Upcoming Women’s Conference
Our annual Women’s Conference begins this week! Last year we had over 200 women arrive, more than double what we expected, and they stayed up till midnight sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. This year, our theme is “The Power of the Holy Spirit” and we’re very excited to have Rev. Daphne Yang of Cornerstone Community Church in Singapore as our guest speaker, in addition to two American friends who will be coming … Continue reading
Two New Church Plants
For three Sunday afternoons now, a brand new church has been meeting at the Foundation. Two of our Akha Bible Institute graduates, Apa & Elisabeh, were working at a tea plantation near town and noticed the other Akha Christians around them. As migrant workers who don’t live in the village, they felt lost without a church. So they made Apa the pastor, and he asked to come under our church ministry. This … Continue reading
First Fruits
At the end of September, Steve Owings and friends came through again, stirring up our hunger for the things of Spirit. The first time they came, we saw the Lord break up hard ground in the spiritual realm as they interceded for the Akha people. This year, the first fruits of that plowing were evident as Bible students began singing in the Spirit, praying for others and seeing them healed, and staying … Continue reading
Christmas 2012
This Christmas was bursting with fun, friends and fellowship. Thanks to the generosity of many, all our children got to go on a shopping spree. In addition to Singaporean and American visitors, we hosted a 3-day Christmas camp and invited all 18 village churches. Everyone loved the songs, teachings and games, and they are looking forward to next time. Thanks to everyone for your part!
Mother’s Day in August
Mother’s Day is a huge celebration here in Thailand and it’s celebrated on August 12th, the queen’s birthday. Most of the schools will have the mothers come to school for a special program. And it’s become tradition at House of Joy to have a night to honor our staff who fulfill the role of a mother. All the children and the male staff work for weeks on songs, poems, drawings, and picking … Continue reading
Meet Our New Children!
Here at Akha Outreach we are welcoming over 20 new children, one of our largest influxes of children in the 10 year history of our ministry. These children come from very difficult and unstable situations, most of them have been exposed to drugs, violence and death in their formative years. With such difficult histories, the early months are very important for establishing routines, expressing genuine care and providing a stable environment for these … Continue reading
Youth Camp 2012
Two weeks ago, nearly 90 campers and 30 student leaders gathered at House of Joy for our eight annual youth camp. Ranging in age from 10 to 18, the campers hailed from the 17 villages within our church planting group as well as our own House of Joy kids. Everyone was especially happy to see 6 boys and 6 girls from Hoi Taht, the village that just decided to follow Christ this … Continue reading
Annual Men’s Retreat 2012
Watching leaders lead is one of the most thrilling experiences in church ministry, and a healthy church is vitalized by men leading men. At the 2012 Akha Outreach Men’s Retreat in Dama Gawjaw Akha village in Doi Maesalong, we were proud to witness as multiple Akha Outreach church leaders organized, taught and ministered to one another. For years we have struggled to see male leaders emerging from within our churches. As our staff have invested … Continue reading
56 Baptized in Hoi Taht
“Before it happens, it seems impossible. But once you begin it’s quite easy, because God wants it to happen.” This poignant description of walking in faith came from one of our new pastors up in Hoi Taht village. We were visiting to help with the church’s very first baptism. This is same place where, last July, over 200 people accepted Christ together. Within a week, they’d burned their spirit alters, built a … Continue reading
Akha Bible Institute Graduation Celebration 2012
Our annual Akha Bible Institute graduation was a joy as always as 800 guests witnessed our eight interns, six full-time students and fourteen pastors step into a new, exciting phase in their lives. This year’s theme was The River of Life, taken from John 7:38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Many years ago, the Lord gave Aje … Continue reading