Many of you have read or heard some of our ministry philosophy “catch-phrases” here on our journal or as we have communicated with you in person. The study of the Akha culture, and the inevitable parallel study of my own American culture has led to a number of cross-cultural keywords that have become very important [...]

reposted from a guest blogging article written at JasonRuggles.com FOOD FRIDAY: EAT LIKE AN AHKA Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by April As we’ve mentioned more than once, last month we went up to an Akha village for a few days to experience their culture.  Part of that was, of course, their food.  My favorite part was [...]

Proverbs 31:10 (NASB) Description of a Worthy Woman 10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Maybe it’s the weddings I’ve been going to. Maybe spring comes early in Thailand. But I have found today, that even after 9.5 years of marriage, I am head-over-heels *in love* with Lori. She’s [...]

As a new year approaches, we all begin our countdowns as we reminisce over the past year and look forward to the newness of a year to come. Abigail and Lori began that countdown very early this year, as I have spent the last week of 2009 in America. I have spent this week in [...]

The Akha way of life is centered around rice. It encompasses every aspect of their lives.  Preparing the fields, planting, harvesting. every meal every day every month every year It’s no wonder that rice is the center of religion, culture and celebration in the Akha world. But, if there is a secondary symbol of importance [...]

I just thought I’d give you a “taste” of our life here. Lately, this is one of our family’s favorite dishes. And it’s one of the rare recipes that can be easily replicated in the United States. So, if your family is ready for something new on the dinner table, you can try it out [...]

April is summer break here in Thailand, so this year Paul and I decided to do Vacation Bible School Camps for couple of the Akha villages in our area. While we played games, sang silly songs, ate snacks & did crafts, the highlight, for me, were the teaching times. The challenge of, as our old [...]

Akha Outreach Foundation or Akha Outreach Services is the Thai foundation that we volunteer for. It is founded and staffed by Akha men and women who have a heart for their own people. AOF runs a children’s home and leadership training school that we share at monthly, but also has a village outreach that meets [...]

It seems to be somewhat of a trend for mommies to post weekly meal plans, recipies and the like on their blogs. And, since my blog has been suffering of late, I thought I’d get on the bandwagon and start posting about some of our favorite meals here in the Vernon household. (Although, honestly, don’t [...]

As Lori is prepping the Pumpkin Pies, Green Bean Casserole and Jell-O Salad for our Thanksgiving meal here in Thailand, we remember all of you – our friends, family, support team, and church partners – with much Thanksgiving and Joy. We have much to be Thankful for this year – it has been a healthy [...]

Abi just turned 11 months old, so I figured it was about time that I finally post her 6-8 month photos that have been sitting on my desktop awaiting a blog of their own. Also, since this blog is really our digital equivilent to a baby book, I thought I’d share a few milestones and [...]

For all of you Yanks (which is about 95% of our readers), that’s over 900 miles that we put on our truck in this last week. We want to thank you all for your prayers, as we were able to have the energy needed to not only make all the trips, but to interact and [...]

We have a very busy week ahead of us and would love your prayer support. Our week is so full because it is the last week of school break in Thailand, and everyone has decided that it is the perfect time for the annual events. First, we are heading to Chiang Mai (today) to attend [...]

Perhaps our most significant ministry to the Akha is the Akha Clinic. In Thailand, many of the Akha are not given Thai citizenship, even if they are born in Thailand. This is due largely to the fact that they are recently (within the last 3 or 4 generations) from Burma.Unfortunately, this also means a lack [...]

We have had some very interesting vehicle experiences over the last few months. And, although our Suzuki is back in our possession, she is on her last legs – stalling every time we tap the brakes. With a pregnant wife and a future child to care for, it has become obvious that our little Suzuki [...]

Over the past few weeks, the reality of having a baby in a little over 4 months has started to set in. Maybe it’s the recent arrival of our friend’s baby girl, or maybe it’s the fact that we have crossed that half-way mark, but either way, those notorious pregnancy-nesting-tendencies are starting to appear! Up [...]

Please join us in praying that my parents would be able to find affordable airfare to Thailand so they can visit for the birth of our first baby in July and August. A few days ago they found a pretty good online fare, but unfortunately it sold out right away and they were not able [...]

Pastor Jack Hayford, President of the ICFG and more commonly known as “Pastor Jack” will be coming to Bangkok this Tuesday to share at the Eastern Council of Foursquare Churches (ECFC) conference. This conference will host pastors, leaders and missionaries from all over East Asia. We are very excited to have a chance to meet [...]

It’s the season to celebrate the new rice harvest in Akha villages. It is difficult to describe all the sights and sounds and smells that you experience in the village, but we wanted to show you a small glimpse into the festival at Mae Salong. Here we have some of our neighbors preparing one of [...]

It is time for the rice harvest in Thailand, and to the Akha that means the celebration of the Haw Shui Dza (New Rice Festival). This celebration goes much further than the celebration of Rice, the staple element of the Akha diet, for they celebrate all of their harvest. Coffee, tea, corn, tomatoes, vegetables and [...]