MISSIONER NEWSLETTER – Spring 2025

Thu Tam (T.T.) Hoang, Cambodia

“With a heart for service and a spirit open to the unknown, I walk alongside the people of Cambodia—supporting seafarers, the vulnerable, and those in need, one encounter at a time.”

CAMBODIA—When I find myself engaging with a taxi, or tuk-tuk, driver, chatting with a new acquaintance, or reconnecting with someone I have known for years, I am frequently met with the question, “What is your ministry in Cambodia?” With a warm smile and genuine passion, I respond, “To accompany the people I have the privilege of serving!”

After a transformative year, this response has blossomed into more than just a tagline. It is the very essence of my mission. 

While I will delve into my collaboration with Caritas of Cambodia and a dedicated priest in Sihanoukville to launch a Maritime Apostolate (Stella Maris) program aimed at uplifting seafarers and their families, my journey here is so much more.

I visit the sick, orphans, and individuals with disabilities, assist trafficking victims with interpretation and advocacy, teach English to students in remote areas, and help distribute food to those struggling along the Tonle Sap River. Each of these activities has been integral to my first year in mission, all while I have prioritized learning the local language.

Initially focused on combating human trafficking, my perspective has deepened and expanded over time. I have come to recognize the intricate nature of this pressing issue, which is far more complex than I first understood.

While my commitment to fighting trafficking remains steadfast, my approach has evolved to encompass a broader spectrum of service.

I feel called to support a group that is often overlooked and in need of spiritual, social, and practical assistance: the crews and seafarers who often feel isolated and lack necessary resources to address their needs. With Cambodia’s growing economy and increasing ship traffic at its largest port, Sihanoukville, it has become evident that there is a significant gap in support for these seafarers. An urgent need exists for a dedicated program to assist them.

As I enter my second year in mission, I am committed to collaborating with Caritas of Cambodia to establish the first Stella Maris program here. Having had the opportunity to visit and learn from successful Stella Maris programs in Thailand, I witnessed firsthand the transformative impact these initiatives have on the lives of seafarers.

While the excitement of starting a new program fills me with hope, I also understand the challenges that accompany embarking on an entirely new project, rich with learning opportunities and the unknowns that can try our patience and faith.

Throughout this past year, I have cultivated the wisdom of patience and learned to trust in God’s guiding hand. Life continually unfolds in unexpected ways; while it may not always align with my initial plans or desires, it often surprises me in ways that inspire growth when my heart remains open and receptive.

As the beautiful season of Lent unfolds, I am reminded that it is a sacred time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and slowing down to reconnect with our innermost selves, where God resides.

At this core, I ask for your prayers as “I place my trust in the slow work of God—allowing Him to lead me and permitting my plans and desires to mature and grow gradually, shaping themselves without undue haste, while accepting the anxiety of feeling suspended and incomplete.” (Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.)

Please support my mission with a donation through the link below.

I also invite you to walk with me as a “COMPANION IN MISSION.” Companions in Mission are friends and generous donors who give financial gifts on a regular (usually monthly) basis. For more information, visit Become a Companion in Mission. Thank you so much for your generosity!