The Hourngs in Cambodia!

This month has been a whirlwind of milestones, both in ministry and in family. But through it all, God remains our Anchor. Psalm 56:3–4 has once again become a favorite reminder for our family: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" We memorized this as a family during the pandemic. Back then, it was a lifeline. Today, it’s still our anchor. Like David, who feared for his life when hunted by King Saul, we’re reminded that fear must drive us to prayer  not panic. Our prayers are not anchored in feelings but in the unchanging character of God , made known through His Word. So in storms,whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, we don’t drift. We cling to the Rock that is higher than we are. God is our Lighthouse. Our Fortress. Our Guide. When Satan tempts us to doubt the love of God, we fight back with truth. As Pastor Peter Tan Chi once said, “Satan’s ploy is to make us dou...

Last week was a tender one for our church. One of our faithful church members, Thek, lost her mother. As a church, we prayed for her and her family and extended our sincere help to her family at this trying moment. Though we can't travel to hug her personally, we hope and pray that she's being comforted by our Lord. with her mom - last year's visit in Phnom Penh for medical check up Thek’s story is deeply personal to us. She is one of the many students who have been part of our dorm ministry a place where young women from the provinces come to Phnom Penh to study and are given a safe, loving environment to live and grow. But Thek's story stood out not just because of where she came from, but because of what God has done in her life. Thek is from Ratanakiri , one of Cambodia's most remote provinces. It takes about twelve hours to reach the capital, and even longer to get to her actual village, which is tucked away in the mountains and forests of the region. She come...

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...

The Joy of Giving from the Heart In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This verse isn't merely about financial generosity; it's about the posture of our hearts. Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to support the impoverished believers in Jerusalem, emphasizing that giving should stem from a willing and joyful heart, not from obligation or pressure. This principle resonates deeply with our experiences in the mission field of Cambodia, where we've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of cheerful giving both in resources and in spirit. A Calling Rooted in Obedience After completing his theological studies in the Philippines, my husband, Vandy, felt a compelling call to return to his homeland, Cambodia, to plant a church in Kratie province . This region, about eight hours from Phnom Penh, was remote and largely unreached. He began by discipling a young...

Still in Father's Day high celebration. I can't help but think about my own Papa as well. I am writing this blog post today in loving memory of my papa, Rolly.  He passed away when I was just 22 years old. To this day, I still miss him deeply. His absence is felt in the everyday moments, the family gatherings, the memories we wish we could still make. And while he is no longer with us here on earth, the legacy he left behind continues to live on in our lives and in the lives of those he served. Papa Rolly was a man of God. He had a deep passion for the lost and a heart for the gospel. He intentionally planted a church in my mother’s hometown in Isabela (the Philippines). By the grace of God, that church is still thriving today. Many of mama ’s relatives were saved, baptized, and are now active in the ministry. One of them, my niece Cielo, was even called into full-time ministry and is now the pastor of that same church. Papa saw my calling for missions early on. I know he would...

Yesterday was a special day for our church. We celebrated two meaningful events: Father’s Day and the 12th anniversary of Phnom Penh Church (PPC).  It was more than just a day of celebration; it was a reflection of God's faithfulness, both to our individual families and to our church family. As I sat quietly in the back of the room, watching our young fathers smile, our children giggle at the video, and our church community come together with grateful hearts, I was moved beyond words. "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him." — Psalm 103:13 (ESV) Sermon Shared by Pastor Vandy During worship, my husband Vandy encouraged the fathers in our church both young and old, to show God’s love to their families. He reminded them that love is not just expressed through big actions or special occasions but through the daily and often unnoticed things. The way we speak, the way we listen, the way we respond these are reflections...

  Vandy's English Preaching Exactly five years ago, before the world came to a sudden halt due to the pandemic, my husband, Vandy, was invited to speak at my home church (Fort Bonifacio Wesleyan Church) in the Philippines. It was his first time to preach fully in English, and I vividly remember how nervous and prayerful he was. He gently asked me to intercede for him throughout the message, knowing that this was more than just a sermon, it was a testimony, a mission reminder, and a challenge for all of us. Behind the pulpit, he shared not only a message but a calling rooted in 2 Corinthians 8:1–7 , where Paul highlights the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian churches. Despite their severe trials and deep poverty, the Macedonians gave joyfully and beyond their ability to support fellow believers and the work of the gospel. They weren’t wealthy, but they were willing. Paul uses their example to challenge the Corinthian church and us to excel in the grace of giving as part of...