The Hourngs in Cambodia!

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....

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...

It’s a long holiday week here in Cambodia the Bon Om Touk or  Water Festival , one of the most celebrated national holidays. Usually, Phnom Penh becomes a lively place during this time. The streets fill with people from all over the country, and even visitors from other nations come to watch the boat races along the Tonle Sap River. Each province sends its own team to represent them, and everyone gathers in front of the Royal Palace to cheer for their favorites. At night, the sky usually lights up with fireworks that reflect beautifully over the river. The King and his royal family join the people in celebrating, watching from the Royal Palace balcony. It’s one of those moments that remind everyone of the unity, joy, and cultural pride that Cambodians share. However, this year feels different. The government announced that the festival would be cancelled for safety reasons. Cambodia is currently undergoing peace talks regarding border concerns with Thailand and is also managing a...

We praise God for the blessing of holidays spent with family, for opportunities to reconnect with loved ones, and for the chance to witness again how His grace is working in our lives. This past month has been full of moments that reminded me of God’s goodness not only in celebrations but also in challenges that stretched our faith and deepened our trust in Him. We had the joy of spending time with Vandy’s side of the family during the Pchum Benh holidays. For those of you who might not be familiar, this is a deeply important holiday in Cambodia, filled with traditions and gatherings. For us as believers, it also becomes an opportunity to live out and share our faith in quiet but intentional ways, showing God’s love through our presence and our prayers. At the same time, September has been a month of reflection in our family and ministry. There were lessons in disappointment, reminders of God’s provision, deep reflections on eternity, and moments where Christ’s firm foundation carried...

We are back from the long Pchum Benh break in Kampong Cham, and my heart is still full from the time we spent with family and friends. It was a meaningful trip on so many levels. We had a wonderful time with Vandy’s side of the family, and despite the heavy rains that poured throughout the week, nothing could stop us from celebrating the holidays the Khmer way. The table was always full. Plates of steaming Khmer food were passed around. Freshly harvested fruits made their way from farm to plate in a matter of hours. And of course, there were the traditional rice cakes my in-laws prepared "ansoum and numkom" which they always make ahead of Pchum Benh. These cakes are not only for the family to enjoy but also to be brought to the pagoda by Kong kong as offerings for ancestors, to be blessed by monks. If you’ve read my previous reflections  👈 you know that Pchum Benh is one of Cambodia’s most sacred festivals, rooted in Buddhist tradition. While as Christians we do not practic...

For many Khmer families, Pchum Benh is the most important religious and cultural event of the year. It is a time of remembrance, of obligations, and of traditions passed down from one generation to another. For us as Christians, it is also a time to live out our faith in a way that honors family while holding firmly to the hope we have in Christ. The ride from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham takes a few hours. Along the way, the scenery changes from the busy chaos of the city to the slower pace of the countryside. We pass rice fields stretching endlessly on both sides of the road, dotted with farmers wearing wide-brimmed hats and "krama" Khmer scarf. The smell of grilled meat and sticky rice from roadside stalls drifts into the car. David, always curious, points out the cows grazing lazily and the small children running barefoot along the dusty paths. In these moments, I silently pray. “Lord, prepare our hearts. Help us to shine Your light as we visit Vandy’s family. Help us n...