Abundant Grace in Friendship

Our Ading Jireh!

“A week ago, we met with Jireh.”
Even as I write those words, I smile.

It was her second time visiting Cambodia. This time, she came to attend dear sister Ygernie’s wedding. But for us, her visit meant more than just an event. It meant connection. It meant laughter. It meant remembering who we are and how God has been faithful through the years.

I call her “ading,” an Ilokano word for younger sister. I first met her in a Youth Congress in Baguio, months before I flew to Cambodia in 2007 as a single missionary. I did not know then that God was quietly weaving friendships that would sustain us years later in the mission field.

Little did I know, she was also Vandy’s classmate at Wesleyan Bible College in Rosales, Pangasinan. What a small world. What a faithful God.

We clicked right away. There was something simple and warm about her. We spent just a few days together back then, but the bond felt real and special. It was not loud or dramatic. It was quiet and steady. The kind of friendship that makes you feel at home.

Years passed. Life happened. Ministry happened. Marriage happened. Motherhood happened.

And yet, the friendship remained.

I am grateful for social media. Even if we are not always talking regularly, we follow each other’s lives. We catch up through Instagram and Messenger. Since my husband is not on social media, I am always the one updating him about his batchmates. Sometimes I feel like the unofficial news reporter in our house.

But the truth is, Jireh has been the real connector.

She is the one who helped reconnect almost all their classmates, both in and outside the Philippines. When we last visited home, their batch gathered for a reunion. There was laughter. There were stories. There were testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

That reunion sparked something beautiful. They even created a group chat called “Faithful till the end.” Most of the conversations are in Ilokano. I understand only a little, so sometimes I struggle to translate for Vandy. We laugh about it. It reminds me that friendships do not need perfect language. They need faithful hearts.

We love Jireh dearly. She is the glue that binds everyone. Without her, it would have been difficult to reconnect.

Last Friday, we had another short but sweet meet up here in Cambodia. Just dinner and coffee. Nothing fancy. Just presence. Pastor Greg was able to join us too, and that made it even more meaningful.

We talked about everything. Funny stories. Ministry struggles. Family life. Even our beloved Philippines. There is something comforting about speaking of home while living in another land. It reminds you that you belong somewhere, even while serving somewhere else.

Jireh came for her best friend’s wedding. Ygernie is very special to us too. She was one of the early worship leaders at PPC. Seeing her step into another season of life fills our hearts with joy. I quietly pray that someday we will reconnect again more deeply.

But that night, we had gratitude.

Gratitude for friendship.
Gratitude for faith.
Gratitude for a God who sustains.

Jireh's Pasalubong: Yummy goodies from Baguio City! (Fresh Strawberry Jam & Lengua de Gato) Gone the next day!

An Abundance of Grace in Friendship
As I reflected after that dinner, one verse stayed in my heart.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8

This verse is often quoted when we talk about blessings. Many of us pray for blessing. I do too. Especially living in the mission field, there are many needs. Financial needs. Emotional needs. Physical strength. Grace for parenting. Wisdom for ministry.

But when I read this verse again, I was reminded of something deeper.

God blesses us so that we can bless others.

The verses before this talk about cheerful giving. Not giving out of pressure. Not giving out of duty. But giving with joy.

Paul was reminding the church that God’s abundance is not for comfort alone. It is for purpose. It is so we can abound in every good work.

As I think of ading Jireh, I see 2 Corinthians 9:8 lived out in simple and quiet ways.

She is generous with her time.
She is generous with her heart.
She is generous in connecting people.
She is generous in obedience to God.

Pastor Greg posted something on his FB page the next day. He said that Jireh responded well to God’s prompting. Not loudly. Not for attention. But quietly and obediently. When he drove Jireh in the airport that morning, ading Jireh gave him something. She said, "I felt led to give you that. It’s not my money; it’s God’s." read the post 👉 here

That kind of obedience and discernment is worth copying.

In a world where everything is announced and displayed, it is refreshing to see someone obey God in a gentle way.

I also appreciate her joy in this season of singleness. She is happy. She travels freely. She is not afraid to travel alone. That courage inspires me. It reminds me that every season, married or single, has its own beauty when surrendered to Christ.

For those of you reading this who are waiting in some area of your life, waiting for marriage, waiting for direction, waiting for open doors, I want to say this gently.

God is able.

He is able to bless you abundantly. Not only with things, but with contentment. With purpose. With friendships that strengthen your soul.

Sometimes we think blessing means a change in status. But sometimes blessing means deep peace in the present season.

Our friendship with Jireh is a picture of that abundance.

It may not be regular conversations. It may not be constant visits. But it is steady. It is rooted in Christ.

And that makes all the difference.

Let me share five things I truly appreciate about our ading Jireh.

First, her heart to connect people.
She does not let relationships fade easily. She takes initiative. She reaches out. She gathers classmates. She starts group chats. She organizes reunions. That takes effort. It takes love. In ministry, relationships are precious. Her effort keeps bonds alive.

Second, her cheerful spirit.
Her presence brings lightness. Not shallow happiness, but real joy in Christ. When she is around, conversations flow easily. Laughter comes naturally. Even when talking about struggles, there is hope in her tone.

Third, her quiet obedience to God.
She listens. She responds. Not for applause. Not for recognition. Just a simple yes to the Lord. That kind of life speaks louder than many sermons.

Fourth, her contentment in her season.
She is single, yet full. Free to travel. Brave enough to travel alone. Open to what God wants. That courage encourages many, especially women who sometimes feel pressured by timelines.

Fifth, her generous friendship.
She shows up. Even for short dinners. Even for coffee. Even for weddings. Presence is a gift. And she gives it freely.

As I reflect on 2 Corinthians 9:8 and on this friendship, I see how God’s abundance flows through people.

We often pray, “Lord bless us.” But what if God’s answer to that prayer is a friend?
A friend who reminds you of home.
A friend who strengthens your calling.
A friend who models quiet faithfulness.

For those of you serving in ministry, in season and out of season, you know how important these friendships are. There are days when ministry feels heavy. Days when you question if what you are doing matters. Days when you miss home deeply.

Then God sends encouragement. Sometimes through a message. Sometimes through a visit. Sometimes through dinner and coffee with a sister in Christ.

That is abundance.

And to those who are not in full time ministry but are simply walking through life’s waiting seasons, please remember this.

God’s blessings are not always loud. They are often relational. They are found in community. They are seen in people who walk with you.

If you feel alone today, pray for God to send you one faithful friend. And also pray that you become that friend to someone else.

Because abundance grows when we give.

Let me summarize this simple devotional that has been in my heart.

God is the source of every good thing. We do not truly own anything. Our time, our talents, our money, our friendships, all are gifts from Him. 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us that God is able to bless us abundantly so that we will have what we need to do good works.

The verses before it teach us to be cheerful givers. Not forced. Not pressured. But joyful.

God blesses us not just for comfort, but for purpose. He gives so that we can give. He fills so that we can pour out.

We can give through tithing. We can give to those in need. We can give our time, our skills, our presence. And when giving becomes joy instead of duty, we begin to see God’s hand in new ways.

So the next time we pray for blessing, let us also ask, “Lord, how can I bless someone today?”

In our case, God blessed us with a friend named Jireh.

Ading, if you are reading this, we are so thankful for you.

Thank you for keeping the batch connected.
Thank you for your laughter.
Thank you for your quiet obedience.
Thank you for loving Ygernie deeply.
Thank you for loving us in the mission field.

We hope to see you again in the Philippines in April (God willing). Until then, know that you carry a piece of our hearts here in Cambodia.

Let me end with this prayer for you.

Father God,

Thank You for Jireh. Thank You for the gift of her life. Thank You for the way You have shaped her heart to love, to connect, and to obey You quietly.

Lord, as Your Word says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, You are able to bless abundantly. I pray that You surround her with all that she needs in every season. Fill her with deep joy that does not depend on circumstances. Guard her as she travels. Strengthen her faith as she waits on You.

Bless the work of her hands. Guide her decisions. Keep her sensitive to Your voice. May she continue to be a blessing to many, just as she has been to us.

If You have new doors for her, open them clearly. If You are asking her to wait, give her peace. May she always feel how deeply she is loved by You.

Thank You for friendships that point us back to Christ. Thank You for reminding us that Your abundance often comes through people.

We entrust her to You with grateful hearts.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bless your heart more ading!
The Hourngs in Cambodia 💗🙏