August 2025 Ministry Recap

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This month of August, our hearts are full of gratitude as we look back on God’s goodness in our family and ministry. It has been a month of celebrating life, walking through new seasons as parents, and pressing forward in the mission field here in Phnom Penh. Each story and reflection reminds us of God’s faithfulness and of our need to continually depend on Him in prayer.

🎂 Celebrating Life & Birthdays

We began the month by celebrating birthdays in our family, including a simple but meaningful day for Papa Rolly. Birthdays for us are more than cake and gatherings they are reminders that every added year is a gift from the Lord.

In our post “Our Simple Birthdays” and “Happy Birthday Papa Rolly!”, we reflected on how we want each year of life to be lived intentionally: to give more, serve more, and accomplish God’s purposes for His glory. Our prayer is to finish strong, knowing that each added day is a chance to shine for Christ. 

Khmer Chess Match (Pich and David)

🍞 Family Bonding in the Kitchen

August was also full of time in the kitchen baking, cooking, and sharing meals together. These moments have become opportunities for family discipleship. In our blog “More than Bread,” we were reminded that food nourishes the body, but God’s Word nourishes the soul.

Even as we knead dough and prepare meals, we long for our son David to see how God’s Word sustains us daily. In the future, we hope to start deeper discipleship with him in the kitchen where everyday life and faith naturally meet.

👦 A New Season: Parenting a High Schooler

This month marked a big milestone in our family: David officially entered high school! As parents, this new phase is both exciting and humbling. We now have a teenager at home, and with that comes new challenges, new questions, and a greater need for wisdom from above. 

Side Hustle
Our High school dude's side hustle "Baking & Selling Brownies

In “What is God’s Great Gift to You?” we reflected on the precious gift of children. Parenting is a journey that constantly points us back to God’s guidance.

We also wrote in “How Do We Finish Well?” about the importance of staying faithful not just as parents, but as followers of Christ desiring that our son sees our faith lived out genuinely, even in our struggles.

And yes, we were even honest about our family’s vulnerability in “Are You Always on Time?” Punctuality may seem like a small thing, but it reflects discipline and respect for others. God often uses even these practical lessons to refine our hearts.

📚 BACII 2025: The Exam That Shapes Futures

Last week, thousands of Grade 12 students across Cambodia, took the Baccalaureate (BACII) Exam a national milestone that determines access to higher education and future careers. 

As a lecturer for more than a decade, I have seen the weight this exam carries for students and families. It was this very need that led us to start the Dormitory Ministry more than ten years ago: to provide a safe space for students coming from rural provinces, but more importantly, to introduce them to the love of Christ.

By God’s grace, the men’s and women’s dorms continue to serve as both study havens and spiritual homes. Students come for education but leave with something far more lasting an encounter with the transforming power of the gospel.

The challenges are real monthly rent, rising costs, and limited space. We are praying to welcome two new young ladies from Kandal province this year, but our resources only allow us to manage the two existing dorms. Still, we trust God. We dream of one day expanding with another house to bless more students who are seeking both education and truth.

Read more of our Dorm ministry here:

👉Living Out God’s Mission 

👉9 Practical Steps for Living Out Our Faith in Cambodia

👉The Hourngs in Cambodia! 

👉How Dormitory Ministries Are Changing Lives in Cambodia? 

🌱 Devotion: Ask God Honestly

In the face of exams, financial needs, and family responsibilities, where do we begin? We begin in prayer.

Because of Jesus, we don’t approach God as a distant deity but as our Father. We can come to Him with honesty our fears, our needs, our desires. Like a child talking to a loving parent, God invites us to share our hearts with Him.

This month, we are encouraged to ask God honestly:

🙏 Prayer Items for August

  1. Thanksgiving for Life – We praise God for the gift of birthdays. Pray that we may live each year with purpose, to serve and finish well for His glory.

  2. Family Growth – Pray for continued family discipleship, especially as David grows into his teenage years. May we guide him with wisdom and grace.

  3. Dorm Ministry – Pray for sustained provision for rent, utilities, and expansion. Pray for the students we disciple, that they may encounter Christ deeply.

  4. Financial Needs – Pray for wisdom and provision as we manage David's tuition fees, household needs, and support for a nephew living with us.

As we close August, our hearts are filled with gratitude and hope. Life, family, and ministry each bring their share of challenges, but also countless opportunities to see God’s hand at work. Thank you for praying with us, for encouraging us, and for walking alongside us in God’s mission here in Cambodia.

🛠️ How You Can Partner With Us

  • Prayer – Your intercession moves mountains!

  • Share – Forward this email to a friend who needs encouragement.

  • Give – Help sustain dorm ministries, outreach, and pastoral care. 

We’re so grateful for you. 

Together, we’re seeing lives changed for eternity in Cambodia!

P.S. Want to receive more updates? Check out our ministry Updates and monthly Newsletter or reply to this post by email with a prayer request we’d love to lift you up too! 

apastorswifeincambodia@gmail.com 👈


With love and thanksgiving,
Vandy, Tess, and David

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

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