The Hourngs in Cambodia!

There are days when James 1:19 feels like it was written just for me. Honestly.  😔😅 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19–20 Sometimes I find myself reading this verse and then sighing with a little bit of embarrassment because, if I’m being real, I still struggle with this more often than I’d like to admit. I want to be someone who listens more, speaks less, and doesn’t let anger take control of my heart or my words. I want to represent Jesus well not just in church or ministry but also at home, in the university where I teach, in our neighborhood, in the market, and even in those little day-to-day encounters that no one else may notice. I don’t want to come across as someone who’s just “religious” who talks about God but reacts to people harshly or impatiently. Instead, I want my actions, especially my respo...

I have been a Communication lecturer for more than a decade now. Honestly, this was never in my plans. I had never pictured myself standing in front of a classroom, teaching young adults about public speaking, writing, and how to express themselves clearly. But here I am, and it’s only by God’s grace that I have not only coped but found joy in this unexpected journey. When I first took this path, I didn’t feel qualified. I was hesitant. I doubted myself. But deep inside, I knew God had placed me here for a reason. Over the years, He has shown me again and again that He equips those He calls. My husband has always reminded me: “You are placed here not just to teach Communication. You are here for your students, for your colleagues, for those who need light and guidance. This is your mission field.” That encouragement has shaped how I see my everyday work. Teaching in a university here in Cambodia, in an environment where open expressions of faith are not always welcomed, is challenging...

Life in Cambodia has taught me many things. The quiet mornings with motorbikes humming in the distance, the sound of a street vendor calling out her goods, the calm before a tropical rainstorm, and the silent conversations between me and the Lord doing my morning walks or riding home on a tuk-tuk after a long day. In all of these ordinary moments, I’m learning that the gentleness God calls us to is not found in grand words or big acts. It is found in the stillness of our heart, in the posture of our soul when no one is watching. When I first read Matthew 5:5, I did not fully understand it. The world teaches us to be strong, to defend ourselves, to prove our worth. But Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." I used to think meekness was weakness. I thought it was about being silent, timid, or scared. But I now see that meekness is strength under God’s control. It is humility, gentleness, and quiet confidence that trusts in God more than in self. G...

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...