Open or Shut doors

(This is an email update sent on Sunday, October 7. If you are not receiving emails from us, please email us at brittanfamily@pobox.com)


Greetings from Mae Sai, Thailand.

As you may have seen from the reports, and from the updates that Pattie has been posting, things have been hectic on this side of the world. In our personal lives, we always seem to be burning the candle at both ends, and when we compare that with the crisis that seems to be going on around us, we really have to praise God for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to see Him at work.

One year ago, we were concerned because of the Coup in Thailand, and as a result, we have been living in a military state for the past 12 months. I am sure you can not miss the news about our neighbors to the west, and the situation there does not seem to be getting any better. The violence seems to have lessoned in the former capital, but the rumors of further demonstrations loom on the horizon.

Where does that leave Us?

Well you had better believe, we have been asking that question since we got to Asia 18 months ago. In a vague since, we have alluded to possibilities and opportunities, and we have asked you to pray for our family, and for organizational and governmental decisions that we are hoping to be involved in making. For more than 10 years, many people, including many of you have been praying for these very same questions and decisions, and we have come to a point in time were we need and want you to pray even harder.

For purposes of security, we can not go into complete detail, but because of our ongoing relationship you will be able to fill in any gaps yourself. Several months ago, the Govt. Department of Agriculture granted our permission for our Non Govt Organization to work “in country”. At this time, final approval is going to be left to the district authorities “In Country”. Therefore, my partner and I will be convening with our “In country” representative, Dept. of Agriculture, and with Military Command, in a small town about 5 hours north of the border. These meetings will be to discuss our business plan which has been approved at the National level, locate potential sites for projects, and to hopefully obtain permission for our NGO to live and work “In Country”.

In light of the resent situation in the country, it is amazing that we are still being given this opportunity. When we consider the question “Where does that leave Us?”, I can only say, “In God’s Hands”. I see three primary possible responses to the meetings that are coming up. 1. Live and Work In country with a project site, 2. Live in Mae Sai (Where we are now) and travel in and out for project support, or 3. We could be Denied. I do not know what the answer will be, but we are not asking the Military. We are asking GOD. Ultimately, this is His timing, and despite the poli-socio-economic situation, if He grants permission, and the door opens there is no holding Him back.

Tomorrow morning Monday Oct 7 at 7:30 am, we will begin our travel. I anticipate returning on Oct. 14, following our scheduled meetings. Remember that we are approximately 12 hours ahead of those of you in the US. So when you are going to bed on Sunday evening, remember us.

Pattie and kids (Hattie, Emma, Harry V, and Nellie) along with Jethro’s wife Omega and kids (Zerah, and Zerich) will be staying in Mae Sai. Please be in prayer for them as well. My prayer for them, is that they will see and feel God’s hand on them and protecting them, while I am gone. While I am there, I will not have email or telephone contact with them or others.

I can not thank each of you enough. You have all, always been there to pray and support us, and you have to know that we could not be here if it was not for you lifting us up to the Lord each and every day. At risk if saying to much, I urgently want you to know the details, so that you can be very specific in your prayers. In the past, we have asked for Open Doors. Today, we ask that he open it so wide, that there is no dispute that this is from the Lord.

I praise God for this opportunity. I praise God for you.

In His Grip
Harry