The Hourngs in Cambodia!

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...

Charlie Kirk’s death has shaken many of us. Listening to Erika’s speech , watching how she honored him his faith, his love, his mission reminds us that life is fragile, purpose is real, and God’s call is urgent. We are ministering to university dormitories walking alongside students facing identity, pressure, doubt this moment holds lessons we cannot ignore. Read my previous post here  What is your Turning Point?  👈  Sharing with you six reflections and lessons, with practical applications for us in our ministry, and in our own lives.  May these move us to faith, action, and hope. 1. Faith Is Revealed in the Everyday, Not Just Grand Moments Reflection Erika said that every day Charlie asked her, “How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?”  He did not only live for the big platform or speeches. He lived faith in the small, daily acts of love and service. Life is not always about big events. Often faith is shown...

👉from Part 1 Is it okay to be disappointed? In our family, we believe it is. Disappointment is not something we hide from our son David. We actually see it as a way to grow. Recently, David tried to start a small chocolate crinkle cookie business. He was so excited, thinking people would buy it all day long. But things didn’t go as planned. Sales were poor, and he felt crushed. He even thought about giving up. One evening, he showed me a diagram he had made—his own little business analysis. He had written down what went wrong and what could be improved: people didn’t see the crinkles, the banner only showed spaghetti, and sales only happened at lunch and dinner. He even listed ideas for making it better. I was amazed. What looked like failure turned out to be a lesson. That night, we prayed as a family. We reminded David that even big businesses fail but learn to stand up again. And more importantly, we reminded him that disappointments can lead us back to God. Psalm 119:105 says...

The month of July has been both eventful and challenging for our family, our ministry, and Cambodia as a whole. Yet through it all, we stand in awe of God’s unwavering presence.  He never fails to fight for us, and never once has He left our side. Responding with Faith and Compassion Have you ever felt caught in the middle of conflict? These past weeks, tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border escalated into something that felt almost unreal. Though we live far from the direct danger in Phnom Penh, the fear, confusion, and heartbreak were impossible to ignore. Stories of families being displaced and soldiers being deployed spread rapidly. The atmosphere was heavy. You could see it on people’s faces: uncertainty, worry, and a deep concern for what lay ahead. Main Prayer Focus for the Week@PPC But in the middle of this national anxiety, something beautiful began to rise: compassion. Khmers rallied to support one another. Food, supplies, and encouragement were shared. Volunteers mo...

Celebrating Khmer New Year with Family We spent Khmer New Year in Kampong Cham with Vandy’s family. It’s always a special time—lots of laughter, food, and catching up with relatives. David had a blast playing with his cousins, especially during the water fights right outside their house (which, by the way, is in the perfect spot—right by the Koh Penh bridge!). Vandy’s parents run small shops—his mom has a little store where neighbors stop by, and his dad has the only vulcanizing shop on their street. It’s amazing how these simple places become gathering spots for people. David even practiced his Khmer with customers and new friends! We also invited Vandy’s sisters and their families over for a spaghetti feast. Food has a way of bringing people together, and it’s one of the easiest ways we can show God’s love in small, tangible ways. Reflecting During Passion Week This month, we also took time to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. I followed a prayer journal for Passion Week,...

👉 Get your FREE  Passion Week Devotional   Passion Week is the most important time of the year for us as Christians—a time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and celebrate His resurrection. It’s the heart of our faith! While in the Philippines (and many Christian nations), that week is a big holiday filled with prayer and reflection, here in Cambodia—a Buddhist country—it’s just an ordinary week. But as a local church, we intentionally set aside this time to focus on Jesus. Even though life goes on as usual (work, school, Khmer New Year travels), we can still make this week special by slowing down, opening our hearts to God, and remembering what Jesus did for us. This year, Passion Week falls during  Khmer New Year (April 13-20) —a time when most Cambodians travel to visit family. Our family will also be in  Kampong Cham , Vandy’s hometown. But even in the middle of celebrations, we want to keep our hearts fixed on Jesus. For me, Passion Week has always been ...

👉 Get your  FREE Devotional ( 7-day prayer journal for the Passion week ) As the new week unfolds, our family eagerly anticipates two significant celebrations: Khmer New Year and the Passion Week . It’s a rare moment when these two events align, and this year, we are especially mindful of how we can embrace both. As followers of Christ, we hold the death and resurrection of Jesus at the center of our faith. Yet, as a family living in Cambodia, we also seek to honor and connect with our loved ones who celebrate Khmer New Year, a time deeply embedded in their cultural and religious traditions. This year, as we travel to my husband's hometown in Kampong Cham province, our hearts are drawn to Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” These words serve as a guiding light for us, especially as we step into an environment where Buddhist traditions run deep. How do we celebr...