During
this time that Harry B. Brittan and Hattie Brittan have been in the
states the rest of the family has been here in Thailand continuing our
"normal" daily routine. I think it is important to note here that Harry
is my husband, the kids' dad, runs the farm, sells our goat milk here
in Chiang Rai three times a week, on the front lines each day, and don't
forget he is the one who makes sure gets things get taken care of for
our family. Hattie, being the oldest daughter, has many
responsibilities here also. Her role as oldest daughter has been to
help out around the house, take care of the dogs, help sell milk,
student, and clean the house once a week. They are a vital part of what
happens around here for our family. So...we have all pitched in to
help fill these spots while they share with everyone the things that we
do here. I thought today was a good time to share what it means to our
family to be surrounded here by community.
First, the farm manager Nathanee has been excellent in making sure the farm is running smoothly. She has been making sure the baby goats are getting fed good, and she cares for the ones who are needing extra care. She helped deliver the new kids that were born last week. She pasturizes, bottles and ships the milk to me on the bus three times a week. She also sells milk from the farm. I am sure there are many details that I can not think of right now, but she is filling in for Harry with oversight and making sure everything is running right. The milk arrives in Chiang Rai, and May Roberts has been a huge help in selling the milk three times a week.
Secondly, we have had a few issues around the house that needed attention. Our water pump is having a hard time lately, so I called on my neighbors to teach me how to prime the pump. Still having issues two weeks later after three visits from the repairman. Tomorrow I call on the house owner to get it resolved. So we also have had issues with our drains on the second florr of our house, so Peter Bak came over
with his power sprayer, and cleaned out the drains. They work amazing now. We also were having frequent visits from our local varmits (two of them to be exact). The creatures seem to be getting more and more bold about being in our outdoor kitchen, so our friend Erik Ebeling has helped us out by setting out a live trap, and today he took away one such creature. This leaves only one more to capture. WooHoo!!
Thirdly, I kept wondering what I was going to do with my children on spring break this week and next week. A group of people in our community was going out to a wonderful place in the mountains west of Chiang Rai (Huay Khum Resort) for a few days of relaxing, fellowship, swimming, kayaking, and board games. A few different people in the group invited us to join in on the fun. Charlotte's mom took care of our house and dogs. There were 4 people in our group that rode bikes to the resort, but we just drove our truck. We just returned this afternoon from this wonderful get-away place. First, the owner of the resort is a member of our community. He graciously hosted us at the resort during these few days. What a beatiful place to go to get away. The rooms are beautful and very comfortable. the weather was hot I didn't hear any complaints about no AC units in the room. (Pictures to come). Second, the kids were able to be pretty free to play in the grass, go swimming, play in the river or kayak during the day. All the adults kept an eye out for the children, so the children could do the activities that they wantubed to do. Little Harry spent many hours down in the river thanks to Tanya and Troy Stuart helping to watch them play. Nellie loved being in the swimming pool, and there were always adults around to help keep an eye out. Emma was able to hang out with friends too. During times that we were not doing these activities we were probably having great conversations or playing board games. Some of my favorite from the week were Rummikub and Quiddler. Many more games were there to play, but I didn't get to them. It was a great time by all that came.
First, the farm manager Nathanee has been excellent in making sure the farm is running smoothly. She has been making sure the baby goats are getting fed good, and she cares for the ones who are needing extra care. She helped deliver the new kids that were born last week. She pasturizes, bottles and ships the milk to me on the bus three times a week. She also sells milk from the farm. I am sure there are many details that I can not think of right now, but she is filling in for Harry with oversight and making sure everything is running right. The milk arrives in Chiang Rai, and May Roberts has been a huge help in selling the milk three times a week.
Secondly, we have had a few issues around the house that needed attention. Our water pump is having a hard time lately, so I called on my neighbors to teach me how to prime the pump. Still having issues two weeks later after three visits from the repairman. Tomorrow I call on the house owner to get it resolved. So we also have had issues with our drains on the second florr of our house, so Peter Bak came over
with his power sprayer, and cleaned out the drains. They work amazing now. We also were having frequent visits from our local varmits (two of them to be exact). The creatures seem to be getting more and more bold about being in our outdoor kitchen, so our friend Erik Ebeling has helped us out by setting out a live trap, and today he took away one such creature. This leaves only one more to capture. WooHoo!!
Thirdly, I kept wondering what I was going to do with my children on spring break this week and next week. A group of people in our community was going out to a wonderful place in the mountains west of Chiang Rai (Huay Khum Resort) for a few days of relaxing, fellowship, swimming, kayaking, and board games. A few different people in the group invited us to join in on the fun. Charlotte's mom took care of our house and dogs. There were 4 people in our group that rode bikes to the resort, but we just drove our truck. We just returned this afternoon from this wonderful get-away place. First, the owner of the resort is a member of our community. He graciously hosted us at the resort during these few days. What a beatiful place to go to get away. The rooms are beautful and very comfortable. the weather was hot I didn't hear any complaints about no AC units in the room. (Pictures to come). Second, the kids were able to be pretty free to play in the grass, go swimming, play in the river or kayak during the day. All the adults kept an eye out for the children, so the children could do the activities that they wantubed to do. Little Harry spent many hours down in the river thanks to Tanya and Troy Stuart helping to watch them play. Nellie loved being in the swimming pool, and there were always adults around to help keep an eye out. Emma was able to hang out with friends too. During times that we were not doing these activities we were probably having great conversations or playing board games. Some of my favorite from the week were Rummikub and Quiddler. Many more games were there to play, but I didn't get to them. It was a great time by all that came.
We are already talking about next year. So on our drive home there was more fun to be had....my little truck decided to over heat. Discovered that there was little to no water in the radiator. argh! What do you do on a mountain rode, but pull over and wait for it to cool down enough. Rutha was in the truck with me, and she was a great encourager and friend during this time. Ruth and Chuck Fox just happen to be traveling with us also, so they stopped to help us out. Nellie Lutz and Ruth Fox carried a big container of water about 200 meters up the hill so that we could fill the radiator. I paced the side of the road thinking about what repair might be ahead of me. Chuck and Ruth discussed when to open the radiator, and we all found out that Ruth is an expert at filling the radiator when it is hot. What a jewel for her to be so brave to open that cap (after about 30 minutes of waiting)! After getting the water poured in, the truck was back on the road. No other problems came up...whew! We drove almost straight to the repair shop this afternoon so that we could get the problem assessed. P' Tawan, our mechanic, should be calling tomorrow with the prognosis.
So as you can see the whole community has been involed in our lives since Harry and Hattie left. So many names not mentioned here that have been a huge blessing to me during this time. I have been able to accomplish much with the help of everyone. Invitations to dinner, movie night, Easter celebrations, swimming, etc has kept us busy. One definition of community is a group of interacting living organisms sharing a populated environment. This is definately what has been going on around our family during the past few weeks. Praise God that community is a vital part of our lives. How do you see community for your family? Do you participate in a community? Maybe you have many different communities that you are involved in during any given week.
Here are a
few scriptures that help us to know what community is all about:
Acts 2:42-All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer.
1 Peter 4:9- Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
Hebrews 13:2 -Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Romans 12:9-10 - Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Philippians 2:4 -Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Acts 2:42-All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer.
1 Peter 4:9- Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
Hebrews 13:2 -Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Romans 12:9-10 - Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Philippians 2:4 -Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Pray Requests:
- Pray for Pattie, Emma, Harry V, and Nellie in Thailand.
- Pray for repair of the water pump on the car and water pump on the house.
- Pray for Harry and Hattie in the States and for a productive time there.
- Pray for God to lead Churches and Friends to Partner with Narrow Gate Asia
- Pray for God's Kingdom to come, and Will be done in North Thailand.
- Pray for safe travel in the States and return to Thailand next week.
Thank you, and God Bless.
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
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