The Madness of Hope

Thanksgiving in the Akha Village

We were blessed to have the opportunity to attend the Thanksgiving Service at an Akha village in Northern Thailand. We traveled three hours from Chaing Mai to arrive at a village hidden away in the lush tropical mountains. Each year they have a church service to celebrate the harvest God has blessed them with. Many dress in their colorful traditional dress, that reserved for special occasions and holidays.

Fruits of the harvest were brought to the front of the church building to remind people of God's provision.

My husband, Mark, was given the opportunity to speak at the service and his message was translated into Thai and then Akha. There was constant activity during the service; children coming and going, babies crying, people talking. It reminded me of bush churches in Africa.

After the service, the low, wicker tables were brought in and we were served a delicious meal.

The Thanksgiving tradition is to make many dishes and lay out as many foods as possible. Most of it was incredible delicious. No one, however, at this enticing chicken foot!

Later, we took a walk to the home of one of the church members.

We were served tea in the home of one of the church members. They were so gracious to invite us into their home and serve tea, made over an open fire in one corner of the house.

I know my Thanksgiving will not pass by this November without my thoughts going out to the people we met at the Akha village in Thailand. I will be thanking God for them and for His provision in their lives.