This story about John came to mind this past Sunday afternoon when I was driving my truck to the farm for the last time. That’s right, the mechanic told me that it could be used in and around the farm, but an engine rebuild would be more than the old truck is worth. So slowly creeping along, with smoke billowing from the back we made our way to the farm. The drive from Chiang Rai to Mae Sai gave me lots of time to reflect. This old truck is part of my identity. When people see it, they know I am nearby. They know it is time to get to work. They know that the milk is there. Pattie and the kids know that I am home. My truck is one of the ways that people identify me.
Why is Identity important? It is important, because it tells people who we are, and more importantly it establishes how people should relate to us.
Jesus was identified as the Emmanuel, the Creator, the Messiah, The Savior, The Healer, The Redeemer, The Lion, The Lamb, The Carpenter, The King, The Shepherd. This list could go on and on as we look to God’s Word to identify the person of Jesus Christ. On Facebook, I identify myself as “Son of God, Husband to Pattie, Father to Hattie, Emma, Harry V, and Nellie, Church Planter, Dairy Farmer, Border Collie Owner. In that Order!” The people that know me in Thailand where we live and work, might add Cowboy, Milkman, Texan, and driver of that Old Yellow Farm Truck!
When we think about the task before us at Narrow Gate Asia, our identity is crucial to the effectiveness of our ministry. Our Identity defines how people feel that they can approach us. I love to see people laugh and smile. Yesterday, Pattie and I went to the market together to sell milk. The weather was great, energy in the market was high, and there were so many customers, that we sold out very quickly. While we were selling, we began to comment on how people reacted to us. They were having FUN. An American Cowboy, selling goat milk in a Thai market is not your average site, and it generates a lot of curiosity. It makes people happy, and it makes them smile. It also opens the door to not only talk about and sell milk, but inevitably, our friends and customers will ask a very important question.
“Why is your farm called ‘Narrow Gate’?”
It is our identity, and relationship to the community that allows us such and open and free opportunity to answer this question. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus describes very clearly for us that the Narrow Gate is the way that leads to eternal and abundant life with Him.
Help us pray this week for the following people who have heard about Jesus Christ and the Narrow Gate in our farm and from our sales cart in the Baan Duu Market in Chiang Rai, Thailand recently.
Loong Mongkong, Loong Sangtii, Phii Naan, Phii Laa, Phii One,
Pray that the Lord would call these individuals to him, and that their Eyes would see, and that their Ears would Hear!
As for my old truck … Well, we will wait and see. You can pray for that too. Meanwhile, I am driving Pattie’s truck to the farm, and she is using a car borrowed from a friend who is in the States until they get back in a few weeks. God is faithful to provide.
Specific Prayer Requests for Ministry and Family:
- Monthly support team in the amount of $25 to $500 per month.
- Vehicle for ministry/farm use. (Replacement or Repair)
- Development of an office & receiving area for guests and trainees at our farm project. ($6,000 usd)
- Construction of new barn for housing expansion of production goat herd for Pastor Career Distribution Program. ($5,000 usd)
- Purchase of Milking Machine ($2,000 usd)
God Bless, and thank you for your prayers and support.
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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Contact us on Facebook, or at hbrittan@narrowgateasia.org
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