The Hourngs in Cambodia!

At PPC church during Offertory with David: I can't believe my son is teaching me how to have a heart that gives freely! As a family serving in Cambodia, we have always held on to one simple belief. God has blessed us so that we can be a 👉  blessing to others . Not only to those who already know Him, but especially to those who have yet to know Christ. We say this often. We pray about it. We try to live it out in small, daily ways. And this week, we saw it come alive through our son David in such a beautiful and unexpected way. There are moments in parenting that quietly stay in your heart. Not because they are grand or extraordinary, but because they reveal something deeper. Something eternal. Something that reminds you that God is truly at work in your home. This week was one of those moments for me. A Simple Beginning When David was younger, giving was something we taught him in a very simple way. Every Sunday, when the offering pouch was passed around, I would quietly give him ...

It is always refreshing to end the week with a reminder from God’s Word that gently brings our hearts back to what truly matters. Life has a way of filling our minds with worries about finances, responsibilities, and the future. Yet in the middle of all these concerns, Scripture reminds us that our relationship with money is deeply connected to the condition of our hearts. Today’s devotion brings us to 2 Corinthians 9:7 , which says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This verse has been quietly shaping the way our family thinks about finances, generosity, and contentment over the years. It also reminds us that living below our means is not simply a financial strategy. It is a spiritual practice. It teaches us trust. It cultivates gratitude. And it opens our hands so that we can bless others. As I reflect on this today, I find myself thinking about our own journey as a family servin...

Last night, during our prayer before bed, our little family of three ended up laughing more than we expected. We were supposed to pray and sleep early. But as we sat together, stories started flowing. Stories about our childhood. Stories about hardship. Stories about scars. David laughed the hardest. He could not believe how different our lives were when we were his age. He and his cousin Pich live in a generation filled with technology, comfort, and convenience. We grew up in a very different world. We told him how we never said we were bored. There was always something to do. If we did not have toys, we made our own games. We created fun out of nothing. We climbed trees. We ran barefoot. We worked. My husband shared how, as the only boy among three sisters, he had responsibilities early in life. His job was to fill five large clay jars with water for cooking and washing. He fetched water from the Mekong River in front of their house. Every day. At eight years old, he learned how to...

Years ago, during the height of the Covid pandemic, we made a long trip that I will never forget. My mother in law insisted that we visit Vandy’s relatives in Mondulkiri . She was worried. She said we did not know what would happen next. What if sickness spread more. What if she would never see them again. As a mother and grandmother, her heart was heavy. Mondulkiri is at least eight hours away from Phnom Penh. It was a long drive from Vandy’s hometown. Roads stretched far. Mountains rolled in the distance. But we went. We went to honor Mayey , which means grandma in Khmer. We went because love sometimes looks like obedience. That trip became more than a family visit. It became a lesson about endurance. When we arrived, they welcomed us with joy. For them, it was amazing that foreigners like me and David came to their home. They were fascinated that we spoke English. It was their first time hosting someone from another country. They prepared their best for us. Wild meat dried like jerk...

I do not know the dynamics of your family when somebody gets sick. Every home has its own way of responding to weakness, pain, or illness. Here in Cambodia, especially in our home, we seldom go to doctors. This may sound unusual to some, but it is something we have practiced for years with care and prayer. We believe deeply that prevention is better than cure. We only resort to medicine if all our home remedies do not work or if symptoms persist and worsen. This practice is not rooted in fear of medicine but in gratitude for what God has already provided through nature, wisdom, and simple daily discipline. Living in Cambodia has taught us to slow down, observe our bodies, and listen carefully when something feels off. We are surrounded by fresh produce, herbs, roots, and fruits that are easily accessible, affordable, and life giving. We praise God for that provision. My husband Vandy used to work as a translator for medical teams during medical missions across Cambodia when he was stil...