Our Quiver Is FULL.

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

Wow, how has time flown by. My last update to you was five months ago. That is almost half of a year, where does the time go. As I get older it seems like time if passing so much quicker, but maybe that is because I am busy. Let me give you a quick update on what has happened over the past five months, and also share with you what is planned for the next few months.

I guess the best place to start is right where my last Blog left off. It was mid school break in October, and almost all of the children and Bible students had gone home for vacation. Maam, the girls and I were traveling to Bangkok to spend some time with my sister and her family and take some time to rest and relax before the new school term started. In my last Blog, I had mentioned that Maam and I were planning on coming back to the States in March of 2008 for a visit with our church, family, friends, and supporters. But during our stay in Bangkok that all changed, we found out that Maam is pregnant again. Yes that is right, we are expecting child number three sometime in mid May 2008. Right around the time Garuna turns three. It was a very pleasant surprise, and we are thankful that God has blessed us with another child; we were just really surprised at the timing. So following upon our return from Bangkok, we started to make plans for the upcoming year. Sadly we won’t be able to travel to the States in March 2008, but are currently praying about coming around December 2008. It is sure to be a challenge traveling with 3 little ones: Garuan will be 3, Bratana will be close to 2, and the new born will be 7 months old, but it would be special for our family if we can make it back to spend Christmas with them. Nothing is set in stone, and we are still praying for wisdom on how and when to travel back, but please know we do miss you all, and Lord willing are looking forward to getting back to the States sometime this year.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalms 127:3

The news of the new baby was the highlight for our break, and we returned to Chiang Rai rested and ready to start a new school term. From the first of November to the end of February I don’t really recall all that took place, but it sure was busy here. Here are some of the highlights:

October 31^st: All the schools open and all the orphans are back in School.

November 1^st: A team from Colorado arrives to spend a week helping out here at Akha Outreach Foundation. Their main focus while here was the painting of a beautiful mural in our meeting hall. The team was a huge blessing and everyone loves the mural they painted, we are already making plans for our other rooms in the meeting hall for future paintings.

The rest of the month of November was full of New Rice festivals in many of the villages. Sometimes we would be traveling to 3 to 4 villages a week, and with all the yummy food we were eating, the whole staff team put on a few extra pounds. November passed so quickly that we didn’t get much time to prepare for December.

I John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.

December 8^th we hosted a wedding celebration here for a good friend of the ministry. After the wedding, everyone worked extra hard to prepare for the arrival of our Christmas guests. This was going to be a very special time because we had a team from Singapore come celebrate Christmas with us. A very large team, 51 people total. This is the largest team we have ever had, and they were such a blessing to all the staff and everyone here at AOF. They gave us a very big Christmas gift too. A six wheeled truck with a covered back that we use to drive most of the children to school each day. We have 53 elementary students studying at the same school. In the past we had to take three trips to take them to school, but now we can do it in one trip. It is a huge time savor and blessing to all of us here at AOF. In order to drive this truck, you need to have a special license, and so the few months before the team arrived I was busy preparing for the test for my new driving license. The questions were easy, but it was all in Thai, and so I had to study extra hard and on the second attempt, I finally passed. So now I am the ultimate soccer mom. Everyday I take 53 kids to and from school and also to their special school activities. It is fun and all of the children love the new truck. The Singapore team was a huge blessing and we do look forward to their return next year.

December 25^th, the Singapore flew back home, and we celebrated Bratana’s birthday. It is hard to believe that she is already a year old. Both her and here sister are growing so fast, it is hard for their mother and I to keep up with them. Bratans was walking by Christmas and always wants to follow her sister everywhere she goes. They both keep us very busy, but they are such good daughters that we don’t really mind. They are such a blessing, and it is nice to come home each night to such cute smiling faces.

January was slower then the previous three months, and it was a great time for us as a staff team to rest and get caught up on some of our work. Towards the end of the month we hosted a women’s retreat, and like every year, it was truly a blessed time for all those involved. This year 95 ladies from 18 different villages joined the retreat. There is a change blooming among the families who have become Christian. Both men and women are learning about God’s love for them and the importance of each individual in the family. We know that villages can’t change except through the positive influence of the church, and the churches themselves can grow only as the family grows according to its God ordained roles. We are looking forward to a men’s retreat later on this year, and also a children’s camp in April. God is at work, and even though the churches and the members in them are very young in their relationship with Christ, there still is a strong unity and desire to know God more and to allow Him to work in and through their lives for His glory. Please continue to lift up our church bodies as they grow in the love of Christ.

February we welcomed a team of 16 people from Idaho. This is the third year in a row that we have hosted a team from Idaho, and it is truly a blessing to be reunited with fellow Idahoans. I might be biased, but I believe that our teams from Idaho are the best. They came to help build some shoe racks to help hold the 150 pairs of shoes that we have to deal with every time we enter a meeting. They also made some storage shelves and helped with some much needed painting. They spent a couple of days pouring cement at one of the villages were we are building a new church. It was a beautiful picture, watching the villagers, Bible students, orphans, and the team work together building a church. The church truly is the body of Christ, and this was a wonderful example of each member of the body working together for the building up of the church. The team also raised some money and spent some time building a prayer garden in memory of Manoon, the teenage boy we lost last September. We are so thankful for their help and their thoughtfulness for everyone here. We are already looking forward to their next return, and if you would like to possible join them next year, then please email me and I will give you their contact information. They mostly come from Twin Falls/Buhl area, but would gladly welcome anyone who has a heart to come. On this trip they brought a special guest. A young man aged 86 joined them, and was a huge blessing and encouragement to all of us. We are never to old to do the Lord’s work.

Also in February, we were able to attend the graduation of our nephew Naroong. He has been living with us for the past four years, and there were times when we weren’t sure that he would make it to graduation. But by God’s grace and a lot of patience, he has finally graduated from high school and is now trying to decide what is next. He wants to be a solder, and is also looking at studying to become a police officer. We are proud of him and eager to see how God uses his life in the future.

This now brings us to March. March is always a very busy month for us, because we celebrate endings but also new beginnings. All the schools and Bible school close during March for a two month vacation. Also we host a graduation celebration for all of our Bible student graduates. This year we have a special class graduating. Three years ago, we started to invite our pastors from our newly planted churches to come down for three days once a month for Biblical training. We have 13 churches under us but currently we have close to 50 people attending the monthly training each month. We found out that many of the villagers also wanted to attend the training and now we hold the training for anyone who wants to come and learn. After three years, they will receive a certificate and will officially graduate from the Biblical training program. This year is the first graduating class, we have close to 30 pastors and church leaders who will be graduating along side our Bible students on March 8^th. We are preparing for a festive party, and have three pigs that we have raised over the past year that will help feed the expected 1500 people who will be attending the graduation celebration. It is a lot of work, but we have many hands and lots of practice, so we are looking forward to a fun, festive day on the 8^th. Also starting on the 5^th and going until the night of the 7^th, we will have a revival meeting for all who want to attend. The theme for this year is “Rise and Shine”. We have special guest speakers from America and also some of the Akha leaders sharing with those in attendance. On top of all these meetings and celebrations, the schools that our orphans attend are also closing this month, and we are busy closing out the school year and preparing for the next school year that starts in May. March is a very busy month for the childrens’ team, because we have to manage school closing and also applicants for next year. This year we had over 40 children apply to come and live here. After lots of prayer, and many hours of visiting villages and each applicant, we have decided to take in 12 new children next year. Originally we were only going to take in 10, but there were 12 children that desperately needed a place to live and so we decided to increase to 12. Please pray for these new children and they prepare to come live here next year.

The finale school closes on March 14^th, and almost all of our children and Bible students will return to their villages to spend time with their relatives. This gives the staff team a chance to rest and refresh. Originally we were planning on traveling back the States during this time, but because of Mams pregnancy we can’t travel, and so we will most likely stay here and spend some time together as a family. My sister and here family are coming up for a few weeks in April, and that will be nice. Schools start in mid May and so we have almost two months to rest and catch up on different work projects. Mam, was hinting that she would like to paint some of the rooms in the house, so that might be how I spend most of my days, we will have to wait and see.

Thanks again for your patients and your prayers. The past few months have truly been busy and a times very stressful, but by God’s grace we have made it through, and now look forward to the next couple of months for some much needed rest and relaxation. You are very near to our hearts, and each night before bed Garuna says a prayer thanking God for you and asking Him to protect you. We do miss you all and wish that we could have visited you in America, but we trust that God will bring us together when His timing is right. Maybe in December, we will have to wait and see. Until next time, God bless and protect you and your loved ones, and once again, thanks again for your prayers, and your support. We would not be here if it wasn’t for you. THANK YOU.

Praise Report:
1. Praise God for another year of being able to live and work here at Akha Outreach Foundation. By far this has been the hardest year, but also the best year ever. We were saddened by the loss of Manoon, but rejoice that this year we didn’t have any of our orphans leave AOF. Our goal as a children’s team at the start of the year, was not to have any child live, and by God’s grace we made it. Thank you for your prayers.

2. Praise God because I am a millionaire. Yes you heard me right, I am one of the richest men in the world. It seemed like every month I received at least 1,000,000 in the mail. So many of you blessed our family with small care packages, and in each package were at least 10 bars of 100 Grand candy bars. I never thought that I would ever be a millionaire, but by your giving I am now the richest man in Thailand. Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog and to send items mentioned on our wish list. We may not be rich financially, but in terms of friendship and generosity, we are truly rich. Thank you from all of us, Garuna especially loves the Apple Jacks. She sends her special thanks.

3. Praise God for the special donations people gave to help pay for our insurance bill. Through you special gifts and a very special donation from a man in Indiana we were able to pay for our insurance bill in full. The total price was $3250, and that is exactly how much we received from you all. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out, for up until the last day it was due we were still $3000 short, but there were some friends of a friend of mine who came to visit for the day, and before they left one of them offered to pay the whole amount. God is so great! Thank you for your prayers and your giving.

4. Praise God for child number three. This was a very big surprise, and God must like to keep us on our toes. We aren’t sure what the sex is, and are thinking about waiting to find out. We do need help again with names, and so if you have some good boy and girl names, please email them onto us. The baby is due in mid May, and both the baby and Mam are doing great. Garuna and Bratana are eager for their new sibling, and we are trying to decide how we are going to fit all three of these into the bedroom, and the car. Thailand doesn’t have Suburban, so maybe if we keep going we will have to look into a mini van. But that is in the future. I don’t want to think about that right now. Please pray that Mam and the baby continue to do will, and that Daddy will have enough strength to keep up with Garuna and Bratana while Mommy is busy with baby number three.

Your Fellow Servants in Christ

Dan, Mam, Garuna, and Bratana Rutledge

We shall be made whole

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

School break is upon us, all of the Bible students and most of the children have returned to their villages to spend some time with their relatives. The break is only about one month long, but it provides everyone a chance to get away and rest. Currently, Maam and I are holding down the fort with the help of another staff couple and my brother Joe. Five boys remain, and though they are very active, it is still very, very quiet here. We are enjoying the peace and quiet, and are looking forward to next week when we will get some time to get away and rest. This week we are trying to catch up on all the things that we have needed to do for a long time now. The past few months have proved to be some of the busiest of my time here at Akha Outreach Foundation.

Working here I am constantly assured of not becoming bored with the same old routine, for each day provides a new challenge. Facing these constant challenges can sometimes become discouraging, but I constantly focus on the promises found in Lamentations 3:21-24

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"

Since my last posting to this Blog, I have gone to this passage many times. I would find myself closing my eyes to sleep at night, with just the faintest bit of hope left, but waking to a new morning with a renewed hope and a desire to press on. I am eternally thankful for your prayers and letters of encouragement and I want you to know that God is using your lives as a blessing for so many others. Thank you for being a vessel, ready and willing to serve our King.

Why were the past few months so difficult? Because it seemed like daily I was forced to face the truth that our bodies are fading away, and we will experience suffering while in this world. It all started shortly after my last posting to the Blog, when I had to face every parents fear, trying to comport a hurt child. It was a Sunday afternoon, and everyone was spending the afternoon relaxing and enjoying a day of rest. I was just getting ready for a nap, when I realized that I hadn’t seen Garuna for a while. I asked Maam if she knew where Garuna was, Maam told me that she was playing with the children and so there no need to worry. I felt relieved and headed off for my rest. Before I reached the room, I heard Garuna’s scream of pain. I ran outside to see what was wrong, and one of the children was already bringing her back to the house. Garuna was screaming, and as I approached I saw the blood covering her eye. My first thought was a lost eye and blindness, but buy Gods grace it turned out to be just a scratch. Garuna was playing on the play toy, and fell off landing on her face. She got a small cut next to her right eye, and now has a small (very small) scar next to her eye. When I was about 8 years old, I too fell and cut the side of my right eye. I required stitches, and have a nice scar, but Garuna’s was so small that no stitches were needed. Still the sight of blood and the screams makes one expect the worst. Praise God for His protection. This encounter was only the beginning of what was going to become a long three months of medical emergencies and trips to the hospital.

Only two days after Garuna’s accident, Bratana woke up from her afternoon nap in great pain. We examined her and could find nothing wrong with her, we just assumed she was teething and that was why she was crying. But after awhile we realized something was wrong. We began by checking her from head to toe but found nothing wrong. Maam kept noticing that Bratana was favoring one of her arms. She wouldn’t lift it our move it, and that was not typical for her. Bratanas favorite thing to do is to bench press pillows. Yes, you read it correctly. She loves to lay on her back, and bench press pillows. But today she wasn’t doing it. We looked closely at her arm and hand, she would cry a little when we touched her elbow, but there was no swelling. So after a night of restless sleep, we decided to take her in to have a doctor look at it. After examining her, the doctor decided that she had a dislocated elbow. How it happened we aren’t sure, but after an x ray, it was confirmed that it was dislocated. The doctor again checked her out and slowly popped the elbow back in. What was amazing was that Bratana didn’t even whimper during this whole process. The doctor and all the nurses were amazed, and immediately after the elbow was in place, she reached for the nurses to hold her with a big toothless grin on her face. We were happy to see that the bill for the whole day amounted to $30 and were even happier to see Bratana bench pressing pillows again.

But our trips to the hospital didn’t stop there. Later the same week, Maam woke up and the right side of her face was a little numb. At first we thought that she might have just slept on it wrong, but the next day it was even worse. By the third day, you could clearly see that the whole right side of her face was drooping, and she was having a hard time hearing out of the right ear. We decided to go have it checked out when she yawned and her jaw locked and she couldn’t get it closed. After the doctor looked at her, he said she was suffering from Bell's Palsy, a disorder that usually goes away in time. In Maams case it was about one and half months before she was back to 100 percent. Even though it was funny watching her smile with a crooked face, I am glad her perfect smile is back.

While we were waiting for Maam to completely heal, our next medical emergency began. One of the hardest things about being sick or others around you being sick, is the helplessness you feel in trying to help them. You see their suffering and so desperately long to ease it, but many times aren’t able. I truly hate this feeling not being able to help and the month of August was filled with it. It all started on a typical Monday morning. All the children were busy getting ready for another week of school, and the staff was busy helping them get ready. Every school morning we have a mass exodus as the kids leave for school. Currently we had 82 children attending 8 different schools. So we have kids going in many different directions by many different means of transportation. There is one truck that takes a load of children into the schools in the city. There is another truck that takes a load to a nearby jr high/high school. There is about 12 that ride their bikes to a different jr high/high school. And then there is third truck that does two trips to a near by elementary school. We have been doing this for a while now, and it usually works like clock work. But something happened this Monday morning that changed all of our lives for ever. Manoon was a 13yrs studying at Don Chai secondary school which is about a nine minute bike ride from our place. For six years now we have had all the children from this school ride bikes, because it is close buy and the kids really enjoy it. We have never had any accidents or troubles before this particular Monday. Manoon and some of the others left on their bikes as usual, and just outside of our property Manoon was struck by a car. The mirror of the car caught Manoon and his bike. Manoon crashed onto the windshield of the car and tumbled of onto the road. No body from our home saw the accident, but the first truck load arrived at the scene right after it happened. As quick as we could the staff rushed out to the road to help. By the time I arrived two of our staff and the driver of the car were already in the ambulance with Manoon and on their way to the hospital. For the rest of the day we were in constant prayer and uncertainty of how serious this was going to be. And for the next two and half weeks, God used Manoon’s life and this accident to teach everyone more about our wonderful Heavenly Father. Manoon passed away at 11:05PM on Thursday the 23^rd of August after 18 long hard days of fighting, most of the nurses said that if he wasn’t such a fighter he would have died in the first 24hrs following the accident. Not Manoon, he fought and he fought, and his courage and desire encouraged us and gave us hope. We are thankful that Manoon was a son of God, he had received Christ and truly loved to worship. We rejoice that his life here was a blessing to all of us and even his death was used to bless others with the message of God’s Love. The driver of the car is a soldier and is a Buddhist. But many times during this ordeal we were able to share with him the love of Christ and build a relationship with him and his family. He lives in Chiang Mai, about three hours from here, but when he has to come to Chiang Rai, he stops buy to visit our home. The loss of Manoon was a terrible burden, and no parent wants to have to lay to rest one of their own children. The were many long and lonely nights of uncertainty leading up to his death, but strange as it seems, the one thing we feared most was what brought the most peace. There is an Akha proverb that says: “Not only yellow leaves fall to the ground, but sometimes green leaves as well.” And another proverb that states: “It is not the length of life that matters but the quality of life.” The sorrow of his death, brought about joy of a new life. The tears of his loss, brought about hope of seeing him again in heaven. We all miss Manoon, but are thankful that he is with Jesus right now, and one day we too will be with him again. Thank you for your prayers during this time of pain we passed through, and if you would like to know more about Manoon and his life or see a slide show one of our staff made for him, you could go to the following link.

www.imaracom.com/cyberworks/manoon.html

During the uncertainty of Manoons accident, we as a staff team took turns driving his mother to and from the hospital three times a day. We also took turns bedside with Manoon. I have been to the hospital here many times, but during the month of August the hospital felt like my home. Following Manoons death, I was saddened at his loss but glad not to have to go back to the hospital again. At least that is what I thought. For the next month and half I have been going to the hospital or visiting a doctor at least once a week. First Garuna got a really bad cold, followed by Bratana and Maam. Finally I got the same cold and after a week of feeling on the verge of death, I began to recover, only for Garuna to become sick again. Praise God the second time wasn’t as bad, and we are all health now.

My final trip to the doctor came this past week when I had to go to the dentist to get a small filling in one of my teeth. It turned out to be a hour long ordeal and costing a lot more then I expected. But praise God the tooth is better and I feel a lot better. When something major happens here, life doesn’t stop and you don’t get time off. You still have children that need to get to and from school, homework that needs to helped with, classes you need to teach, food that needs to be bought and cooked, and everything else that makes up a normal day here. The break has arrived though, and we are thankful for God seeing us through the past few months, and also trusting that the next two weeks will truly be a time of rest and relaxation for everyone here. I am looking forward to spending some time alone with my family. We are traveling to Bangkok and going to spend some quiet days resting in our air-conditioned rooms. We really wanted to travel to New Zealand to visit Maams sponsors, but lack of finances and time prevented that. We are praying for a chance to visit them soon. For now Bangkok will have to do.

Thanks again for your prayers and I ask that you will continue to lift up everyone here at the home and Manoons Mother and brothers. Also the soldier and his family, God is at work in their lives and we are eager to see what come about. Pray that Maam, Garuna, Bratana and I will have a nice week of rest in Bangkok, and will be refreshed for the start of the new term the last week in October.

On a final note I want to thank all of you who have sent goodies our way that we listed on our wish list. The weather has been hot and the lemon aide has tasted so good. The 100 grade bars are a true déclassé and I have to ration them so that they don’t get eaten to fast. Garuna loves Apple Jacks now, and now her and daddy share a box when one comes. Thank you so much for your care, it may seem small, but it is a huge blessing. Thank you.

Until next time, please know that we love you and are continually praying for you. May God continue to bless and protect you and your loved ones, and may your lives continually be a light to those in darkness.

Love in Him

Dan, Maam, Garuna, and Bratana Rutledge

Praise Report:

1. Praise God we have made it through another term. The children and Bible students are growing physically, mentally, and spiritually. For this we are so thankful.

2. Praise God I passed my Thai drivers test. I have had a Thai drivers license now for three years, but at Christmas we are going to begin using a big truck to take the kids to school. Here they call it a six wheeler, it is like a deuce and a half truck. So it is a big truck. In order to drive it you need a special license and I had to take both a written test and a driving test. The first time I failed both. The written test is in Thai and I still read like a first grader, so it was very hard. The second time they had someone read it for me and so I passed easily. Also the driving test was easy, I just messed up on one part and had to go back and do it again. Praise God it is finished and now I have another tool to help serve the ministry here.

3. Praise God our family is healthy right now and Garuna and Bratana are growing bigger and bigger each day. Garuna is right now singing a Christian song and reading a book on ABC’s. Bratana is nine months and is starting to stand on her own. She has two teeth now and loves to clap her hands. Maam is doing great, and everyone loves her cooking in the kitchen.

4. Praise God for the needed finances to pay for all of our expenses. There were some times, it looked like we might be short, but in the end there always was enough. Thank you for your gifts, we can’t do this with out you.

5. Praise God for Dr. Luce and his two dental assistants that spent a week here providing dental care and treatment for everyone here at Akha Outreach Foundation, and also many people in nearby villages. This is the fourth time Dr. Luce has come, and his heart to serve is truly inspirational. All the kids love him, and even though I have a fear of dentist, he is one man I love to spend time with and watch him work. Thank you, Dr. Luce and all those who have ever come with him to aide all of us here. There is a short interview with Dr. Luce at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1869843191842582785&hl=en feel free to check it out.

5. Praise God for the completion of the rice planting. Usually we plant our rice mid August, but this year the rains came late, and we weren’t able to plant our rice until mid September. It was hard work, but everyone pitched in and now we can look forward to the harvest in November.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray that this time will be full of quality rest and time for our family. We are all tired and we are looking for some time to unwind.

2. Pray for Gods hand of protection over all the children, Bible students, and all the staff during this school break and the upcoming school term. Pray for physical health and also spiritual growth and maturity.

3. Pray for the Akha Christian Youth camp that is being held on the 10^th to the 13^th of October. Each year they hold this camp for the Akha teenagers and have been averaging close to 700 teens each year. Most of the teens are not Christians and come from non Christian villages, so it is a great time to share the message and love of Christ with them.

4. Pray for all the staff here at Akha Outreach Foundation. We are having a staff retreat/planning meeting from the 24^th to the 27^th of October. This will be a time to evaluate the past term, and make plans for the upcoming term. We have three teams of staff working together to help this ministry function smoothly. The Children’s Team which is in charge of the 81 orphans that are living here, the Bible School team, which manages the Bible students and Bible school, and the Church Plant team which aids the villages churches we have planted and provides materials and training for the pastors and church leaders. All three of these teams are full time job, but all of our staff help out in the other teams when needed. Please pray that this retreat be a time of unity building and encouragement as we look to the term to come.

5. Pray for the children team and all the orphans here. I have now been directing this team for a year, and it has proven to be a bigger task then I ever imagined. I feel like a full time father to 81 children, but also to Garuna and Bratana. It is tiring and I would not be able to do it without the aide of my other staff members. I still need your prayers for guidance and direction, as I seek to build a team of people who will be able to build into the lives of each child. In years past we have had child leave because of different reasons, and each time a child leaves it hurts. So our goal as a team this year is not to have one single child leave. We base this goal on Matthew 18:14 “It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” We desire to press on towards this goal and trust that God will continue to use our lives to show His love to the lives of each of these children. Our desire is not only that no one will leave, but like it says in Matthew. Not one should perish. We desire that all of them are able to come to a saving knowledge of Christ and grow in their relationship with Him.

6. Finally please pray for our financial support as a family. The end of the year brings with it many expenses. At the end of November we have to renew our insurance for the year. This is around $2500 for the year. Also in April we as a family will be flying back to the US to visit with most of you Lord willing. So that is roughly $4000 for our plane tickets. You have been so faithful in your giving, and each month we have all we need. Thank you for your giving. But if you feel like you would like to give specially towards paying for our insurance or our plane tickets back to the States. Please email me and let me know. It would be a huge blessing to us.

Thank you again for your prayers and your support. We could not be here serving if you weren’t there serving first. Thank you.

Your fellow servants in Him

Dan, Maam, Garuna, and Bratana Rutledge

The Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For

To the faithful servants of God who are partnering with the Rutledge family as we serve here in Thailand at Akha Outreach Foundation; grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good and His mercies are new every morning. It is such a blessing to be known by Him and used by Him for His glory. I truly am blessed to be able to partner with you to serve the Akha through our work here at Akha Outreach Foundation. Thank you for your willingness to give, your willingness to pray, and above all your willingness to be used by God.

God is at work in so many ways, and His blessings are countless. I am not able to share with you all that God has been doing here, so I have decided create a top ten list. So please sit back and enjoy:

Garuna enjoying a northern Thai delicacy, deep fried termites. Yummy!!!!

Top Ten Things I am Thankful For:

10. This past December I celebrated my 34 birthday. Yes I know I am getting old, I am reminded of this everyday after playing Soccer with the children. I can’t run as fast as I used to, and I’m slower getting out of bed each morning. But we are not focusing on how old I am, after all this is a list of things I am thankful for. Shortly after the New Year it downed on me that I have been out of college now for just over ten years. I finished school in December 1996 and since that time I have been busy looking for a job. At least that is what I tell people. In reality I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a missionary for the Lord for the past ten years. I have been able to serve Him at Idaho State University with Campus Crusade for Christ. I have traveled to many places around the world with the JESUS Film, and for the past four years I have been blessed to serve Him with my work here at Akha Outreach Foundation. It is amazing that the number one thing I never wanted to do was become a missionary, and now that is all I’ve been doing for the past ten years, and it is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing; serving the Lord wherever He sends me. God has been so faithful over the past ten years, and I am so grateful for the chance to be used by Him.

9. This past Monday, our Bible school here at Akha Outreach Foundation started for its sixth year. Akha Bible Institute welcomed nine new Bible students this year. We are thankful for their willingness to come and study the Word of God and are eager to see how God in going to work in and through their lives while they are here. Please remember them in your prayers as they begin their pursuit of knowledge through the Word of God.

8. On May 16^th, we started our new school year for all of the orphans. I now know how hard it is to get everything ready for children as they begin the new school year. You have to buy uniforms, books, pay school fees, lunch fees, get hair cuts, and all needed school supplies passed out. For all you parents out there, I feel your pain. It is a lot of hard work and now I understand why parents love the first week after school starts, because it gives them time to rest and catch up on some much needed sleep. But if you think it is hard for 1 or 2 children, you should see the craziness of 82 children getting ready for school. It was a challenge, but through God’s grace we were able to get all the children registered and started for the new school year. We are thankful for the eight different schools and the opportunity they offer for our children to further their education. With our children divided up in eight different schools, it is a challenge getting them to and from the schools, but we are still thankful for the opportunity our orphans get to go to school.

7. Continuing on with the subject of the children at Akha Outreach Foundation. This past month we welcomed seven new orphans to House of Joy. We are thankful for these lives that God has brought to live here and has entrusted them to us, to raise for His glory. Of the seven, there were two girls and five boys. This brings the total of children now living here at House of Joy to 82. I can honestly say there is not a day that I am bored. There is always something that needs to be done. Also with the start of the new school year, I have been asked to take direction of the children’s ministry here at Akha Outreach Foundation. This means that I am responsible for providing direction and guidance for the 82 children of House of Joy and all the staff that work with them. This is an awesome responsibility, and the thought of leading and aiding close to 100 people scares me. But the directors have placed their faith in me, and with the help the wonderful staff team, my beautiful wife, and our wonderful Lord and Savior, I am certain that we will secede in shepherding the hearts of all the lives God has entrusted to us, for His glory.

6. Onto number six of our top ten list. Starting in June, Thailand begins the rainy season which last around six months. There are many reasons why we are thankful for the rain. The main is it provides relief from the heat that has been burning us up for the past few months. There is hot, and then there is Thailand hot. The rain helps cool the air and makes it livable again. The rains also bring water which is needed in the planting and growing of rice our main source of food. So we are thankful for the six months of rain that are coming.

5. Number five on the list is a new spot I’ve added to my Blog. If you look in the right column you will see a small list of items under the heading “Wish List”. This is a list of items that are not available here in Thailand and are things that we miss from time to time. We aren’t saying that you need to go out and buy everything on the list and send it to us. But our desire was to help answer the question we often get asked; “what are some things miss while you are away from the States.” I love living here and I love serving here, but I do miss some goodies from the States as well. These are little things, but when you haven’t had them for a long while, they are a real blessing. I just received a care package from parents. Actually it contained presents for Garuna and Bratana, but they didn’t forget me and included some of my Dad’s homemade raspberry jam. It makes the morning toast taste so much better, trust me. It is nice to get a little something from the home front from time to time to remind you that you aren’t forgotten. We added the five items on the wish list on the Blog to aide those who want to know what we would like from the States. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 117 Chiang Rai Thailand 57000. Just in case you needed it.

4. Fourth on our list is truly a gift from God and one that I am so grateful for. In April I started my fourth year working here at Akha Outreach Foundation. When I first came here in 2003, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to help, and for how long I would be here. But God has been so faithful and has blessed me with the chance to serve here in many ways over the past four years. I am also trusting Him to keep me here and use me for His glory as long as He sees fit. For now I am so grateful for God bringing me here and providing all I have needed to keep me and my family here for His service.

3. We have now reached our top three. Number three is the three beautiful women God has blessed me with.
Maam is a wonderful wife, an amazing Mom, and a first class cook, as all of us here at the foundation can verify. She rises at 5 AM each morning to go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast for everyone on the facility. After breakfast is prepared she returns home to get Garuna and Bratana up and feed. She is then busy cleaning the house and watching the girls until lunch time when she goes to the kitchen again. Her afternoon is always full and dinner prep comes around at 3:30 PM. After dinner is ready, she comes home and prepares dinner for our family. She is the first up each morning and the last to bed, but she always has a smile on her face and a spring in her step. I try to help her out the best I can, but she is an amazing woman and the three roles she assumes, she does extraordinary. The second wonderful woman in my life is my first born daughter Garuna. She is an amazing little girl and everyday I am amazed at her vocabulary. She is only two but she can converse freely in three languages. She is the inspiration for this top ten list; each night before bed we practice counting to ten in English, Thai, and Akha. This brings us to our third wonderful woman in my life, the youngest but for sure not the smallest. Bratana Joy is now 5 months old and is wearing the same size clothes as her older sister. When she was born, she was skinny and tall. Weighing only 3.2 Kg. By her two month check up she was 6 Kg and at her four month check up she was up to 9 Kg. Now she is 10 Kg only two Kg lighter then Garuna. She is a happy baby and lives up to her middle name Joy. Always smiling and loves her big sister. I am truly blessed with these three lovely ladies in my life and that is why they make number three on our top ten list of things to be thankful for.

2. Number two on our list is the celebration of Garuna’s second birthday which took place on the 16^th of May. It is amazing how fast they grow up and Garuna seems to change everyday. It is awesome to watch her converse freely in English, Thai and Akha. And it was a huge blessing once she was potty trained. Actually she was using the bathroom on her own two months before her second birthday, and it only took her about a week to master it. It is a huge relief for Mom and Dads time and pocket book. Now we only have to buy diapers for one child. We had a small celebration with some of the other staff and their children and Garuna enjoyed the cake Daddy made for her. She is a real blessing and we are so thankful for her. Her favorite present was the picture Bible we bought for her. She and Mommy read it every night before she goes to sleep. She is a great gift from God and we are thankful for her and her sister.

1. Now it is time for number one. Thank you for being patient and reading up to this point. Our number one on the top ten things to be thankful for is you. It is true that you are a big part of the Rutledge Family and our ministry here. Your prayers and faithful support are what makes it possible for us to live and work here. Our service to the Akha can only be possible through your service to us. And for this we are truly thankful. Thank you for your prayers, your financial gifts, and your words of encouragement. Your faithfulness has amazed me and has propelled you to the top of our top ten list. Thank you so much and we pray that God will continue to bless you abundantly and you continue to allow Him to work in and through you.

Will this is the end of the Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For. I pray that you have enjoyed reading through it, and I pray that is has encouraged you and reminded you of God’s faithfulness. God is truly good, and it is such a blessing to be used by Him in order to show His glory. I know that His blessings are new each morning, and I look forward to sharing with you more of His wondrous works in our next Blog. Until then, could you please remember me, my family, the staff, and all the children, Bible students, and churches God has entrusted to our care. As I assume this role of leadership, I know that only through His hand of guidance will I be able to secede and so I pray that daily I will seek Him first and continually give Him all the glory. Thank you for your prayers and support and please feel free to email me. I would love to hear how God is working in your life and if there is anyway I could help you.

God bless and keep you.

Serving together for His Glory

Dan, Maam, Garuna, and Bratana Rutledge.

The Rutledge Review

Happy New Year from Chiang Rai Thailand. Yes I know that might sound strange, specially since it is already the middle of April. I decided to start this by wishing you a happy new year because of two reasons.
1. In Thailand we just celebrated the Thai New Year, (Songkran)
2. Also I have not been very faithful in keeping you all up to date on what is going on here, in fact I haven't shared with you since December. For this I am sorry, and there has been so many things that have happened here over the past four months that now it is impossible for me to catch you up on everything. Sadly I will have to just mention some highlights and promise to be more faithful in my future correspondence with you.

Since I last wrote to you, Akha Outreach Foundation has been blessed to host a number of different teams. During Christmas time we welcomed a team of builders and helpers from a church in Twin Falls, Idaho. Following a wonderful two weeks spent with them, we welcomed my parents and their friend Judy for a while. This was an especially blessed time for us as a family, as my Mom and Dad got to visit our new daughter Bratana Joy for the first time. My sister and her family came up from Bangkok and even though our house was full, it was still so special. We are sad my sister Catherine and her daughter couldn't have joined us, but we trust that they will get a chance to come for a visit too. While my parents were here, my Mom was able to work on loving the new granddaughter(like all good grandmothers) and my Dad was able to bless us with some much needed home repairs and additions. Including kitchen cabinets for my very patient wife, who had waited a whole year to have her cabinets put in so she could have a completed kitchen. It was such a blessing to have my parents here, and I do pray for a chance for them to come back again.

Shortly after my parents left, we welcomed the board of directors for Akha Outreach Foundation and also hosted our second graduation for the Akha Bible Institute. Three days before the graduation, we hosted a revival meeting with many Akha's attending, all caped off with the graduation ceremony in front of over 1000 people. It was a very busy day, and all the staff worked extremely hard, but we can honestly say, "fun was had by all". We are excited to wait and see how God is going to work in and through the lives of these 12 new graduates. Three of them will be working among the Akha in two very closed countries to the gospel. It is exciting to see the Akha reaching out to their fellow Akha across the boarders. Please remember all the graduates and Bible students in your prayers. Our aim is to train them through the power of Christ and then to send them with that power to train others.

Following graduation and school break for the Bible school, we started to focus on the school break that was approaching for all our children. In Thailand the summer break starts in the middle of March and goes to the middle of May. During this time most if not all of our children return to their villages to spend time with their relatives. This is very important and a main focus of ours, to keep the children attached to their culture and their families as much as possible. During school breaks it is a great time for the children to help their families out in the fields and around the house. It is also a great time for them to share with others what they have learned during their time here. We pray that they will be agents for His glory while they are in the villages.
During this school break, is also a time that our staff gets some time off. Last year we were able to travel to the States and visit with many of you. We truly wish that this year we could have traveled back again for a visit, but the cost was too much, and we are just looking for some time to rest before school starts up again in May. We haven't had much time to rest up until now. After the schools were closed, we were busy registering kids for the next school term, and also making preparations for the children's return. We have been reviewing and revamping many aspects of the children's team and our making sure that we are doing all we can to sheperd the hearts that have been entrusted to us. It is an awesome task and none of us are capable to do it, apart from the help of God.
Please be in prayer for us as we look to the start of the new year. We will have 81 children come May, and we desire to see each and everyone of them grow in their knowledge, love, and relationship with God. And as He fills them, they will pass it onto to others.
I am sorry that I haven't written to you before. I missed wishing you Happy New Year, Happy Saint Patric's Day, April Fools Day, and also Happy Easter. But I haven't missed all of the holidays, I can wish you Happy Tax Day. Ok bad joke. Sorry.
Seriously, I am sorry that I haven't written more often, and even though I have been very busy, I still want you to know that I do take time to think about you and thank God for all of your prayers and support which makes it possible for Maam and I to raise our family here and serve the ministry. We ask you to please continue to pray for us as the next year offers new challenges, I will be leading the children's team, and with that title comes a lot of responsibility. I have a hard enough time trying to raise my two daughters, I know it is impossible to raise 81 children by myself, and so I ask you to partner with me through prayer and advice, as I seek God's continual guidance and strength to help me shepherd these lives that He has entrusted to us for His glory. I will be more busy next year then I have ever been, but I promise to take more time to update you on how God is at work here at Akha Outreach Foundation, and in our lives.
I am going to bring this to a close now. Tomorrow, my family and I are running away for a week vacation and to catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation. Since I last wrote to you we have been going full speed, but now we have some time to rest and just be a family. So please pray that we have a restful time and that we will be able to return rejuvenated for the new school year.
I also ask you to pray for my Mom and my Dad. I just received an email from my older sister saying my Mom is in the hospital with possible liver failure, and my Dad is sick also. We still don't know the extent of the problems, and my sister may be flying out to check on them. We know that they are in God's hands, and the best thing we can do is pray, but it is hard when you are so far away from you loved ones when they are in need. Please join me in praying for healing and also for strength for them and us as we are apart.
In closing, if you have a free minute, we would love to hear from you. I know I haven't been very faithful in writing to you, and I know that you are also very busy. But it is truly amazing how wonderful it feels to get emails from you. Fill free to write anything or ask anything. It is nice to know that we are missed and not forgotten.
Thanks and God bless you and keep you for His glory.

Dan, Maam, Garuna, and Bratana.

The Gift of Life

Greetings once again from Chaing Rai, I trust that you have all had a wonderful Christmas and I pray that your New Year will be blessed also. Here at Akha Outreach Foundation we are busy getting ready for our Christmas celbration which will take place on the 31st of December. We decided to celebrate New Years and Christmas on the same day. It may seem strange celebrating Christmas on the 31st but since the schools don't close here for Christmas but do for New Years Day, it is easier to celebrate Christmas on a day that the kids can be home to enjoy it and don't have to focus on school.
We must remember that Christmas is not just about a day, it is about celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Living in Asia over the past few years, I have also come to see that Christmas is more about family time then presents, and at Christmas we can celebrate the truth that we are all apart of God's family through the present of Jesus Christ. Our hope for the World.
Speaking of hope and presents, we would like to introduce everyone to our new daughter born on Christmas day, at 1:15PM. "Bratana" Rutledge is healthy and looks very much like her older sister except she was a lot thinner at her birth then her older sister. Mam is doing great and we are back home now getting back into the swing of things. Garuna loves her new sister, and always is asking where she is. Daddy, is doing great too. I have been blessed with two wonderful daughters and a super wife. Both Garuna and Bratana have been easy babies. Bratana sleeps throughout the night and is doing great nursing with Mam. Mam is great too, and all I have to do is change diapers and make sure Mam has all she needs. Which is my pleasure.
We still aren't sure on an English name, we are leaning towards "JOY" but we are going to wait until my parents come next month to decide on a name. We are also waiting for her Akha name. This Mam's parents will give. Her Thai name "Bratana" pronounced Bra ta naa means hope. We chose this because Christmas is a time we celebrate hope. The hope found in the gift of Jesus Christ. Garuna has already given her younger sister a nick name. "Banana" because she has a hard time saying little sisters name.
We thank you for your prayers and you help. God has been faithful and has truly blessed our family during this holiday season.
We pray that you and your family have a happy holiday season and a blessed New Year. WE miss you all and look forward to the day you can see little "Bratana" in person.
Here are some pictures of the ever growing Rutledge family.
God bless you all
Dan, Mam, Garuna, and Bratana

The Rutledge Review

December 19th, 2006

"Well may we rejoice to ‘talk of all His wondrous

works,’ and show how practical a thing

it is to trust in the ‘Living God.’”

Dr. William M. Bergin

"You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5
Welcome once again to the Edge. I started this blog in the hopes of being able to communicate more often about what is happening with the Rutledge family while we are serving here at Akha Outreach Foundation. Sadly though the past few months have proven to be crazier then most and I haven’t been able to update you as often as I would like. In fact you can say that since I last shared with you life for the Rutledge family and also for the ministry here has been on the EDGE. I don’t intend to use the term on the Edge as something bad, instead we are focusing on life lived on the Edge of Gods greatness. Each day brings new challenges and new blessings as we follow God and His work in our lives and also the lives of those we come in contact with. Even though the past few months have been crazy, and there are days we do fill like we are teetering on the edge of insanity, God’s faithfulness is so great, and when we feel we are on that edge, He is always there to push us forward for His glory.

A life of ministry always offers new challenges, but this is the life that God called us all to, and we can press on knowing that He is not only with us, but has gone before us and is following behind. That no matter where or when we are. He is there for us. Life here is a challenge, but it is not boring; because we are living on the Edge of Gods greatness.

Now that I have warmed you up, let us jump right in and look at some things that have been going on here at Akha Outreach Foundation.

Quick Response Team:

First I want to thank you all for your quick response to my last Rutledge Review. I was able to get most of your addresses in time and your Christmas gifts should be arriving soon. Honestly we wanted to send each of you a special card, but we simply ran out of time to get them all written before the team left. Even though there was no card this year, please know that you are in our prayers, and we are truly thankful for all you do to help make it possible for our family to live and serve here in Thailand. I trust that your gifts arrive before the New Year and ask you to please continue to partner with us throughout the upcoming year. Your prayers and support are priceless and we could ask for no greater gift. Thank you.

Packages full of Care:

Second I would like to thank you who do take the time to read our Blog. I know that there are so many other things out there to read, and sometimes my letters get a little long, but I am thankful that you do take the time to read about what God is doing in and through the Rutledge Family. I was amazed when I received an email from one of you asking for our mailing address. After receiving the address, they proceeded to mail us a care package, filled with Christmas gifts for Maam and Garuna, and also some Pretzels for me. Words can not express the gratitude we felt at receiving such a small gift. Sometimes the fillings of being forgotten do visit us, but it is little things like emails, and small gifts that remind us that we aren’t alone, you are here with us, and that together we can press on for the Glory of the King. Thank you for your emails, your prayers, and your little gifts. They seem small, but they are bigger then you could imagine. Thank you for your time.

Emmanuel:

Thirdly, I would like to share with you what the next few weeks hold for us. It amazes me how faithful God truly is. There have been times over that past few months that I can honestly say that I was at my end. I didn’t have the answers to the problems we were facing, and I for sure didn’t have the strength to fight them. But God being always present, and all knowing, was not only able to guide us to a solution, but also refresh our weary souls. I can honestly say that the past few months have been the busiest I have ever been, and the next few weeks are going to be even busier. But God is our hope, and I especially enjoy the Christmas season because it reminds us of a crucial truth. “Emmanuel” God with us. I love the truth that Christ’s birth brings hope for all our days, because no matter what we may face, God is with us. I know that the past few months were hard, and the next few weeks will be even harder, but God is with us. With this truth we rejoice to see what tomorrow brings.

The Gift of Life:

But what does tomorrow bring? Well for all of us at Akha Outreach Foundation, it brings the beginning of a very busy two weeks. First, my sister and her family arrive for a four day visit and a short Christmas celebration. The day after their arrival we have a team of 18 people from Idaho arriving to help celebrate Christmas with everyone here, and also bless us with some different work projects. We are looking forward to this time spent with both my sister and her family and also the Idaho team, but as a family we are also looking forward to spending time with someone else. That is right the baby that we thought was going to be born in January has now decided to join us for Christmas. After visiting the doctor, it looks that we will be spending our Christmas at the hospital welcoming our second daughter into the world. We are so very excited, but we are also extremely tired because this is our busiest time of the year and we are doing all we can to get everything ready for our daughters birth. On top of all the normal stuff that is going on: Christmas celebrations in villages, sport days at the schools, and daily care for all the orphans and Bible Students, last week we found out that Maam’s brother was arrested for drugs, and is facing the possibility of spending the next 15 years in prison. He has two children, his son is living with us already and his daughter is at home in the village with her Grandparents. He was arrested because a friend of his told the police that Maam’s brother had sold him the drugs. We believe he is innocent, but here you are guilty until proven otherwise, and it would cost a lot of money to try to fight this. So right now we are doing what we can do to help and trusting that God will continue to use this situation for His glory. It looks like with the help of a lawyer he can be out of prison in about a years time, but we still need to find enough money to pay for the lawyer. We found a good one, who is Akha and works a lot on cases like this one. She gave us a good deal on her fees, but still it is going to cost about 50,000 Baht or $1,500. We don’t have this money, and right now we are stretched in helping to provide for Maam’s parents since her brother is not able to do that anymore. So we are waiting and trusting in God for His solution. Please be in prayer for Maam and her family during this time. We have been able to visit her brother a couple times in jail, and thus far have been able to help provide for all his needs, and the families. But emotionally this is really hard for Maam, and she really longs to help, but knows she isn’t able to help completely. And with the birth of our daughter coming in the next week, it has proven to be a real stressful week for us as a family.

Please pray that Maam will be able to stay calm during this time, and that we will have enough money to cover the birth and also help out in anyway we can with her brothers legal fees. Also pray for all the staff as they pick up the slack of our absence during this time that the team is here and everyone is busy with the holiday celebrations.

I know this is issue is short and kind of sporadic. I wish I had more time to share with you what God is doing, but I know this is the last day I will be able to write to you before all our guests arrive and life gets really busy. So I am working hard trying to get this out to you tonight. A great way to spend ones birthday, isn’t it. Yes that is right, it is my birthday tonight. December 19^th, Happy Birthday to me. Thank you for taking time to read this issue of the Rutledge Review. I look forward to celebrating with you the arrival of our new daughter _____________. We still don’t have a name for her yet. So, in hopes of choosing a name soon, we are open to any suggestions you might have. And in the case of us using the name you suggested, we will award you with a very special gift. So think carefully and please email us back quickly with name suggestions. For her birthday is only a few days away.

Thanks for your time and we are looking forward to hearing back from you. May your Christmas season be joyful and your New Year blessed. Remember that Emmanuel has come, and God is with us all.

Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year from Akha Outreach Foundation and The Rutledge Family.

God Bless you all.

“To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:25

PRAISE AND PRAYER:

Praise Report:

1. Praise God for the opportunity to live and minister here in Thailand.

2. Praise God for the wonderful wife He has given me and the two beautiful daughters He has blessed us with. We know that each of them is fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you God

3. Praise God for the opportunity to host teams from different parts of the world, even Idaho. And for the opportunity to be a blessing to others, as they bless us.

4. Praise God for family. Tomorrow we get to spend four days with Dawna and her family, and also my parents are coming in January for a visit. We only pray that Catherine and Hannah can visit us soon. We miss you all.

Prayer Requests

1. Please be in special prayer for Maam and her family during this time of uncertainty about her brother’s future. We don’t know what lies ahead, but God does, and we trust in His provision, His faithfulness, and His hope.

2. Please prayer special for Maam as she is preparing for giving birth. She is stressed, and we need her to be as calmed as possible. We are trusting for a quick and non problematic delivery. And also for the funds to pay for the birth. It is a lot less expensive giving birth here, but it still will cost around $800. We know God will provide.

3. Please continue to pray for the Rutledge’s support team. We have been blessed with many great supporters, your financial gifts and prayers are such a blessing. We are still in need of some financial support and also some prayer support. I would again like to remind you how key prayer is. With out your prayers, we can’t continue, so please say a special prayer for us during this holiday season. Please, please email me a short note letting me know if you are willing and able to support us with your prayers and with your finances. You can make checks payable to UBC Worldwide Ministries and send them to (University Bible Church Campus Box 8133, Pocatello, ID. 83209.)

Life here on the Edge is exciting, and I pray that you feel the excitement too. God is at work and we are so blessed to be a part of His work. You have all been a true blessing to our family and the ministry here at Akha Outreach Foundation. I want you to know that I am eternally grateful for all you have given, and for your willingness to partner with us here on the Edge. We press on in our hopes of reaching the Akha with the love of Christ, through the love of Christ. Thank you for your prayers, and please know that you are always near our hearts and in our prayers.

Your fellow servants in Him

Dan, Maam, Garuna, + 1 Rutledge

“He that is blest is himself a blessing. Let us wish

that for each other and be that to all those for whom

we work and for whom we care. That someone should be a

blessing to others is the greatest thing of all isn’t

it? Not just a helpmate, or a companion or a friend,

but a blessing.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer