Hello
“T” wrote me yesterday. His brother Paul died from Covid one month ago today. As I have previously shared, he, at age 48, left much Kingdom work for others to take up. He left the Faith Missionary Training Institute, New Hope Children’s Home, the Biblical Christian Publication, and more than 30 frontline missionaries.
In addition to the loss of his brother, T is grieving for and with his father. T’s father, who is 81, has not eaten since a week before Paul went to be with the Lord. He also has not had anything to drink in five days. He is very weak and does not seem to want to live on this earth anymore. Our hearts break with T’s as he watches his father with a broken heart. T asks that we pray that his Dad will go home gently, soon. It is difficult to watch him. T says, “Physically, we are weeping, but our weeping is sweet.”
As I was writing this update, T emailed me. His father is with the Lord.
Joseph: I had a wonderful facetime call with Joseph last night. It was pure joy. He walked me through the entire farm. I wish you could see it. Banana trees that are full of bananas, mango trees, limons (lime + lemon), sweet potatoes, jack fruit, pineapple, bamboo, and so many other types of food that I could not remember them all.

The family enjoys the harvest!
I need you to know it is not just a few trees bearing beautiful fruit. There are rows and rows of trees. I could not begin to count them. I just kept looking at the beautiful farm and praising God for His generous and vast blessing. Then he showed me where the fishponds will be (there will be 2). He has already planted the grasses that will feed the animals. I could barely process all the blessings God has given on this farm. Thank you for your part in making this life-changing, life-saving farm.

The truck that was stuck in the mud.
It is the rainy season in Myanmar. Joseph showed me the ruts where one of the service trucks got stuck. They all pushed and pushed that truck until 10:30 pm. Joseph wrote me, “We are so tired, but we are so happy when the truck jump out from the muddy road.”

Future home for pigs
He showed me where the animal pens are going to be. He is placing them a distance from the home for sanitary reasons. The only way to get to them during the rainy season is to hand carry every brick or other piece of needed equipment. The path is just too muddy for a vehicle. He has requested a motorcycle, which should help the process.
They have a couple of dogs on the property for security reasons. Interestingly, there are three geese that walk around the farm. Joseph says they make a lot of noise if someone comes on the property. I had never heard of “Guard Geese” before.
The coup and Covid continue. People are still living and hiding in the forest. Many pastor’s wives are grieving the loss of their husbands. The war continues brutally. There will be more opportunities to give you updates on the brutality of the military. Yesterday, however, Joseph and Nuampi and the children and I were just able to talk and (virtually) walk the farm and rejoice in God’s goodness. You are such are part of God’s blessing. Your prayer, gifts, and love are shining on the other side of the world.
I have not shared this before, but at Easter Joseph said he had a question for me. He asked, “May we call you mother?” Of course, you know I said yes! I am Mama Brooks. Thank you for joining BCH on this journey in faith. God is good. Although there are huge trials, God cares for us gently and gives us blessings to remind us that we can call Him Father.