The Hourngs in Cambodia!

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...

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...

We just came back from our much-awaited annual family retreat last week. It was refreshing and soul-lifting. I praise God for the chance to slow down, to laugh and talk and enjoy each other’s company without rushing. We made it a goal to set a time each year just for this to pause, reflect, and be reminded of God’s purpose in our family. David, our son, looks forward to this trip because he gets all our attention. We plan our retreat during school breaks and in the middle of the year, even if it costs quite a bit. It’s worth it. June is not just our family trip month, it’s also durian season and David’s birthday! It gets expensive transport, food, accommodation but we save up for it. My husband Vandy is a great planner. While I’m more of the spontaneous type (and yes, a spender!), he balances me out. We save for this retreat every month, so when the time comes, it’s not a burden. Vandy books early, during low season, for discounts. David and I just show up and enjoy the hard part, th...

👉 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 ...

The Light of Jesus in Cambodia Last month, I had the privilege of joining our university students on a study trip to Kampong Chhnang. It was a full-day trip designed for them to conduct integrated fieldwork for their midterm projects. Though I had previously excused myself from such trips due to my MBA classes , this time, I was eager to observe their project work, particularly in my module on Communication Skills. The students were divided into groups to observe and document cultural and social practices in the countryside. Many of our students come from well-off families, known as Neak Mean in Khmer. Their backgrounds afford them a comfortable life, and some even admitted that this trip was their first real exposure to rural communities. They had never visited primary schools in the countryside, interacted with village children, or witnessed the realities of life outside the city. To make the experience more meaningful, our students participated in a small charity event, distributin...

Kampot has always been one of our family's favorite places to visit. Just a few hours from Phnom Penh, it offers a peaceful escape from the busyness of the city. The stunning Durian hill landscapes, the cool breeze from the river, the stunning fireflies on a ferry ride, and the breathtaking sunset always make us pause and reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. There is something about nature that brings us closer to Him, reminding us to rest in His presence and trust in His unfailing love. Our Kampot getaway won't be complete without visiting the Durian Farm and it's so happened the Kamchay Dam is located. The massive boulders surrounding the river and the force of the water released from the dam remind me of the verse in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) Just like the unpredictable flow of water near the dam, life is filled with...

This month of November is extra special for us at PPC. Our hearts remain full of gratitude and joy as we reflect on God's amazing work during those two days of fellowship, worship, and commitment. Our retreat marked a special milestone for Phnom Penh Church (PPC). Held at the serene and picturesque coastline of Sihanoukville, it was more than just a getaway—it was a sacred opportunity to strengthen our bond as a church family, renew our commitment to the Lord, and celebrate life-changing decisions through water baptism. But before we dive into the highlights, let me first apologize for my absence on social media recently. Life got busy with looming work deadlines, and I also went through a season of illness that left me drained. Yet, in those challenging weeks, I was reminded of God’s promise of healing and restoration. Praise God for better health now, and I pray for His continuous strength and recovery as I resume sharing the goodness of His work in and through our lives. A Trib...