Jason & April Ruggles

‘Ohana’ Means Family…

Posted on 30. Oct, 2009 by April in Missions, Thailand

Last week we went back up to Mae Sot to meet with the rest of the Foursquare Thailand family for the National Convention. For three days and two nights we exchanged the noise and busyness of Bangkok for the fresh air and tranquility of rural Thailand.

Learning to Hula

Learning From the Bible

“Ohana- We Are One Family” was the theme of the convention. The preaching focused on unity, community, diversity in the Body, the danger of division, and the importance of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the convention there was emphasis on connecting with people and ministries in other parts of the country, and getting to know them as part of one big family.

Although a Foursquare Thailand convention, there were many there who knew little, if any Thai. And I don’t just mean the Americans. While we did have a good number of English speakers (a team from Hawaii was visiting in addition to the usual missionaries), there were also pastors from the hill tribes that don’t speak Thai- they speak their own tribal language (e.g. Lahu, Akha, etc). Some of them were guys Jason had met when he traveled with Pastor John in July. They were happy to see Jason and say, “Hello,” even if that was all they could communicate.

The Vernons

One afternoon we had the opportunity to visit a nearby waterfall with Paul, Lori and Abi Vernon. They are a missionary family who work with the Akha in Northern Thailand. Abi is only two, but can already communicate quite well in English, Akha, and even some Thai. I had fun talking with her. Check out the Vernon Journal to learn more about their ministry. The waterfall was beautiful! They say it has 97 steps, but we weren’t quite sure how to count them.

It was great to meet our “extended” Foursquare family, but it was also great to spend time with our Bangkok family. Somehow road trips just make you feel more connected to people, don’t they?

Namtok Pha Charoen - © Jason Ruggles, 2009

What was your last road trip?

Tags: convention, family, ministry, Paul & Lori Vernon