Celebrations & Festivals
Harvest Thanksgivings, Christmas and Easter gatherings, and the festivals of the peoples we serve.
14 albums · 133 photos
14 albums · 133 photos
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The newest photos from the field
Serving the Lord One Opportunity at a Time
Nick and Stephen presenting AFC at Winema Christian Camp, Stephen at a campfire and teaching 1 Corinthians, Zawwa farming with villagers in Myanmar, Nick…
Serving under the Rain
The new cohort's first class, a visiting team from Ohio, and time with local children.
Sending out the New Graduates
The commencement of AIS's 33 graduates, with more than 400 people attending.
Happy New Year 2026
A weeklong class in Myanmar, Thanksgiving at a church in the mountains of northern Thailand, and New Year with a church in Chiang Dao.
All albums
2025 1 album
New Year 2025
Thanksgiving at Huay Ko village, Christmas for the children of a local government school, food packages in Thailand, and Nick's visit to evangelist Sithat…
2024 1 album
Count Your Blessings! Happy New Year 2024
The Christmas conference in Chiang Dao, visits to cold mountain villages where villagers chose winter clothes, and college students planting vegetables.
2023 2 albums
Food, Community, and Worship
A Thanksgiving gathering at the Wongs' home with worship, shared food and a Thai tradition performed by the neighborhood women's committee, and another Thanksgiving…
Happy New Year 2023
Includes Thanksgiving in a Lahu village, a Thanksgiving event at the Wongs' home, and treats handed out at a school on Children's Day.
2020 2 albums
A Time of Thanks and Joy
Harvest Thanksgiving at Huay Ko with more than 500 people, Thanksgiving at Lisu churches including Kong Nguen in downtown Chiang Mai, a party for…
A New Decade
Highlights of 2019: a Christmas event in Laos where the congregation wore traditional Hmong dress, the Lisu Christmas Festival in Thailand, caroling in the…
2019 1 album
Happy New Year 2019
Stephen and Nick with Chinese scholars and leaders, the Christmas convention where Stephen preached in Lisu, and a Thanksgiving service at the Wongs' home.
2017 1 album
Jesus Has Risen
Stephen preaching at the Easter convention in Chiang Dao, and working on Bible commentaries in the Lisu language.
2016 2 albums
Thanksgiving in the Mission Field
Thanksgiving at Sanka and church services around Myitkyina, plus Revelation workshops for leaders at Wain Maw and in Myitkyina.
No Santa, but Jesus Christ
Christmas 2015 services with a Lisu choir and gospel singers from Myitkyina, and a baptism.
2015 1 album
No Turkey, But Pork
Thanksgiving with Lisu and Akha villagers: the new crops laid out, young Lisu girls dancing, and an Akha choir.
2013 1 album
Happy New Year 2014
Photos from the 2014 New Year greeting.
2012 2 albums
Wongs on January 2012
A New Year prayer service at the Wongs' home, where friends, family and churches prayed for the family and the ministry.
Wongs on December 2011
Pictures from the 2011 Lisu Christmas convention at Nam Roo, described in the update as the highlight of December.
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Try a different word, another year or all categories. Names of places and peoples work well, like Lisu, Kachin or Laos.
Serving the Lord One Opportunity at a Time
Nick and Stephen presenting AFC at Winema Christian Camp, Stephen at a campfire and teaching 1 Corinthians, Zawwa farming with villagers in Myanmar, Nick…
Serving under the Rain
The new cohort's first class, a visiting team from Ohio, and time with local children.
Sending out the New Graduates
The commencement of AIS's 33 graduates, with more than 400 people attending.
Happy New Year 2026
A weeklong class in Myanmar, Thanksgiving at a church in the mountains of northern Thailand, and New Year with a church in Chiang Dao.
New Things on the Horizon
Stephen teaching Revelation, Nick teaching pastoral care and mental health, evangelism to remote villages, and a visit to a center that provides prosthetic legs,…
Proclaiming Peace Amid the Storm
The church in Maymeo helps hand out ready-to-eat meals after the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, plus a certificate presentation to the Myanmar team…
Relationships are Important
A visiting team teaching classes, a visit to a new church plant in a remote village, Nick meeting Lao government officials and his former…
Much Work, More to be Thankful for
A new batch of AIS students, baptisms in the river, food relief after the typhoons and floods, Thanksgiving at the Wongs' home, and a…
It Takes a Team
A new group of AIS students studying with Stephen, displaced people in a northern Myanmar city receiving food packages, and Stephen encouraging a church…
Cultivating Biblically-Grounded Leadership
The first group of students for 2024 studying the Bible and sharing a meal. They come from various parts of Thailand and Myanmar.
Making Disciples
The March 15, 2024 graduation ceremony in Thailand: graduates' friends and family, visiting teacher Derek, and baptisms.
Vision of 2030
Praying with a new house church, new Bible graduates in Laos, classes for Thai students, and a visiting team from Kaimuki Christian Church at…
Strength in numbers, Strength in the Lord
A Lisu village on a Thai mountainside, Stephen with Lisu leaders ready to evangelize, teaching New Testament exegesis, teaching young people in villages, and…
Knowledge is Power
Stephen teaching Matthew and giving a communion message, coffee seeds and nursery supplies taken to the Laos border, Nick teaching coffee roasting, and a…
Joyful Fellowship Meals
Meals with guests from Germany and Laos and with leaders from Laos, a class on the theology of the cross, and temporary shelters and…
Full Steam Ahead
Relief packages and a meal for college students in Vientiane, a ride on the new high-speed railway to Luang Prabang, and help for 100…
God and His Mysterious Ways
Clothes sent across the border, worship songs at a Lahu village, a visit to a church with Korean friends, and a New Year's party…
Our God Has No Limits
Winter coats for the orphans in Mogok, thick mattresses for children who used to sleep on thin mats, and food packages handed out in…
Storm Clouds, Be Gone
Protective gear shipped to Kingdom workers in Mogok and Myitkyina, and Mary organizing donated clothes.
Third Wave, but High Spirits
Includes mosquito nets and necessities sent to the displaced at the Myanmar border, clothes sent to a village in Thailand, the soccer team, and…
Glimpses of Hope
Stephen and Mary visiting a church in Chiang Dao and meeting the earliest group of Christian Lisu in Thailand, a lunch with the elderly,…
Happy New Year 2021! We made it
Looking back at 2020: an evangelistic trip with a Thai church to a remote area, a Christmas party for the soccer boys, a meal…
Peace in Christ
Shan neighbors helping plant rice, a rice field flooded by days of rain, a new village church and house church, and the soccer kids.
All for Jesus
Food distribution in Laos, Myanmar and a Shan neighborhood in Thailand, with prayer for people who asked, plus devotional services and preaching with Lisu…
Imago Dei
Rice, instant noodles, cooking oil and eggs sorted into food packages and handed out to families during the 2020 lockdown, including Shan children from…
Making Every Opportunity Count
Mosquito nets for people in Laos loaded onto a bus, fellowship after a meeting, and feeding children.
In the Midst of It All
Stephen teaching at a seminary in Chiang Mai, soccer practice, and Mary giving donuts at the school.
Ripe for Harvest
English lessons and games at a Thai government school where most students are refugees, and Stephen preaching and teaching 1 Corinthians as a visiting…
Taking up the Cross
Stephen with a native evangelist, an early morning in a remote village, harvesting at the rice field, shared meals, and preaching in a local…
Why Me?
Debris from Typhoon Lekima in eastern China, where 32 people were buried alive, and Nick's Bible class before English class.
Beautiful Feet
A Boise Bible College team teaches classes at a government school with refugee students from Myanmar, and teaches and sings with children at the…
Not the Macedonian, But the Laotian Called
A one-week survey trip to Laos to see the work of native evangelists Ben and Seng, then an Easter service at a Lisu church…
God is Leading
A junior camp, and food, candy and Bible leaflets for disadvantaged children in a Mandalay slum, from the April 2019 update on the trip…
Christ is the Only Way
Includes teaching at a Bible college and preaching at a church in Mandalay, the baptism of a Burmese Buddhist, and a visit to remote…
Carrying out the Great Commission
Nick leads a group to teach English and visit churches and refugees in Myitkyina, Northern Myanmar, including a refugee village. The update also shows…
God is in Control
Becky teaching English at Huay Ko, Stephen teaching at an evangelist gathering in Shan State, preaching in Myitkyina and Wain Maw, and a futsal…
Serving the Lord’s Calling
Includes studying the Torah, Stephen preaching at a Lisu church in downtown Chiang Mai, fellowship with villagers, and a prayer meeting for the family…
God is with Us
Going through the Bible with Stephen, and Stephen preaching at a church in downtown Chiang Mai.
Feed the Need
A bamboo house built for orphans with separate boys' and girls' bedrooms, school supplies for the orphans, and rice for people affected by war.
Here We Come USA
Stephen teaching New Testament exegesis, preaching at a rehab center in Myitkyina, and preaching at the Jamaitee Bible Training Center in Wain Maw, Myanmar.
Making Differences For the Lord
Stephen teaching students at Jamitee, meeting Lisu leaders from China and Myanmar in Putao, a ground-breaking, and Nick feeding children at a refugee camp.
Happy New Year 2018
A Lisu literature forum in China, Lisu New Year celebrations in Wei Xei, China, and a Christmas party with games for the neighborhood.
Sola Scriptura
Stephen teaching the Bible in a remote village, at Bible colleges in Myitkyina and at a church in Myanmar, and giving rice to displaced…
Turning the World Upside Down
Fellowship after worship, guests at the mission office, and planning how to help Lisu churches.
God Causing the Growth
Includes Stephen teaching second-generation Lisu Christians in Thailand, a meeting of Christian police and soldiers, greeting Lisu people at a roadside market, and flooding…
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
A Lisu conference and cultural exhibition, an English youth camp that teaches English through the Bible, and visits to refugee homes and shelters for…
Feeding the Physical and Spiritual Needs
500 bags of rice sent to displaced Lisu in Danai with help from IDES, and Stephen teaching Revelation and James to students at Jamaiti.
Good News and Bad News
Temporary shelters for the displaced Lisu, and their first real meal after weeks in the forest.
Happy New Year 2017
A Lisu cultural conference in China with Lisu leaders from several countries, Stephen speaking to 600 tenth graders at Huaping, and a Christmas party…
More Calling
The Lisu culture center in Ying Jiang, a Lisu cultural exhibition, and Stephen with Lisu cultural leaders.
God’s Gracious Blessings
Photos from the August 2016 update, which describes rain returning to the rice field after a dry season.
Empowering Christian Leaders
The final term for a group of leaders from Myanmar, with classes taught by Stephen, Dr. Derek Voorhees, Professor Isaiah, Nick and Becky.
Ten Thousand Reasons
An April 2016 visit to the remote churches of Maw Mit and Dagon in Myanmar, reached by seven hours in a truck, then motorcycle…
Christianity and Culture
The February 2016 conference on Christianity and culture for Lisu Christian leaders from Myanmar and China, held under tents, with guest speaker Jim Johnson.
Culture Clash
A wedding that blended two cultures, and a Lisu book published with help from Christian friends.
Mission works in China
Stephen with a Lisu woman who is seeking the truth, and a group picture from a conference, from the update on mission work in…
Equipping Servant Leaders
A class on the book of Hebrews with AIS students, a student choir led by Mary, and Moses preaching.
Is God Moving among Us?
AIS students and teachers, including a class taught six hours a day for 12 days and Becky teaching English.
The World Needs Jesus Christ
Includes Lisu ladies in traditional dress, a meeting with local non-Christian leaders, and a typical Lisu house in Kaya state, from the update about…
Youth Camp in Myitkyina
Classes, teaching and evening devotions at a youth camp in Myitkyina, plus digging a well.
Happy Easter to you all
Help money delivered to Chinese Christian leaders for refugees living in tents, followed by the 2015 Lisu Cultural Seminar and an honoring dinner with…
Happy Lunar New Year
How Lahu and Akha people in northern Thailand celebrate their New Year, with house devotions and family time.
Happy New Year 2015
Includes a teaching conference for Bible teachers in Myitkyina, Myanmar, Nick introducing youth ministry to church leaders, and a church of almost 1,000 members.
Aligning with the Word of God
Leaders study 2 Corinthians for two weeks, then preach in local churches at the weekend.
An Open House Ministry
Baptisms held indoors during heavy monsoon rain, including one in a bathtub, from the update about AFC's open-house ministry.
Equipping Christian Leaders
AIS students and leaders studying and serving together, including a group at Hui Ko Church.
Pray for Thailand, June 2014
A 2 Corinthians class with Dr. Derek Voorhees at AIS, from the June 2014 update asking for prayer for Thailand.
Thailand in Update
English lessons taught by Becky and John, and Nick tutoring students on 2 Corinthians, from the May 2014 update.
North Myanmar Mission Trip
A mission trip to northern Myanmar: waiting for the ferry across the Irrawaddy River, drilling a well at an orphanage, and the children using…
A New Era of Mission
Preparing and hosting the Lisu cultural conference and exhibition held February 28 to March 4, 2014 in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces,…
Pray for Thailand, January 2014
Photos from the January 2014 update asking for prayer for Thailand.
A New Creature in Christ
Joe Snyder teaching a class on 1 and 2 Peter, and Stephen and his students visiting Lisu churches and new Wa believers at the…
Myanmar in Focus (October 2013)
The second leadership conference, held in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar, for church leaders from several ethnic groups.
The Wong Lifeline (September 2013 in Focus)
Lisu from China welcome Lisu leaders from Thailand with a traditional dance and gifts, and Stephen wears traditional Lisu dress.
The Wongs Lifeline on July 2013
New converts are baptized after Stephen and John drive through monsoon storms to reach a village.
Mission in Focus
Evangelist Kalip with new converts among the Wa people, and Stephen teaching at a Bible conference.
Burma in 2013
The March 2013 evangelistic trip to Burma, with baptisms, a truck ride to Doi Mo, visits to villages around the mountain, and an opium…
New Life in Christ
Coffee plants, a papaya tree and Lisu handicrafts, from the update about hosting Christian friends with agricultural experience.
Wongs 2013
Christmas photos from the January 2013 update, including a Christmas party at the Wongs' home for 32 Shan children from the neighborhood.
The Dawning of a new Mission Era
The 2012 leadership conference in central Burma, where more than 100 church leaders from over 30 churches in the Shan States studied God's Word.…
China Mission Trip 2012
A 21-day trip to unreached Lisu villages in China, including a 10-hour walk to one village, a speech to business and local leaders, and…
April 2012
A Wa village in Burma, a house church service, and a youth camp where 13 young people were baptized.
Wongs on February 2012
A group picture with Lisu visitors from China, from the update about a conference on Christianity and Lisu culture.
Wongs on November 2011
A group picture with the evangelists who work among the Wa people at the Thailand–Burma border. The same update covers harvest Thanksgiving services in…
