The Hourngs in Cambodia!

It’s rainy season now in Cambodia. And almost mid-year already! The skies may be gloomy at times, but I’m reminded of God’s mercies that fall fresh every morning like the rain. As I sit here reflecting, I can only praise God for His steady faithfulness in our lives. Truly, it is only by His grace that we breathe, move, and live each day. This past month of May has been fruitful physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. And our verse today, Matthew 25:34, is a strong and beautiful reminder that there is a reward waiting for all who live faithfully for Him. It’s a reminder not just to endure but to obey and walk with Him every single day. The verse speaks of our inheritance something we did not and cannot earn. It is prepared. It is promised. It is ours because of Jesus. Are We Living Our Purpose? The King will say, "Come... take your inheritance." What a powerful moment to anticipate! But before that moment arrives, we have this short life this one life to re...

It was just another ordinary weekend. Nothing fancy, no big plans. Just a simple family errand: we promised David, our almost-12-year-old, that he could finally buy the UNO card game he's been saving up for. He earned the money by reading Khmer books, selling homemade chocolate crinkles, and consistently taking sermon notes every Sunday. We were proud of him. So, off to the mall we went. I’ve always appreciated that David isn’t drawn to gadgets . Instead, he’s into board games, puzzles, and card games. It’s his way of unwinding, and we see his creativity and joy through it. After finding the perfect UNO card set and making the purchase, we decided to linger a bit longer. I needed to reach my daily 10,000 steps goal , and walking around the mall seemed like a fun way to finish it. As we strolled down to the ground floor, we passed by a sports store (Decathlon) . They had an open table tennis area where anyone could try the equipment. Naturally, it caught the boys’ attention. David w...

Ms. Allyn was my former boss (World Hope Org), speaking life to me as a future bride to Vandy in 2009 . She gifted us with a rice cooker, which, up to now, is being used for the church monthly potluck! Cool, right? I’ve always believed that hospitality is more than opening the doors of our homes, it’s opening the doors of our hearts. Here in Phnom Penh, where life buzzes with the noise of traffic and the rhythm of daily routines, God gives us moments that remind us of His quiet glory through friendships, food, stories, and smiles. Just like Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands,” our little acts of love and fellowship can also speak loudly of His presence and goodness. And sometimes, it happens over shared meals, in homes where stories are retold, prayers whispered, and hearts encouraged. A Full Circle of Kindness More than ten years ago, I was a young single missionary based in Kratie province . Whenever I would travel to ...

When God Says "Wait" "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" — Psalm 27:14 (ESV) A Message for the Waiting Heart This is for every single woman, mother, wife, young professional, or sister in faith who has ever whispered, “Lord, how much longer?” Waiting isn’t easy, especially in a world that rewards speed, instant gratification, and quick results. But there’s a beauty in tarrying—staying, seeking, and trusting even when nothing seems to be happening. This post is written straight from the heart, drawn from my personal journey of waiting, stumbling, growing, and trusting again. If you're in a season of waiting, know this: you are not alone. We minister to singles, young professionals, and young couples here in Cambodia. And one of the most common questions we hear is: “Why is God making me wait?” Or sometimes, “What if I miss out?” In our fast-paced culture—driven by likes, shares, and validation from people—it’s ha...

If there's one Khmer dish that we keep on requesting every week is this easy fried vegetables "Cha Trokun" (Cha - means stir fry & Trokun - Water spinach) aside from Singaw chiru . I learned this easy dish while doing my mission work in Kratie province way back 2007. Sreymom, my lovely student taught me how to cook it. Her version has much kick of spiciness, the version I cook at home is mild because of my son. I'm glad David likes to eat this simple dish as well. He loves the crunch of the fresh greens and the flavorful sauce. He especially enjoys dipping it in a simple sauce made of salt, pepper, and lime – a touch of French influence in Cambodian cuisine. I'm not good at cooking, but it has always been a comforting activity for me if I make it at home. It’s more than just making food. It’s an act of love, a chance to create memories, and sometimes, a way to teach David about faith. Just as I learned to cook from Sreymom, I hope to pass on not just recipe...

Our verse today in Psalm 42:11 reminds me of our compassionate God. He deals with and meets us even when we are downcast, upset, and angry.  When David was growing up, there were many times I would explode out of my anger due to frustrations. I thank God that He has met me when I needed Him the most.  By God’s grace, I’m still growing in the area of self-control. God is still in the process of building my character in the fruit of the Spirit . There are many times I would be caught off guard at the way I respond unlovingly toward my husband and son. Vandy would always remind me to consider people around us since my sister-in-law and her teenage son are now living with us. They are definitely seeing our lives daily. It's a challenge to respond with grace, practicing and putting into action the faith that is in us. How to reflect the goodness of God more practically? That even my son would emulate and copy. I praise God because, though we could still sin, He is faithful and...