The Hourngs in Cambodia!

Bong Pich (big brother Pich) David’s been wanting to have siblings.  We told him to pray 🙏 and ask God for His will. We actually encourage him to keep his hope open that if ever God might send him siblings that might be coming from other mommy’s tummy or other family.  Honestly, Vandy and I are definitely open for “adoption”. I know it’s a big move to take, but we know God has something to do with this. Making a difference to the lives of people around us would mean loving them unconditionally like how God is loving us.  What makes it even more fulfilling is to open our home for them and make them part of our own family.  Our ministry right now is directing much not only in the church but mostly to our dormitories - we are giving our time, love, and even our resources to them because we know they need a family here in the city. We are more than willing to be their spiritual parents.  And it so happened that one of our nephews (Vandy's side of the family) need a...

My temporal happiness! When I was still working in a corporate world in Makati, my main goal was to work hard, get promoted and offered a higher salary, so I could support my siblings, to buy anything I like and eat everything I want.  These are just typical wants and dreams of a "newly graduate" me.  I was on fire chasing dreams after dreams! I felt happy for wanting more but then soon I realized these wants were just temporal happiness. I even became greedy for always wanting more and for not being contented - I get disappointed easily.  I got lost somehow. ENTANGLED In the process, I started to compare myself to others that were more successful than me.  I was in denial at first because my greediness seemed just silent desires not something big. And then it began to creep.. I wanted more validation, better status, and more comfort.  Somehow, I knew this was not a good place to be. I struggled. I felt ENTANGLED! I felt twisted and complicated inside ...

                             Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God .  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 A Jungle house! I love plants 💚😁😅 a lot. This hobby perhaps has become my relaxing activity aside from baking I guess. On a weekend, you will see me doing something in the garden, I even make my own organic fertilizer using kitchen scraps. My husband sometimes would tell me I'm overboard with it - I have made our house into a jungle that's what he describes it!  🌳😂 I have many kinds: from flowering buds, climbing, dangling plants, herbs, vegetables and even fruits like mangoes! My plants are usually a wonderful conversational starter whenever we have visitors at home. They would be amazed on how plants co...

My mission to Cambodia 🇰🇭 newsletter 2007 A few days ago, Pastora Lanie Caisip (lay pastor in Bologna, Italy) forwarded this picture to me.  I felt ecstatic about it! this has been more than a decade. I think it was apart from my newsletter a few months before I flew to Cambodia for my mission journey.  I was soliciting for prayers then (1-minute prayer shield!). Lanie said she kept it for a long time - that was a sweet and unexpected gesture to beat. Honestly, I have not even kept any of those letters anymore. It just warms my heart to the bits.  Pastora Lanie has not forgotten our deep connection way back. She was studying in the Bible school back then - I knew for sure God has been putting passion in my heart to help her out. So even with my tiny earnings, I have pledged to save some to send her small support (actually it didn't have to be money but mostly prayers, food/snacks, other supplies). I didn't think it was even a burden but a love for the people that God wi...

Rehearsal Dinner Our missionary friends - uncle Mark and Hyangsuk got married last Saturday. Prior to that, they have arranged a special dinner with us friends & families who have helped in preparing for their big day. We love them both, so it's just automatic for us to help them out as much as we could. During their planning, I have helped them connect with wedding suppliers and caterings. Vandy on the other hand was task to do the prayer in the ceremony. And David, well just an added rowdiness and cuteness on the side haha! he helped in entertaining guests (especially children his age!) - in here, he has created a good bond with Hyangsuk's korean niece and nephew. Now I don't have any idea how our son was able to communicate with them since David doesn't speak in Korean language. So last Thursday night after the rehearsals, we flocked together and enjoyed traditional Korean feast. The food was amazing, and the fellowship bond was wonderful too. The crowd was intim...

Intermittent Fasting  It has always been a routine for us (Vandy & I) to do Intermittent fasting every morning (it did start during the Pandemic and by God's grace we have continued up until today).  The 2nd week of January is definitely an extra important to me personally. It has been my annual goal to start a new year with sound mind and right heart. It is on this time that I get to pin down my aspirations, seek spiritual breakthroughs & guidance, and personal revival from the Lord.  I'm glad to be able to do this discipline during work week. At times, it's challenging because I teach at least 3-4 hours a day. There were moments of pangs, nauseas, and low energy - but praise God for sustaining me! It's good to have a guided directions on how and what to pray specifically (on personal,family,community,ministry,work and beyond). But my main goal is to really deepening my faith, clarity and spiritual renewal.   Why Fast? Traditionally, fasting means ...

In one of my classes, while waiting for students    I love how straightforward this Psalm 34:14 is. I have looked at other translations and it did struct me that - we are not only called to be peacekeepers but also to be peace makers . Pursuing peace is definitely challenging 😥 nowadays but take heart, God is giving us peace that surpasses all understanding 😍🥰💕✌️  On Practical peace ✌️ We just started our new semester in the university. This new term, I am teaching Communications. We are now at the lesson on how communication impacts “Maintaining positive relationships”. I believe it must have been prompting from the Holy Spirit, I shared and gave a practical example to my class: pursuing peace starts with us, and it would be resonated down the line. Before going outside our places/zones (workplaces/academics), let’s look at how we convey our message in a clearer, concise, even to the tone and manner of message delivery to the audience since we are the sender or ...