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....

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...

There are days when the Bible speaks so directly to our heart that we know it is exactly what we need at that moment. Today is that kind of day for me. Our verse is from 2 Timothy 1:7. It says that God did not give us a spirit that makes us timid. Instead He gave us power love and self discipline. This verse stays with me as I write today. I can see how much I need this truth in my life as a mother, as a wife, as a servant of God, as a lecturer, and as a simple believer learning each day what it means to walk with Jesus. Yesterday’s little moment with our son David helped me see this truth in action. We always try to be intentional in teaching him values. But most of the time we know very well that talking alone is not enough. If we only speak without showing, he will not listen or understand. We have learned again and again that the best lessons come from example. God keeps reminding me of something simple. I must live out the values I want him to learn. I must be quick to listen, slo...

I don’t know for some reason, God’s Word really comes at the perfect timing. It’s like He has His own divine way of setting things in motion. Sometimes I joke that God has His own “algorithm” He knows exactly what we’re thinking about, even before we open our Bible app or pray about it. Just this morning, during my usual devotion time on my tuktuk ride to work, I opened my YouVersion app to read and reflect. The topic for today stunned me because it connected so perfectly to what my husband, Vandy, and I had talked about the night before. Isn’t it amazing how God’s Spirit moves and speaks to us in such personal ways? Last night, before we prayed as a family, Vandy suddenly asked me a question that took me back to a painful chapter of my life. “Why didn’t your family pursue your papa’s robbery case?” he asked. “Those people who did that to him should have been punished.” His question brought back memories I hadn’t revisited in a long while. The Pain of Losing Papa My papa, Rolly , was ...

As a family, we’ve been serving the Lord here in Cambodia for over a decade. Looking back, it’s only by His grace that we are still doing what He has called us to do. We have simply depended on God’s quiet provision through our jobs and side hustles. We are grateful to our friends who would sometimes surprise us with their gifts. And we value and honor God for we know that's also one of the ways He would meet our needs. 👉  Our "Love Project" 🥰💕🙏🍪🍰🎂🧁   Psalm 127:2 says, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.” This verse is like a warm blanket to us, especially when the worries of tomorrow try to steal our rest. We don’t live stress-free lives. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, and ministry responsibilities that don’t pause. But we have learned something valuable over the years: when God is our provider, we can rest. Not because everything is perfect, but because everythin...

This might sound like a strange question, especially in a culture where we often encourage ourselves and our children to “stay positive” and “look on the bright side.” But what about those moments when things don’t go as planned? When the effort has been poured in, the hopes were high, and yet the results are not what we imagined? In our household, we believe it is not only okay but also necessary to allow space for disappointment. I know this might sound unusual. For some, discouragement feels like weakness, something we should avoid or quickly cover up. But over the years, especially as young parents, we have learned that disappointments can become classrooms where faith grows, where character is shaped, and where God’s light shines brightest. Our son David recently experienced this in a very real way through something as simple as his chocolate crinkle cookie business . What began as a small home project turned into an unexpected life lesson, not only for him but for all of us as ...