“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd, … For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” John 10: 11-18.
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| Barn in NangLae - Roof Complete |
Someone asked the other day about how the new farm was coming. I told them that building the farm in Mae Sai was a lot of work, Running the Farm in Mae Sai is a lot of work, and building the new Farm in Nanglae, while running a farm in Mae Sai is just down-right crazy. On top of that, kidding season is upon us early this year in hopes to alleviate the drop in milk production we saw last year during December and January. We have had 5 young does kid in the last week, and we have at least 10 more that will have babies before the end of the month, adding another level of complexity to an already full day of activities.
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| NangLae - Feed Alley at New Barn |
That said, we were never asked to come and serve at Narrow Gate Asia alone, and I want to take a moment to introduce you to someone that is important to our family, and crucial to operations of our bi-vocational ministry project.
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| Phii NatThaNii - NGF&D Manager |
Phii NatThaNii is the Farm Manager at Narrow Gate Asia. She is 26 years old, and a graduate of Bethel Bible Institute in Mae Sai, Thailand. She came to work for us three years ago on a part time basis to process milk while she served in our partner’s church and children’s home. She started full time as our Farm Manager two years ago and now takes care of all the day to day chores and logistics in Mae Sai from Milking, to Feeding, to Cleaning, to Processing, and even to birthing new baby goats and insuring that they are healthy. At our farm, we do have workers, or hired hands, but Phii NatThaNii is most definitely the “SHEPHERD” in Mae Sai. She does a great job, and it is important that you know that we have someone here to help us and work alongside us in the task that God has called us to do at Narrow Gate Asia.
Not long ago, I had to translate for her as she explained to a group of visitors made up of Thai and English speakers. I was blessed to hear first hand her story about how God was using her to do “Ministry” in our farm. She shared story after story about how God had brought people into our farm and how she was able to share Jesus with them. About how she was able to tell people the “Good News” of Jesus Christ in a personal and contextual way through our farm environment.
In addition, being manager at our farm has given Phii NatThaNii opportunities to develop personally. She has gained experience in accounting, people skills, farm skills, and in ministry. More than that, she explained to our guests the other day, that she has gained the self-confidence to know that she can face anything that comes before her in life. In our farm, while some days are very monotonous, other days present us with the opportunity to deal with the extremes of both life and death. To hear Phii Nat tell our visitors that, “I know I can DO IT!”, demonstrates that our project at Narrow Gate Asia is preparing the future leaders of the Church in Thailand to see God’s Kingdom come and Will be done right here in Chiang Rai Province.
Most of my time right now, is focused on developing our new project site in Chiang Rai and relationships in the community that will help our farm run smoothly and to minister in partnership with local churches. We have been blessed to see how God is guiding and providing for this new phase in our ministry. At the same time, it would not be possible without the help and support of our farm team in Mae Sai, especially our manager Phii NatThanii.
Time and time again, we see her acting as the Shepherd to our flock and to our team. She runs the farm like it was her own, often, sacrificing her time, and personal interests for the benefit of the project. She is able to do this, because, she recognizes that being a “SHEPHERD” is not a job, it is a calling. I have heard her say many times, that God has “Called” her to serve here, and we are blessed to see her grow and thrive in this roll. In the coming weeks, she will be moving to Chiang Rai, along with all the other “Girls” at Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy and will continue in her roll her. Not only running the farm, but sharing the Love us Jesus and bringing new believers into the “FLOCK”.
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| The Brittan's - Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Emma, Harry V, and Nellie |
Take this time, to thank God for our team and pray for God’s blessing on Phii Nat and her family during this time of transition. We still have lots of things to prepare and purchase for our move. Please pray for God’s provision of these things and the logistics related to the move. Just like God has called Phii Nat to come alongside us and serve with us, we ask that you pray about how God might ask you to come along side Narrow Gate Asia to pray, give, and serve.
Thank you and God Bless.
Specific Prayer Requests:
- Praise God for our Farm / Ministry Team
- Pray for provision and guidance for the materials and logistics that need to take place to relocate our farm and ministry during the next month.
- Pray for monthly ministry partners.
- Pray that doors will be opened to invite our neighbors into the Narrow Gate that Leads to Life at our new farm.
In His Grip
Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Emma, Harry V, and Nellie.
Send Letters and Tax Deductible Contributions to:
Narrow Gate Asia
P.O. Box 260275
Plano, TX 75026-0275 USA
Please use this link to go direct to PayPal:
Contact us on Facebook, or at hbrittan@narrowgateasia.org
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