The Hourngs in Cambodia!

Dormitory Ministries in Cambodia What a beautiful way to wrap up January 2026. As we step into a new year, our hearts are full of gratitude. There is no other way to say it. God has been kind to us in ways we did not expect and in moments we did not plan. We praise Him for the favor, the strength, and the grace He has poured out as we begin another year of serving Him here in Cambodia. This past month reminded us again that every single day is a gift. Waking up, serving, loving, teaching, parenting, cooking, praying, and persevering are all made possible only by God’s grace. There were moments when the road felt steady and moments when it felt uncertain, but in every step, God was present. We want to thank you for standing with us. For praying for us. For reading our blogs and walking with us through this season of ministry and family life. Whether you are near or far, whether you have met us in person or only through words on a screen, your prayers matter more than you know. This jour...

A few Sundays ago, our church gathered for something we had never done before. We officially sent off our missionary friends, Pastor Mark and sister Hyangsuk , to a new mission field in Kampot province. It was their new calling, and yet it felt like our calling too. They asked the church to pray for them, so we did. We laid our hands on them, prayed together, and cried together. It was simple, quiet, and deeply moving. Our dorm men and women stood there watching, some with tears, some holding hands, all feeling the weight and beauty of the moment. Commissioning Sunday for Pastor Mark & Sis HyangSuk This was our first time holding a commissioning service. There was no stage, no big program, no long speeches. Just people who loved God and loved one another, standing in faith. In that moment, I felt the truth of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:21 settle deep in my heart. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Pastor Mark and sister Hyangsuk were not walking toward comfort o...

There is something about new life that humbles us. A tiny baby reminds us how small we are and how great God is. No matter how much we plan or prepare, life always reminds us that we are not in control. God is. Moments do not come with loud announcements or long explanations. They simply arrive and settle in our hearts. One of those moments came when I received a message from our dear sister Chhoryi. She sent me a short message, filled with excitement and wonder. She had given birth to a baby girl. A healthy, beautiful baby girl. Her name is Ratha Ling Ei, a name lovingly formed by combining the names of her parents, Ratha and Chhoryi. When I read that message, my heart felt full. I smiled without realizing it. I paused for a moment and whispered a quiet prayer of thanks.  Brother Ratha and pretty wife Chhoryi (young couple @PPC) Ratha and Chhoryi are one of our young couples at church. Ratha was part of the first group of young men who stayed in our dorm ministry. He lived th...

It is midterm break week at the university where I teach. For our students, it means rest. No classes. No quizzes. A pause from deadlines. For us lecturers, it means something else. It is grading week. Long hours reading exam papers. Checking assignments. Making sure we are fair, careful, and kind while still being honest with our standards. My body already felt tired before the week even started. We had just returned from a study trip to Kampong Chhnang over the weekend. It was beautiful, meaningful, and also exhausting. The kind of tired that settles deep in your bones. We ate so much during that trip that I joked I was in a food coma. Countryside food here is different. Fresh vegetables. Simple cooking. Familiar Khmer dishes with a different touch. Food that fills both the stomach and the heart. On Sunday, after our worship service at church, I rushed to attend a lunch invitation from my former students. They are now in their degree year. They invited me as one of their honored gu...

This week has been one of those weeks where everything seems to happen all at once. Our house has been full of movement, noise, laughter, tired bodies, and full hearts. It is busy in a good way, and yet busy enough to make me pause and reflect. We are thankful. Truly thankful. The two schools we have been praying for, AIS and Pannasastra, finally responded. They did not just respond politely. They placed orders for brownies . And then the orders doubled. What started as a small prayer suddenly became nonstop baking. Our kitchen turned into a workspace every night. After coming home from the university and sitting down for dinner, we no longer rested. We worked. All of us. David had already started measuring ingredients even before I arrived. He memorized the measurements. He is so good at it. Except for cracking eggs. He still dislikes that part, and I understand. Autism shows itself in small but real ways. So I step in there. After mixing everything together, Dad takes over. He tran...

There are moments when small things reveal deeper truths. For me, it is often something as simple as a phone battery running low. Honestly, I sometimes panic when my phone or laptop shows a low battery sign. Especially when I am working on something important. Or when I am in the middle of a meaningful conversation. I feel uneasy. Distracted. Rushed. I immediately start looking for a charger. In my mind, if my device shuts down, everything stops. I remember one time while teaching in class. I was explaining my lesson, sharing my thoughts, feeling confident and prepared. Then suddenly, my laptop turned off. It died. I knew I should have plugged it in earlier. The charger was right there. But I forgot. I stood there for a moment, embarrassed, trying to recover while my students waited.  Another time, I was in an online prayer meeting with my dear sister Hyangsuk. She was sharing from her heart. It was a sacred moment. Then I noticed my battery was down to three percent. My heart sank...