The Hourngs in Cambodia!

It was just another ordinary weekend. Nothing fancy, no big plans. Just a simple family errand: we promised David, our almost-12-year-old, that he could finally buy the UNO card game he's been saving up for. He earned the money by reading Khmer books, selling homemade chocolate crinkles, and consistently taking sermon notes every Sunday. We were proud of him. So, off to the mall we went. I’ve always appreciated that David isn’t drawn to gadgets . Instead, he’s into board games, puzzles, and card games. It’s his way of unwinding, and we see his creativity and joy through it. After finding the perfect UNO card set and making the purchase, we decided to linger a bit longer. I needed to reach my daily 10,000 steps goal , and walking around the mall seemed like a fun way to finish it. As we strolled down to the ground floor, we passed by a sports store (Decathlon) . They had an open table tennis area where anyone could try the equipment. Naturally, it caught the boys’ attention. David w...

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 ...

When God Says "Wait" "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" — Psalm 27:14 (ESV) A Message for the Waiting Heart This is for every single woman, mother, wife, young professional, or sister in faith who has ever whispered, “Lord, how much longer?” Waiting isn’t easy, especially in a world that rewards speed, instant gratification, and quick results. But there’s a beauty in tarrying—staying, seeking, and trusting even when nothing seems to be happening. This post is written straight from the heart, drawn from my personal journey of waiting, stumbling, growing, and trusting again. If you're in a season of waiting, know this: you are not alone. We minister to singles, young professionals, and young couples here in Cambodia. And one of the most common questions we hear is: “Why is God making me wait?” Or sometimes, “What if I miss out?” In our fast-paced culture—driven by likes, shares, and validation from people—it’s ha...

If there's one Khmer dish that we keep on requesting every week is this easy fried vegetables "Cha Trokun" (Cha - means stir fry & Trokun - Water spinach) aside from Singaw chiru . I learned this easy dish while doing my mission work in Kratie province way back 2007. Sreymom, my lovely student taught me how to cook it. Her version has much kick of spiciness, the version I cook at home is mild because of my son. I'm glad David likes to eat this simple dish as well. He loves the crunch of the fresh greens and the flavorful sauce. He especially enjoys dipping it in a simple sauce made of salt, pepper, and lime – a touch of French influence in Cambodian cuisine. I'm not good at cooking, but it has always been a comforting activity for me if I make it at home. It’s more than just making food. It’s an act of love, a chance to create memories, and sometimes, a way to teach David about faith. Just as I learned to cook from Sreymom, I hope to pass on not just recipe...

Our verse today in Psalm 42:11 reminds me of our compassionate God. He deals with and meets us even when we are downcast, upset, and angry.  When David was growing up, there were many times I would explode out of my anger due to frustrations. I thank God that He has met me when I needed Him the most.  By God’s grace, I’m still growing in the area of self-control. God is still in the process of building my character in the fruit of the Spirit . There are many times I would be caught off guard at the way I respond unlovingly toward my husband and son. Vandy would always remind me to consider people around us since my sister-in-law and her teenage son are now living with us. They are definitely seeing our lives daily. It's a challenge to respond with grace, practicing and putting into action the faith that is in us. How to reflect the goodness of God more practically? That even my son would emulate and copy. I praise God because, though we could still sin, He is faithful and...

My cup runneth over! Mother’s Day at PPC our local church yesterday was a heartfelt celebration. Standing beside young mothers and even young fathers representing their wives who couldn’t join, I felt a deep sense of community. There’s something special about being prayed for, feeling the warmth of blessings spoken over us. As the congregation prayed for us mothers—asking God to heal, guide, and bless—I couldn’t help but get emotional. I’ve been a mom for 12 years now. And I remember, when I first became one, I felt unqualified. Doubts filled my heart. Could I be a good, godly mom? Would I be enough for my child? Would I fail him? I used to focus on the missing parts, the “what ifs,” and the fears. But over time, I realized that being a mom is not about having it all together. It’s about having a heart willing to obey and trust God, even in the chaos. Our church recognized not only biological mothers but also spiritual mothers—women who nurture others in faith, like Sister Hyangsuk...

Last night, my son David broke down in tears. He confessed that he had chased down a classmate at school, demanding an apology for making fun of him. My heart ached as he shared how he’s been bullied—how his classmates single him out, call him "no fun," and mock him. David doesn’t fully understand yet that he has mild autism. His dad and I have been hesitant to tell him because, in the past, he’s reacted negatively to the word. But now, his peers are using it as a weapon against him. As a mom, it’s crushing to see your child hurt, especially when they’re trying so hard to fit in. We’ve talked to his teachers, but the pain lingers. And as Christians, we wrestle with this truth: People will let us down. Friends will hurt us. The world can be cruel. But one thing remains unshaken— Jesus loves him. And so do we. Bible Verses: "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." – 1 John 4:11 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome ...