McDaniel estimates that more than 100 organizations are proselytizing. "There's way too many missionaries coming. It's become a free-for-all. They come in with money from their home churches, with four-wheel drives, living like kings, like they never would back home," said McDaniel, whose forthright campaign upset many people, spurring whispers about his motives. McDaniel was reportedly deported by Thai authorities after being interviewed for this article; the reasons for the deportation are unclear.〔

Since moving to Thailand 15 years ago, McDaniel has started a small nongovernmental organization called the Akha Heritage Foundation. With an annual budget of $6000, the group provides services that range from the establishing of fish farms and publishing books in the Akha language to documenting human rights violations.〔("Cross Purposes. Federally Funded Missionaries Threaten a Southeast Asian Culture" ). By Steve Hargreaves. ''The Village Voice.'' January 29 - February 4, 2003.〕

Bruno, a San Francisco resident, teamed up with McDaniel on what she calls “guerilla aid style” missions to usher medical supplies across the Thai-Burmese border to Akha people. Both were fighting a common enemy – exploitation and oppression – one with a knapsack full of medicine, the other with a video camera. She remembers watching McDaniel motorbike across the border alongside black market traders and sex traffickers, wearing a leather cowboy hat and shouldering a knapsack packed with bandages and ointments for homeless Akha.〔(Horseman rides 'for freedom' through Coastside ). By Greg Thomas. May 13, 2009. ''Half Moon Bay Review.'' Half Moon Bay, California. There are some photos of the family inside the bus.〕