The Hourngs in Cambodia!

A Quiet Reflection in the Midst of a Busy Day Today is Good Friday. And yet, for me, it felt like any other busy workday at the university. The semester is coming to an end, and like many lecturers and staff, we are all rushing to complete final grades, assessments, and reports. This morning alone, I found myself going from one task to another. I had to make sure that all lecturers in our department had completed their grading and properly submitted everything into the system. It was one of those mornings where your mind is constantly ticking, checking, reminding, organizing. At the same time, I was also helping prepare for our end of school lunch gathering for the academics and staff. This is something I have been tasked to do every year, and honestly, I gladly do it. It brings me joy to see our lecturers relax, laugh, and enjoy a moment of rest after a long and tiring season of teaching, checking papers, and meeting deadlines. There is something special about seeing people loosen up ...

Mission Field as a single missionary (Teaching English in Kratie Province 2007) Whenever I encounter Hebrews 12:1, my heart goes back to papa Rolly . Not because it is a famous verse or something I memorized for the mission training, but because his life quietly lived this verse long before I understood it. When I read about running the race with perseverance, about witnesses who have gone before us, I see him clearly. I see his choices, his obedience, his steady faith, and his simple love for God and people. Papa retired early the moment I graduated from college. At a season when many would choose rest, comfort, or personal plans, he chose obedience. He decided to move with mama to her province and plant a small house church there. His heart was clear. He wanted mama’s relatives to know Christ. He wanted the gospel to reach our own family. It was not an easy decision. Leaving familiarity never is. Starting something new with no promise of comfort or success takes courage. But papa obe...

It is midterm break week at the university where I teach. For our students, it means rest. No classes. No quizzes. A pause from deadlines. For us lecturers, it means something else. It is grading week. Long hours reading exam papers. Checking assignments. Making sure we are fair, careful, and kind while still being honest with our standards. My body already felt tired before the week even started. We had just returned from a study trip to Kampong Chhnang over the weekend. It was beautiful, meaningful, and also exhausting. The kind of tired that settles deep in your bones. We ate so much during that trip that I joked I was in a food coma. Countryside food here is different. Fresh vegetables. Simple cooking. Familiar Khmer dishes with a different touch. Food that fills both the stomach and the heart. On Sunday, after our worship service at church, I rushed to attend a lunch invitation from my former students. They are now in their degree year. They invited me as one of their honored gu...

David's Display Kiosk (Unmanned) at Limkokwing University Last week was a hectic week for us both in our home and at the university as we wrapped up the semester. We have never baked that many brownies, cookies, and Oreo banana bread before! I couldn’t help but smile thinking how our small kitchen turned into what felt like a mini bakeshop. The sweet aroma of chocolate brownies and bananas filled the house, and though it was tiring, it was also joyful. Praise God for the opportunity for David’s brownies to join our school’s cultural event. It was all by His grace that we managed to pull it off. Everything happened so quickly. My boss called over the weekend and asked if my son could sell his goodies at the event. It was a last-minute invitation, but I didn’t want to say no. My colleagues had tried David’s brownies before when I brought some to the faculty room, and they encouraged me to let him join. They said, “Your son’s brownies are really good! Let him sell them.” The only prob...

The university semester is ending soon, and we have had lots of activities in and out of our campus. Few weeks ago, we brought our students on our university’s annual study trip to Siem Reap. Every year, this trip feels like both a mountain climb and a mountain top. It is exhausting, exhilarating, and always filled with surprises. It is also one of those moments that stretches not just the students, but us lecturers as well. This year’s program was different from the past. We designed it with more intention, adding activities that went beyond the tourist attractions. Of course, we still visited the famous Angkor Wat, but we wanted the trip to be more than sightseeing. We wanted it to be an opportunity for students to see life with fresh eyes, to witness realities outside the walls of their classrooms, and to experience moments that would open their hearts to the needs of others.  Siemreap 2025 - Photos credit to Limkokwing University Discovering Life Beyond the City One of the hi...

I have a confession to make. I am not always on time. Yes, I said it. My husband, Vandy, would probably smile while reading this because he has spent years gently (and sometimes not so gently) reminding me about the importance of punctuality. One of the wonderful traits I admire and sometimes find challenging about him is his deep respect for time. He values it so much that we have had our share of small arguments over it. He has this principle: “It is better to wait than let people wait for you.” At first, I thought that was just his personality, but over the years I’ve realized it’s more than that. For him, being on time is about showing respect, valuing people, and honoring them by being fully present when you say you will. The Gift of Being On Time When you are on time, you are silently telling someone, “You matter to me. Your time matters to me. I came prepared to meet you, and I honor your presence.” Being punctual also says something about your character. And whether we like it...