The Hourngs in Cambodia!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Even though Cambodia does not officially celebrate Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or Christmas, it is still a joyful season. I find it beautiful that even in a country shaped deeply by Buddhist culture, people are very welcoming of celebrations that speak of joy, giving, and togetherness. Malls decorate their spaces. Restaurants offer special meals. Even food delivery apps join in. It is mainly for business and economic purposes, but still, it creates a sense of warmth. Meanwhile, universities and local schools across the country continue with normal schedules. No holiday or break. This includes the university where I teach, which is why I continue teaching while friends and family in other countries enjoy long weekends and feasts. Still, we give thanks. God does not need a national holiday for us to remember His goodness. Gratitude is not tied to a calendar. It is tied to the heart. Looking Forward to Christmas at PPC While the country keeps moving as us...

There are days when the Bible speaks so directly to our heart that we know it is exactly what we need at that moment. Today is that kind of day for me. Our verse is from 2 Timothy 1:7. It says that God did not give us a spirit that makes us timid. Instead He gave us power love and self discipline. This verse stays with me as I write today. I can see how much I need this truth in my life as a mother, as a wife, as a servant of God, as a lecturer, and as a simple believer learning each day what it means to walk with Jesus. Yesterday’s little moment with our son David helped me see this truth in action. We always try to be intentional in teaching him values. But most of the time we know very well that talking alone is not enough. If we only speak without showing, he will not listen or understand. We have learned again and again that the best lessons come from example. God keeps reminding me of something simple. I must live out the values I want him to learn. I must be quick to listen, slo...

For many years now, one of the tools that has helped me stay connected with God every day is the YouVersion Bible app . I am truly thankful for it. It is simple to use and it reminds me daily to spend intentional time with God. I read guided devotionals in the morning as I hop on my tuktuk, and I listen to the audio Bible during quiet moments. I have been using it for five years now and it has helped me catch up and finish my Bible reading and listening goals. It also shapes what I share with the young woman I disciple, Sheryl. I am amazed by how God uses this small tool in my hand to speak to me in a very personal way, almost like He is sitting beside me whispering truth into my heart. Most of my morning prayers flow from the devotional I read and the Bible verse of the day. Many times I write them down in my journal. If you have been following my blog, you already know that I write about family, our dorm ministry, Cambodian culture, and the simple moments of life that God uses to tea...

Yesterday, my husband, Vandy, started a new sermon series in preparation for our Christmas celebration. The message was simple: How Can We Show God's Love?  Christ loved us, and we ought to share this love with others especially to the unbelievers. Christmas should never be separated from the purpose of Jesus coming into the world. He came so we can know God’s love and share this love with those around us. As Christians, we represent the Savior through our actions, our responses, our words, and even our character. Sometimes people will experience Jesus not through a sermon, not through a Bible study, but through a meal we share, a visit we make, or a simple act of kindness that reflects His heart. David's Brownies being sold at 66 Coffee Vandy shared a story that moved many of us. It was about a friend we knew many years ago, someone who owns a small coffee shop near our previous apartment. Back then, we would stop by her shop, order a drink, exchange smiles, talk about life in...

It has been more than 15 years since our family first answered God’s call to serve in Phnom Penh.  Looking back, it’s amazing how time has passed and how much the Lord has done in and through this ministry. When we first came and moved to the city to serve in a Bible School , we had nothing but faith in our hearts and a deep desire to serve the Lord among the Khmer people. Eventually God lead us here, we didn’t know exactly what the journey would look like, but we trusted that God would lead the way. Read Previous Posts:  Bible School 👈 Our first mission field in Kratie, Cambodia 👈 Trusting God's Quiet Provision 👈👈 Today, as I write this from our home in Phnom Penh, I can’t help but thank God for His goodness. Every year has been a story of His grace, and every challenge has become an opportunity to see His faithfulness unfold. Our family has been serving faithfully with Phnom Penh Church (PPC) for over a decade now. Our calling is simple yet deeply meaningful to disci...

In my previous post, I shared how baking bread taught me about the beauty of resting and rising  👈 . It reminded me that God often works quietly in us, much like yeast working in the dough. Today, I want to continue that story by sharing another favorite recipe that’s close to my heart,  Cinnamon Rolls . But more than just the aroma and sweetness they bring, there’s something deeper that connects this baking process with one of the most powerful verses in the Bible: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 This verse has been such a comfort to me in many seasons of life especially in moments when I felt weak, tired, or uncertain. Sometimes, grace doesn’t look like strength we show others; it looks like God gently holding us together when we feel like falling apart. And, believe it or not, baking cinnamon rolls became one of those quiet lessons where I saw His grace at work. The Aroma of Grace There’s something irr...