The Hourngs in Cambodia!

David's first time to travel in the Philippines (3yrs old) - diagnosed with Mild Autism When David was 3yrs old he was diagnosed with mild autism.  The news made us weary and shaken. How could this be? But by God’s grace, He helped us face and embrace the truth. Our fears before turned us to trust God more.   Looking back, we praise God for He put us in this situation.  It was actually more than a blessing. David is kindhearted and focus. Thought he won’t speak but turned out he’s even more talkative and friendly.  Here were some posts when I mentioned about how God has ever been present in our autism journey: 👉  Star of the Week 👉  Upset 👉  Culprit One of our goals as parents is how he would live even without us anymore so as much as possible we are teaching him life skills that he could use/do independently such as cooking his own breakfast, preparing his own bed, clothes to wear daily/weekly, read his own bible, bathing/cleaning himself, does his...

 As a mother, especially one married to a pastor, I’ve learned that my most powerful tool is prayer. My husband and I have been blessed with a beautiful son who has autism. He is a unique and wonderful gift from God, but like many parents who walk this journey, we face challenges that often feel overwhelming. I want to share our story and offer some hope and encouragement, particularly for those of you who are raising a child with special needs. When our son was first diagnosed with autism, my heart was heavy. I worried about his future—his schooling, his ability to make friends, his understanding of the world around him, and most importantly, his relationship with God. It’s easy to feel alone when you’re facing such challenges, but I quickly realized that I’m never truly alone. The Lord is always with us, and He listens to our prayers. Every morning before our son goes to school, I pray for him. I pray for his teachers, that they will have patience and understanding. I pray for hi...

Twelve years ago, God gifted us with a beautiful baby boy David. Last Saturday (June 7th), he’s officially 12.  Almost a teenager. It feels surreal. I still remember cradling him in my arms, marveling at the miracle we had waited and prayed for. His sweet smile, chubby cheeks, and joyful eyes gave us warmth even during our most uncertain days. He was and still is our ray of sunshine. Coming home from work each day to his big hugs and excited squeals has always been the highlight of our day. Whether I had a long day at the university or Vandy, my husband, had just returned from a week in the provinces doing mission work, seeing David run toward us always made everything worthwhile. But something in me shifted this year. He’s growing up. Yes, he still needs us, but differently. He now prepares his own school uniforms, picks out the color of sets he wants to wear, and tells us his food preferences. He has opinions. He voices them. He has feelings and thoughts he wants to express. And ...

Faith and Autism This verse encapsulates the journey of trusting God beyond what is visible, predictable, or easily understood. As a pastor’s wife and a mother to our 11-year-old son David, who is on the autism spectrum, this scripture has been a guiding light through countless uncertainties and challenges. Today, I want to share three reflections on this verse, drawing from our experiences in ministry, motherhood, and mission work in Cambodia. Reflection 1: Faith Anchors Us in the Uncertainty of Parenting Raising David has been an extraordinary journey of faith. His autism diagnosis came with a whirlwind of emotions: fear, doubt, and a deep desire to understand his unique needs. I vividly remember the day we finally visited the developmental pediatrician in the Philippines. The diagnosis clarified many of David’s struggles, but it also marked the beginning of a path we could not fully foresee. Back in Cambodia, finding reliable specialists for therapy was nearly impossible. For a time...

Last night, my son David broke down in tears. He confessed that he had chased down a classmate at school, demanding an apology for making fun of him. My heart ached as he shared how he’s been bullied—how his classmates single him out, call him "no fun," and mock him. David doesn’t fully understand yet that he has mild autism. His dad and I have been hesitant to tell him because, in the past, he’s reacted negatively to the word. But now, his peers are using it as a weapon against him. As a mom, it’s crushing to see your child hurt, especially when they’re trying so hard to fit in. We’ve talked to his teachers, but the pain lingers. And as Christians, we wrestle with this truth: People will let us down. Friends will hurt us. The world can be cruel. But one thing remains unshaken— Jesus loves him. And so do we. Bible Verses: "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." – 1 John 4:11 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome ...

There are moments in our family life when I pause and marvel at how God continues to work in the little and ordinary things. Parenting, especially in a cross-cultural home here in Cambodia, has taught us lessons far beyond what any book could offer. It’s not always easy, but every challenge we face points us back to God’s faithfulness. One of those areas where God has been showing His amazing grace lately is through our son, David.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” — Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) When Struggles Become Seeds of Growth David has been struggling with his Khmer lessons this year. As parents, this was one of our main concerns for quite some time. His school (Asian Hope International School) is accredited by the Ministry of Education here in Cambodia, which means he has to meet the same requirements as every local student, including passing the Khmer exam to be promoted to high scho...