The Hourngs in Cambodia!

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...

This month of August, our hearts are full of gratitude as we look back on God’s goodness in our family and ministry. It has been a month of celebrating life , walking through new seasons as parents, and pressing forward in the mission field here in Phnom Penh. Each story and reflection reminds us of God’s faithfulness and of our need to continually depend on Him in prayer. 🎂 Celebrating Life & Birthdays We began the month by celebrating birthdays in our family, including a simple but meaningful day for Papa Rolly . Birthdays for us are more than cake and gatherings they are reminders that every added year is a gift from the Lord. In our post “Our Simple Birthdays” and “Happy Birthday Papa Rolly!” , we reflected on how we want each year of life to be lived intentionally: to give more, serve more, and accomplish God’s purposes for His glory. Our prayer is to finish strong , knowing that each added day is a chance to shine for Christ.  Khmer Chess Match (Pich and David) 🍞 Fa...

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 night, during our prayer before bed, our little family of three ended up laughing more than we expected. We were supposed to pray and sleep early. But as we sat together, stories started flowing. Stories about our childhood. Stories about hardship. Stories about scars. David laughed the hardest. He could not believe how different our lives were when we were his age. He and his cousin Pich live in a generation filled with technology, comfort, and convenience. We grew up in a very different world. We told him how we never said we were bored. There was always something to do. If we did not have toys, we made our own games. We created fun out of nothing. We climbed trees. We ran barefoot. We worked. My husband shared how, as the only boy among three sisters, he had responsibilities early in life. His job was to fill five large clay jars with water for cooking and washing. He fetched water from the Mekong River in front of their house. Every day. At eight years old, he learned how to...

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...

It’s a long holiday week here in Cambodia the Bon Om Touk or  Water Festival , one of the most celebrated national holidays. Usually, Phnom Penh becomes a lively place during this time. The streets fill with people from all over the country, and even visitors from other nations come to watch the boat races along the Tonle Sap River. Each province sends its own team to represent them, and everyone gathers in front of the Royal Palace to cheer for their favorites. At night, the sky usually lights up with fireworks that reflect beautifully over the river. The King and his royal family join the people in celebrating, watching from the Royal Palace balcony. It’s one of those moments that remind everyone of the unity, joy, and cultural pride that Cambodians share. However, this year feels different. The government announced that the festival would be cancelled for safety reasons. Cambodia is currently undergoing peace talks regarding border concerns with Thailand and is also managing a...