The Hourngs in Cambodia!

Have you ever been at a stage in life where you do not fully understand what is happening inside you? I am not even sure if I am ready to call it a midlife crisis . Maybe I am still in denial. All I know is that these past weeks, especially as we move closer to 2026, something inside me feels unsettled. It is vulnerable to even write this. I have kept a separate journal, trying to make sense of my thoughts and emotions. I debated whether to share this at all. This does not feel like a good story for a new year. It feels heavy. It feels messy. It may even sound shallow to some. But it is deep for me. I feel lost. Not put together. Not ready for whatever this season is asking of me. I have never been in this place before, and that alone makes it frightening. What makes it harder is that it feels like everything I care about is affected. My relationship with God feels fragile. My marriage feels tense. My connection with my son feels strained. Even my interactions with people around me fee...

Tonight is countdown night. Classes are still going on as usual today, but the campus feels different. Many of our students have already gone home. Some rushed to bus stations early this morning. Others quietly said their goodbyes yesterday, eager to be with their families before the year ends. The hallways feel lighter, quieter, almost like they are holding their breath. This year, Cambodia will not welcome the new year with fireworks . Even though a ceasefire has been agreed on just days ago regarding the border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, the government has chosen to remain cautious. There will be no large celebrations, no fireworks along the river. Safety comes first. Wisdom comes first. And maybe also compassion. Because how can we truly celebrate when so many are not home yet? Almost half a million people remain displaced near the borders. Families are still uncertain. Parents are still worried. Children are still adjusting to temporary shelters and unfamiliar places....

This Christmas season, our hearts have been drawn again to the familiar yet powerful words from Luke 2:8 to 10 . When the shepherds were watching their flocks at night, the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were afraid. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” These words feel especially meaningful this season. In a world filled with uncertainty, tension, and unanswered questions, God’s first message was comfort. Do not be afraid. Jesus has come. And because He has come, we have joy, peace, love, and hope that cannot be taken away. Jesus is the reason for this season. He is not only part of our celebration, He is the source of our joy. Our peace. Our love. Our hope.  Displaced Communities in Cambodia Here in Cambodia, December has been both meaningful and heavy. While we celebrated Christmas worship and rejoiced in what God is doing among our students, we are also aware of the ongoing border tensions betw...

Today is a holiday in Cambodia. It is Peace Day . This is actually a new holiday created just last year in 2024. When it was announced, many of us welcomed it with hope. A day meant to remind us that peace matters. A day to pause and reflect on unity, healing, and safety for our nation. And yet, who would have thought that this year, a border dispute with Thailand would take place so close to this very day. It feels ironic. Peace Day arrives while bombs have shaken border communities. Families have been displaced. Homes have been damaged. Fear has quietly entered places where children once played freely. For many, peace suddenly feels fragile and uncertain. In moments like this, staying silent does not feel right. As a family, and as part of a faith community, we felt a strong pull to do something. Even something small. We could not just watch from a distance and move on with our daily routines as if nothing was happening. These are not just headlines. These are real people. Mothers. ...

How did you prepare for Christmas this month? For us, Christmas did not begin with shopping lists or gift wrapping. It began with tired bodies, grateful hearts, and a simple joy that only God can give. Last week, we celebrated our Christmas worship at PPC. It was joyful, busy, tiring, and so worth it. We welcomed new faces, and once again, we were reminded why we serve. Not for programs or events, but for people. For souls. For the message of salvation that God wants everyone to hear. Vandy shared a heartfelt sermon on Luke 2:9-10, message of Jesus birth (purposeful reason), trusting God even in the midst of uncertainty we can have Joy, Hope, Love, & Peace.  We laughed. We were exhausted. We rejoiced. And most of all, we praised God for the chance to share His purpose of hope. I will share photos soon. I promise. Life has been full and busy, and I still do not have them ready. But even without photos, the moments are already deeply written in my heart.  Phnom Penh Church g...

This morning began like any ordinary day. I left early because it was the first day of my morning class at the university. I wanted to arrive on time, settle in, and prepare. What I did not expect was that God had a gentle reminder for me before the day even started. As I stepped into the elevator, everything felt normal. I pressed the floor button, waited a few seconds, and suddenly the entire lift went dark. There was no light at all. I could not see my own hands. I could not see my phone. I could not even see the elevator doors. It was complete darkness.  For a moment, I stood still. It would have been easy to panic. It was my first time ever being stuck inside an elevator, and I was alone. I knew no one could hear me. I could not call for help because I could not find my phone. And of course, the first thought that crossed my mind was that I would be late for class. I even laughed quietly at myself, thinking, Of all days, why today? But praise God. Instead of fear, God gave me ...

Last Sunday my husband Vandy preached a message at our church to help us prepare our hearts for this season. It was a simple but powerful reminder of what it means to live our lives in a way that reflects Christ. He encouraged us to love people intentionally, even the ones who misunderstand us or dislike us. He reminded us to reach out to our family and friends who do not yet know Christ and invite them to join us in the joy of celebrating Jesus. And he reminded us that we must shine as lights in a world that is becoming darker and more confused every day. As he spoke, I found myself thinking about the meaning of this name that was given to Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. Not God far away. Not God watching from a distance. But God here. God near. God with us. Those three words feel even more important today because the world is not calm. Many are hurting. Many nations are facing conflict. Many families feel fear, worry, or uncertainty. Even here in Cambodia we feel it. Even when the ...