"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!"
Last Sunday, aside from our corporate worship, we also had a special prayer for our wonderful family and copartners in the ministry. It is important to note that even though it's just a temporary goodbye, we do know that as a congregation we should send, cover and surrender their journey to Jesus. We recognized God's power of blessings and protection over them.
Brother Paolo
We praise God on brother Paolo's life. Though he experienced a big challenge and turning point in his life, he remained constant in his faith and devotion to God. We are thankful for his service in PPC. He has been a great help in the praise and worship team as our drummer. He has a very gentle and kind spirit. He never complains- his cheerfulness and willingness to serve are contagious among the men at the dorm. We hope and pray he will continue to persevere to the plan of God awaits him as he flies back to the Philippines. This is surely not a goodbye. We will see you again brother!
Uncle Mark and sister Hyangsuk 💓👫😍 they will be away for 3 months to visit families & supporters in the US and South Korea (mission furlough)
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Ma'am Grace
sister in law Kunthy prepared and cooked a feast for our monthly fellowship (her version of chicken inasal - chicken BBQ Philippines)
Khmer sweet and sour chicken partnered with fried dried cucumbers
We are thankful to our brethren from IGM Japan led by our dear Maám Grace and Pastor James who shared the sermon that morning. We are greatly moved and inspired with his preaching on Exodus 19:5-8 "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Pastor James used to be a missionary in Kenya Africa.
He shared a funny story that would clearly illustrate a practical point on how to be "holy".
As believers, it is important that we live to be in "christlikeness" even to the most private and public part of our lives. We should act, think holy!
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 ...
Whenever I Miss Home, I Cook Tinola In 2007, I met my Khmer husband in the mission field (Kratie, Cambodia). As you all know I came from the Philippines 😁😍😅 whenever I miss home, I would cook Tinola chicken soup! Cambodia is a country with its own rich culture and traditions. I love that some dishes and ingredients are familiar to me and often brings me back to the warmth of my home in the Philippines. Now that I am a wife, I have embraced this new land (the kingdom of wonders as they say) with my Khmer husband and son as we build our lives and our faith in this country. Yet, whenever I feel the longing for the Philippines, for the familiar embrace of my homeland, I turn to the comforting ritual of cooking "tinola" (hearty chicken soup!). I praise God for this season of discovering skills. I am still learning how to cook, it is Vandy who has better cooking skills at home. In fact, my husband could actually whip a few filipino dishes better than me now. His pork sinigang an...
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