks out the color of sets he wants to wear, and tells us his food preferences. He has opinions. He voices them. He has feelings and thoughts he wants to express. And ...
Phnom Penh City at night (view from the Ferry ride) My missionary calling started some decades back in my country (the Philippines). I would be trekking and ministering around to the tribal community with my mission classmates at (ACM) Asian Center for Missions . These mission travels have given me much clarity about God's calling for me to become a missionary. I vividly remembered; my last tribal mission was in Davao - the Matigsalug tribe. It was an extra wonderful experience that even sealed my faith journey. God has impressed me that His name will be exalted among the nations! (and I should look for ways to serve and be a part of it!). We trekked for the whole day to the mountains and streams to reach a local community. It was exhausting but truly worth it trek! I was glad I was able to write this post in 2007 👉 Missions to Matigsalug Tribe . Months after that tribal trip, I began my mission journey here in Cambodia. As a single missionary, I joyfully took t...
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