"How do you say, "Good Bye?"

How do you say, “Good Bye?”

Honestly, you can’t …  Thailand, and more specifically, Changwat Chiang Rai, has been our home for the past ELEVEN years.  God has given us the opportunity to chase hard after the tasks that he has given to us at Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy and Chiang Rai International Christian School… More than THAT, He has guided us and provided for us in more ways than we can even count.  As I look I look back, it seems more like a dream, than reality.  We have not only lived in a place where we can see the awe of God’s creation, but we have made friends, and even “Family” that could only be possible through the arrangements of His plans.  As if this was not enough, we have had a front row seat to watch GOD perform miracles that are beyond our feeble comprehension.

We have seen God Heal….
We have seen God Provide…
We have seen God say YES!
We have seen God say NO…
And…We have seen our God SAVE the people that we have come to serve, from lives of Sin, Shame, and Disgrace!!!!!

We serve an amazing God.  He has brought us to a place, where we thought we would serve and be a blessing to the people… But RATHER… WE, ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN BLESSED.

Tomorrow… Wednesday, June 7th, we will board the plane with our lives packed in to Twenty-One bags, Two dog crates, and Two cat crates.  As you already know, this marks the end of a season for the Brittan Family, and while DIFFICULT beyond belief… We look forward to the plans that God has laid before us.  You can read more in previous emails and blog posts about the “Whats” and “Whys” of this change… ( Brittan Transition ) But, that said, we believe fully, that we could not have scripted it any better than the way that our Heavenly Father has arranged.

Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy has been transitioned to Ms. Natthanicha Napphonthawee after having already served with us for more than six years.  The farm will continue to operate as a ministry of MDE and SEND International, and further the vision to reach people in North Thailand with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to talk to Phi Nat, so that you could get to know her better and to understand more about these changes from her perspective.  You can see the complete interview with Phi Nat on Facebook at ( NGF&D Interview ) .

We will arrive in Fort Worth on Thursday, and begin the process of settling into life in America.  Harry has a Construction Management Job Interview on Monday after our return, Pattie is pursuing a position as a teacher in a private school, the kids are preparing for summer camps and activities prior to going to school in Texas, and Hattie has worked hard to get the Mission House in Benbrook and many other details ready for us to arrive.

Now, as much as ever…. We need your prayers for these things during our transition.  Also, pray that God will nurture, heal, and grow our immediate and extended family during this transition.  We look forward to what God is going to do in the future, and we are beseeching the Lord for HIS guidance in regard to how our experiences will continue to be used to grow God’s Kingdom.

Part of Living by Faith, is NOT knowing what God has next.  That said, we DO live by faith, because we have seen HIS hand at work.  The BRITTAN FAMILY, MDE, and the board at NARROW GATE ASIA, cannot thank you enough… for your encouragement, your prayers, and your many forms of support over the years.  WE SERVE AND ETERNAL GOD! And that means that he is not done with any of us yet (US or YOU).  We must pray without ceasing… We must Press forward to the Goal… And no matter the changes that come before us the objective is the same…  KNOW JESUS…. AND MAKE HIM KNOWN!!!!

So, as we go… We want to say…

Thank you! We LOVE you!  See you in Texas! And someday…. We Will see you again in Thailand!

God Bless.
The Brittan Family,
Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Louise, Harry, Nellie, and Phi Nat

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"
and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Support the Brittan Family Online

Thank you again for your partnership with the Brittan Family and our project at Narrow Gate in Thailand.

"LOVE Never Ends!" (Important Transition Announcement)

Greetings and Blessings from The Brittan Family in Thailand.

The past several months have been busy with Business as Mission Training groups, Sustainable Farm Training, and of course our day to day ministry in Farm Operations and also at Chiang Rai International Christian School.  Even though we continue to stay busy, in the course of our work, I often wonder about the affect we are having on the community and about how God is using our project to touch people’s lives.  Last month, I had a woman in her mid-thirties come up to me and was so excited to ask if I was the American who used to sell goat milk in the market.  I said yes, and she proceed to tell me about how God had changed the course of her family through Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy.

Five years ago, her Buddhist husband, who I do not remember, would buy milk from me in the market every week.  He heard me speak often about Jesus, and this stimulated an interest in things about God.  After visiting with me many times in the market he prayed to know Jesus after watching Adrian Rogers on Youtube.  She went on to explain that it was because of our encounter in the market that her husband came to know Jesus and now their entire family believes!  It is good to hear about how God uses Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy, and this was a blessing to me and my family.

This is an important story because after 11 years of service in Thailand, God is directing us in a new path, and I want to share that with you today.

Due to personal health, family transition issues, and aging parents we are entering a season of time where God is leading us to return to the USA.  We will be going back to work and teaching in the U.S., and we plan on the kids going to school in West Fort Worth.  I will continue to be available as a consultant to the ministry in Thailand, and most importantly we are excited that we are able to transition the Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy Project to our Thai Staff.  They will continue the project as missionaries of Marketplace and Development Enterprises, a division of SEND International, just as we have done. This will not be a Stateside Visit as we have done in the past, but rather we are returning to the US to live long term, work, and pray about how we can continue to serve God in the future.

As plan for our return to the Fort Worth area and transition of Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy, we want to encourage you to continue to PRAY, ENCOURAGE, and SUPPORT our family and ministry during this important transition time.  We will remain on full time staff with SEND International through August, and will also have significant expenses necessary to facilitate the transition here in Thailand as well as our return and establishment in the States.  So please continue to give financially to support the Brittan Family throughout the duration of this transition.

In the future, we will also share with you, information about how you can continue to support MDE and the Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy project in Thailand.  We are so proud of Phii Natthannii and our staff here in Chiang Rai.  They have demonstrated their ability to not only run the farm business, but most importantly they have a heart to see the people of North Thailand come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!!!!

We purchase plane tickets for our family this week.  A container with our personal items will be shipped late in May, and we will arrive in Texas on June 8.  Initially, we will be staying in the mission house at First Baptist Church in Benbrook, Texas.  This will be close to friends and family and will be a good place to land and transition to life in the States.

Should you have any questions about our transition, I would love to visit with you more.  Please email us, or we can arrange a time to visit.

We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and financial support for our family and ministry over the years.  We could not have been here for 11 years without your willingness to be used by God to serve in this way.  We also thank you for your continued support through August, during this time of transition and we look forward to seeing you when we return to Texas in June.

May God’s Kingdom come and Will be done in North Thailand as it is in Heaven,

God Bless,
The Brittan Family.

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"
and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Support the Brittan Family Online

Thank you again for your partnership with the Brittan Family and our project at Narrow Gate in Thailand.

Join Us in Celebration! ELEVEN YEARS!

I look at these pictures and wonder, “Where does the time GO?”

March 19, 2006 at the Thai - Myanmar Border

Seems like just yesterday, but it has been 11 years … That’s right! ELEVEN Years since we first arrived in Thailand, and March 19 was our first day in Mae Sai, where this adventure that we call LIFE all began.

Every year since, we have taken a picture at this same spot in front of the border between Thailand and Myanmar.  In 2006, Hattie was 8, Louise was 6, Lil’ Harry was 2, and Nellie was 8 months.  We look at the picture today and we can’t help but realize that God has given us a heart and home here in Thailand.

March 19, 2017 at the Thai - Myanmar Border

Since our beginning with ARLDF doing community development, starting Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy, partnering with Baan Athitaan Church in Chiang Rai and Pha Mii Church in Mae Sai, and with MDE / SEND, we have seen God do amazing things as we share the love of Jesus in North Thailand.

Road Trip to the Border today.

Today, we went to Mae Sai to celebrate this anniversary.  We shopped along the border, where Louise says, “You can buy CHEAP stuff, that does not look CHEAP…. For a REALLY CHEAP price!” We took pictures at the border, and we ate lunch at the first restaurant in Mae Sai that we had Khao Soi Noodles at.  It was a fun day to just play, and reflect on God’s goodness.  We even took a “Card-board Hattie” with us to celebrate, since she is in the States!

Easter Sunday 2006 right after we arrived in Mae Sai.

It has been a busy few weeks at the farm…  We have hosted livestock training groups from ARLDF, Business as Mission groups with OMF, next week we will do site assessments for a partner in Myanmar, and we will be working through some planning projects with our Thai staff.  As we look back on the past 11 years, be in prayer with us for the future, and remember that God is Good, all the time!

New Years 2017.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our family, for our project, team, and for the people of North Thailand.

God Bless, and Thank you from,
The Brittan's
Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Louise, Harry V, and Nellie

To support the Brittan Family and the Narrow Gate Project....

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"
and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Support the Brittan Family Online

Thank you again for your partnership with the Brittan Family and our project at Narrow Gate in Thailand.

"We need our FRIENDS!"

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

The Brittan Family vision is to see Thai and ethnic cell groups of believers started in North Thailand that will develop into churches that reach out to their communities and to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The service and sacrifice of FRIENDS, makes it possible for our family to pursue the vision.  Those Friends, come in many different varieties, but each in their own way have played a part to send, support, prepare, and sustain us on the mission field in North Thailand.  As we close out 2016 we are thankful for all of our partners in prayer, service, and financial support.

Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy... Chiang Rai, Thailand

Also, there is a group of Thai friends in our Daily Lives, that have helped us make adjustments and life possible for our family over the past 10 years, and the Christmas season has been a good chance to visit and see many of them.

Spaghetti Guy in Mae Sai Feeds Us regularly

Phi Ning sold our milk in Mae Sai

Khun Prateep runs the largest Cow Dairy in Chiang Rai Province
and taught me about Dairy Farming in Thailand

I did a 6 month work practicum in his farm in 2008.

Phi Keek and her family loves our family and 

and has made us feel at home since we arrived in 2006.

Her sister Jang was a language tutor for our children at school in MaeSai,

and became like part of our family.

Pastor Ahmeh and Milky are partners, but more than that,

Friends and Counselors.  We learn a lot from them about ministry, business, 

and life in Thailand.

BaTeep was our house keeper and cared for Nellie and Harry when they were small.

She was like having our Mom in the house, and she made life

at home possible.

Phii Nat is our farm manager and she has also done 

Language tutoring for Nellie and Harry.

She is our "Right Hand' and takes care of the farm

and our family like it was her own.

Friends not only give us purpose, BUT….  Through their sacrifice and relationship with us, they help us to fulfill the purpose that God has given us.  We thank God for each of these special people and their variety of roles in our lives in Thailand.

We also thank God for our friends and partners in the U.S.A. who pray, volunteer for service, and who give financially.  In the final days of 2016, help us to achieve our financial goal of $25,000 usd to be used or ongoing missionary support and our outreach projects in North Thailand.  I am excited to share that we have come a long way towards that goal, but still have a ways to go.  Also, as we look to the future, we are praying for 15 new members on our monthly financial support team. This would be a monthly commitment in any amount that God leads you to provide.

Your 2016 financial gift can be quickly done online at:

Support The Brittan Family Mission

This webpage can also walk you through the process of setting up a regular monthly contribution.

Also… you can mail you tax deductible contribution directly SEND International at:

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"
and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

At this address, they can help process your checks, set up regular Electronic Funds Transfers, and also help to facilitate larger and like kind contributions.

Our family knows that you have a choice when it comes to the projects and ministries that you support.  And, it is our privilege to represent and serve you in this process.  We thank God for you, and you pray for His blessings upon you and your participation in the work at The Narrow Gate Project and The Brittan Family.

God Bless. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from…. The Brittans.
Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Louise, Harry V, and Nellie.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Pray for God's provision and our year-end goal of $25,000 usd.
• Pray for Harry's Healing and continuing recovery from Ulcerative Colitis.
• Pray for continued adjustment of Pattie and the kids for health and life in Thailand.
• Pray for Hattie in America and her life and studies at TAMU.
• Pray for God's Kingdom to come and Will to be done in North Thailand.

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"
and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Support the Brittan Family Online

Thank you again for your partnership with the Brittan Family and our project at Narrow Gate in Thailand.

“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10.

As seasons change, the Lord brings with it new blessing and new opportunity.  Yesterday, we were blessed at Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy with the birth of our newest buck at the farm.  This begins our kidding season, a time when we have lots of new babies at the farm.  We have seen hundreds of little goats born in our farm, and I never cease to be amazed at the miracle and the beauty of new life.  A doe is pregnant for about 5 months, and then when that special time comes, she instinctually knows just what and how to deliver this new baby and begin to raise it.  Immediately, she will begin to clean and care for this new goa, gently encouraging it to stand and walk.  With-in just 15 minutes, this new little one will have its first taste of the fresh milk.  It will be these first sips that are most nourishing and important to insure that they have good health.

This single new life represents the beginning of a season that will bring with it at least 50 new goats for our herd.  And so, we are reminded, that everything has a season.  We are already planning for planting season next May and we have ordered our grass seed that will further develop our farm and increase our capacity to grow feed for our goats.   As a project we have just come through a long season of establishment and growth for our farm/outreach project.  As we look to the future, we look forward to a season where God will begin to use our little goat farm to build relationships in the community that will birth and grow the local church among the Northern Thai (Khon Muang) people of Thailand.

Historically, much effort has been made to do outreach among the hill-tribes, minority, and at-risk communities in Thailand.  I believe that the next season of Kingdom Impact in Thailand is going to be among the Thai, and specifically towards the business people and leaders of the community. Our relationships at Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy are already opening unique opportunities to share the love of Jesus in real and tangible ways in the community.

The Brittan Family ministry, uses Business as Mission to see Thai and ethnic cell groups of believers started in North Thailand that will develop into churches that reach out to their communities and to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy has been the focal point of our ministry outreach and integration with the community and will continue to grow and serve in that role.

As we see this new life in the farm today… I am reminded of God’s call to bring Life to the people of North Thailand, and that everything we have and everything we do belongs to HIM and brings HIM all the glory, honor, and praise.

As we enter this season to celebrate the Gift of Jesus, we also want to thank you for considering The Brittan Family and Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy as your ministry partners.  We appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and financial support, and we pray that you too will consider partnering with us during this year end time of sharing.  Thank you.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Pray for God's provision and our year-end goal of $25,000 usd.
• Pray for Harry's Healing and continuing recovery from Ulcerative Colitis.
• Pray for continued adjustment of Pattie and the kids for health and life in Thailand.
• Pray for Hattie in America and her life and studies at TAMU.
• Pray for God's Kingdom to come and Will to be done in North Thailand.

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International" 
and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Support the Brittan Family ONLINE

Thank you again for your partnership with the Brittan Family and our project at Narrow Gate in Thailand.

God Bless, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
The Brittan Family
Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Louise, Harry V, and Nellie

"Goats at Abundant Life Church in Myanmar!"

In the book of John, Jesus tells us that “I have come that you may have LIFE… and have LIFE ABUNDANTLY.” This verse gives us a full picture of what it means to approach ministry from a holistic perspective.  Evangelism and Church Planting leads to Eternal Life, while Agricultural and Vocational Development opens the Narrow Gate to Abundant Life here and now.

This past week, we had the opportunity to begin the training process with a new partner across the border in Myanmar at Abundant Life Church.  The Pastor and his staff visited our farm to experience farm life, and participate in a discussion about the Goat Raising and how that could be used as an outreach ministry of the church.  Over the past 25 years, the church has had a vision to approach outreach through holistic community ministry.  As a congregation they not only worship together but they also volunteer to work together.  They have land where they plant vegetable gardens, have a production Rubber Tree plantation, raise pigs, chickens, and ducks.

Historically the people of Myanmar have had very limited resources and income.  This outreach has been able to provide much needed food for church members, the needs of the local community and for the financial needs of the church through the sale of products.  Their vision is to expand farm operations at the church and also distribute these programs to other villages where they have outreach points and new churches.

Last week they came to visit us at Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy to learn about how raising goats could be incorporated into their project.  This group was brought to us by our friends at Asian Rural Life Development Foundation where we served when we first came to Thailand back in 2006.  We talked about herd management, feed planting and production, milking, breed selection, animal housing, and about the process for beginning a farm operation.

We are planning for more detailed training and practicum in the farm in the future, and are also planning on visiting their church in Myanmar to fellowship together, do a site assessment, and help to consult on how best to work with them to start a goat raising project.  They look forward to helping other churches and outreach projects to experience abundant life through small goat farms that are run and managed by the local churches.

I continue to be amazed at how the Lord uses his people to provide for ministry, and in the case of Abundant Life Church, it is the hands of the church members at work that brings life to the community and to the church.  For the Brittan Family and our ministry with the Narrow Gate Project and SEND International… The prayers, encouragement, and financial support of churches and people that make our work in North Thailand possible.  We are so grateful for each and every one of you.  We thank God for your availability and willingness to support our family and ministry in North Thailand.

This Thanksgiving week… be in prayer for our project and how God is leading you to partner with us financially.  We are still raising funds for a ministry vehicle, school tuition, personal monthly support, and outreach expense.  As we approach this time of year end giving, we have an overall goal of $25,000 usd, and also are praying for commitments for new monthly support team members.  These funds will be used for immediate needs as well as to be applied to ongoing costs of doing ministry in Thailand for 2017.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Pray for God's provision and our year-end goal of $25,000 usd.
• Pray for Harry's Healing and continuing recovery from Ulcerative Colitis.
• Pray for continued adjustment of Pattie and the kids for health and life in Thailand.
• Pray for Hattie in America and her life and studies at TAMU.
• Pray for God's Kingdom to come and Will to be done in North Thailand.

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513
Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Brittan Family - Online Giving Link

Thank you again for your partnership with the Brittan Family and our project at Narrow Gate in Thailand.

God Bless, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
The Brittan Family
Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Louise, Harry V, and Nellie

"Being Knit Together Makes us Stronger!"

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27: 17.

Living and working cross-culturally has emphasized the point in our lives that we really do need partners to be effective in our work and ministry.  We have been blessed not only with committed partners, but with a Husband and Wife team that we love and consider out “Best Friends”.  In the Thai language… they do not say “best friend” but rather use the term “Puan Siniit”.  This translates literally as two friends that have been “Knit Together”.  I love the image that this word gives to me.   Especially when I think about Pastor Ahmeh, his wife milky, and their two beautiful children that come running up the driveway yelling for Uncle Harry when I arrive.

Pastor Ahmeh is from the Akha Hill-tribe in North Thailand.  He was lovingly saved out of a life of drugs, and God used that to call him to serve in his home village along the border of Thailand and Myanmar.  I studied at Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary, served in Thai and Chinese churches in North Thailand, and now he has been church planting in PhaMii Village for 7 years.  He started with 2-3 families and now more than 30 families have come to know the Lord and join the church in PhaMii Village.  Ahmeh and Milky also run a Chinese Language school that has grown to more than 140 students, as an outreach to the community.

Several years ago, they began an outreach in another village called PhaHii.  The village headman gave them some land to start a school even though he knew that they are Christian, and now they are beginning construction of school building on the Mountain and we are praying for the day that a church begins in that village as well.

Pastor Ahmeh is also a partner with us at Narrow Gate Farm and Dairy.  He eagerly embraces our vision for using Business to reach the people of North Thailand with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He has been an invaluable resource in regard to Thai Business and Customs, and he regularly brings visitors, children, and volunteers to the farm to learn, work, and hear about Jesus.

Our family loves to be able to serve alongside Pastor Ahmeh and Milky, both at the farm, and also when we preach, teach language, help with language camps, and VBS programs at the church.

Recently we were blessed by our friend to acquire a small car that  can dedicate for ministry and travel.  We have been driving the car for several weeks already and thoroughly enjoy the flexibility of having a car specifically for church and ministry use.  We are praying now for your help to raise the funds for the purchase price of $2,700.  Every year at this time, your financial support is crucial, as we have year-end expenses and projects, and as we prepare for next year.

Please be in prayer about how you and your family can partner with us, just as we partner together with Pastor Ahmeh to strengthen and support each other to make us more effective with the Gospel Message in North Thailand.

We are also praying for support for School Tuition $3,500 and continued health care costs $2,500.  The Brittan Family is continually seeking monthly partners to join our support team as well, and would ask you to consider how God is leading you to support our work as Church Planters and Business as Mission specialist through Send International and Narrow Gate.

Your Special or recurring gift can be mailed to:

Mail a check made payable to "SEND International"and (Include a note with our account #216155 - Brittan)

SEND International
Attn: Lynn Karidis
P.O. Box 513

Farmington, MI  48332

Or for your convenience, you can also give online at:

Brittan Family - Online Giving

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Pray for God's provision during this year end time of giving.
• Pray for Harry's Healing and continuing recovery from UC.
• Pray for continued adjustment of Pattie and the kids for health and life in Thailand.
• Pray for Hattie in America and her life and studies at TAMU.
• Pray for God's Kingdom to come and Will to be done in North Thailand.

Thank you and Blessings from the Brittan Famil,

Harry, Pattie, Hattie, Louise, Harry V, and Nellie.