So one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27: 17.
Gary and Harry at the Thai Myanmar Border Last week.
This past week, we had a special friend come to visit us from Tennessee. He serves on the missions committee at Thompson’s Station Church, and has been a missionary for many years, but more than that, he is a friend. Gary is one of those few people that I can share everything with. Even if I did not tell him, he would probable read my mind and know anyway. As you know from our updates, we have faced a few challenges this year, and it was a blessing to have him come out and spend time with us.
Gary Brought a suitcase full of surprises from the States.
YES ... Including Butterfingers and Skittles.
While on this trip, he got to see first-hand how we are doing in ministry, family, and health. A couple months ago, a Sunday School Class at TSC helped us go to the doctor for complete physicals and a second opinion on my health at a larger hospital in Chiang Mai. While there, the doctor was able to not only assess our health, but help us think through and plan for how to maintain and even improve out health for the long haul. Many years of training, practice, and experience make it possible for the doctor to fulfill this role.
Gary got to visit with are farm and staff at Narrow Gate.
With so many “opportunities to excel” (Not Problems) recently , it was good to have our friend here to review, give insight, pray, and to plan together for the future health of our family, farm, and ministry for years to come. When I think about the verse in Proverbs about sharpening Iron, I can’t help but think that last week was a time to work side-by-side with Gary to sharpen the blade. To make ready the tools necessary for the task that is before us. Just like when we tackle a new project at the farm, we have to assemble and prepare the tools before we begin. We may have a goal and even a plan in mind, and we may even have some ideas about the tools that we need to do the job, But we don’t immediately know exactly how each tool will be used until we are ready to pick them up and begin work.
Visit with Pastor Ahmeh, our Partner in MaeSai's PhaMii Village.
At Narrow Gate Asia in North Thailand, God has been preparing His tools. He has been preparing our farm, our family, relationships in the community, our team, and our ministry. God has been preparing the workers, He has been preparing the soil in the fields, He has been preparing our hearts and the hearts of the people and now it is time to pick up the sharpened plow and begin work. In many ways it seems we have been working for a long time … And we have, but just now, we are at a place where the real work can begin.
Harry and Pattie
I want to send a special thank you to Thompon’s Station Church in TN for sending Gary out. Our partnership with you in prayer, volunteer service, and financial support is needed and much appreciated. This time together with our friend and partner last week was not only good from a perspective of getting a “Check-Up”, but is was a blessing to our family and ministry to be able to think, pray, and plan objectively with the experience and insight that God has provided through you.
Hattie, Harry, Emma, and Nellie
Each and every one of us, needs a friend like this. We need someone who is willing to take the time to sit down with us, challenge us, encourage us, and even direct us sometimes. Do you have a friend like that? Are you a friend like that to someone else? Pray and ask God to send you a friend, and take the time to step back and sharpen your blade so that you can be ALL that God has planned for and prepared you to be.
Thank you all for being a partner with Narrow Gate Asia. Thank you for your prayers, and your support. And, Don’t forget … We want to hear from YOU! Send us your family’s update so that we know what you are up to, and how we can pray for you.
God Bless, from the Brittan Family,
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
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Contact us on Facebook, or at hbrittan@narrowgateasia.org
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