Today I accompanied Chuck and Ruth Fox and a large contingent of folks from the Chiang Rai International Christian School to an Akha church's annual Rice Harvest Festival. In some ways it is the Akha equivalent of American Thanksgiving. When the harvest is gathered the Akha Christians gather in the church to give thanks for God's many blessings.
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| Akha young women in traditional dress outside the church. |
I felt very comfortable in the service. It felt like home. It reminded me of the Karen worship services I've attended in the U.S. --- with multiple choirs, good preaching, and congregational singing. The service even concluded with same sung threefold amen (after the benediction) that has been the final act of worship at almost every Karen service I've ever attended!
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| Rev. Chuck Fox brings one of the morning's messages. |
After the service (which lasted almost 3 hours), there was an auction of rice, chickens, and produce that was brought to the church.
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| The auctioneer holds up rice and a mountain cucumber. |
The day concluded with a delicious meal that included several wonderful pork dishes. Early in the morning a pig was slaughtered and slow cooked for the community feast in the early afternoon. The Akha brothers and sisters extended very generous and welcoming hospitality to us.
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