Being willing to make adjustments in our personal life style is what makes it possible for us to build meaningful relationships that will provide a venue for effective sharing of the gospel. In a culture where religious beliefs define who people are, it is especially important for us to find ways that we can relate to others in a way that will be significant and honor their identities at the same time. I live in an area where more than 85% of the community depends on agriculture for a living. So I was blessed the other day to discover that in our village I have a new nickname - "FARANG KASET", or "THE FOREIGN FARMER". I will always be a foreigner. I can not change the fact that I come from America, but it encourages me to know that my friends and neighbors in Thailand think of me as a fellow farmer in the community. More than this, I am praying that someday soon I will be able to call them fellow believers in the Kingdom of God!
Being the Farmer that I am, I returned yesterday from a trip to south/central Thailand where I had a chance to visit a livestock show and fair located at Thailand's equivalent of my Alma-mater Texas A&M. While the show was fun, the purpose of my trip was to begin the process of selecting stock for our farm. Following our selections, we will isolate the goats to verify their vaccinations and health, and then deliver them to Mae Sai in January.We visited a wide variety of farm types and saw many different levels of quality and management. While many of the locations demonstrated good agricultural principles, I continue to be reminded that our farm has an opportunity to help the local farms to increase production and quality through practical programs in the areas of animal health, feed production, breeding management, growing quality forages and silages, and agri-business management.
More than that, the Lord continues to impress upon me the importance of personal relationships in the community as a path to sharing the Gospel. As a farmer, I see an open door into the lives and homes of people who desperately need to know the Love of Jesus in there lives.
Over the course of the past year, we have had many requests from people, to contact them when the time comes to acquire livestock for the farm. These are people who have a heart for missions and recognize the vision that God has given to us for this self-sustainable farm and ministry. If you feel that God is leading you to be a part of Narrow Gate Asia through the purchase of animals for our farm, THE TIME IS NOW! Please feel free to contact us, and we will give you more information about how your tax deductible contribution will not only go to support the ministries of Narrow Gate Asia, but also pastors and church planters who are preparing to be sent into the fields of the harvest.We hope to hear from you soon, and thank you for your prayers and continued support.
PRAYER REQUESTS -
- Praise the Lord for friends on both sides of the globe, that make it possible for us to serve the people of North Thailand.
- Pray for our Sunday Worship time this week. We will be celebrating Christmas in Phaa Mii Village Church.
- Pray for financial resources for Farm facilities, Utilities, and Livestock.
- Pray for Thai Partners to join the Narrow Gate Asia team as we serve among the Northern Thai and Hill-Tribe Peoples.
- Pray for Co-Workers to Pray, Serve, and Give Financially to the ministries of Narrow Gate Asia.
- Pray the God's Kingdom will come and His Will be done at Narrow Gate Asia.
To Become a Narrow Gate Asia C0-Worker
Send Letters and Tax Deductible Contributions to:
Narrow Gate Asia
P.O. Box 260275
Plano, TX 75075 USA
Contact us on Facebook, or at info@narrowgateasia.org
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Forever In His Grip
Harry and Pattie
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