The blessing of our time with Anita Jane Flint
In 1997, Gay and I were watching as marriage after marriage was ending in divorce. It broke our heart. We did not have a perfect marriage and do not today. But wanted to do something. We went to our pastor and told him about how heavy this was on our heart. He introduced us to a ministry called “The University of the Family”. We signed up for their class titled “Married for Life.” The class was eight weeks long and by the end, we knew this was something we wanted to tell everybody in the world. This was the “planting of the seed” that would become Genesis 2:24 Ministries.
Two representatives from “The University of the Family” reached out to us to volunteer to teach us, mentor us, and prepare us for ministry. Over the next several months, Herb and Anita Flint come to our house and met with us. They would teach us what the Bible had to say about marriage. They provide guidance on how to meet with couples, how to hold small groups, and how to keep our marriage centered on God as we came near to others in trouble. They prayed with and for us so and prophesied over us to keep the holy spirit in our marriage and in all of our teaching. They compelled us to walk with Jesus only, to keep his commandments and showed us forgiveness when we did not. This was a great “watering for the seed” that became Genesis 2:24 Ministries.
Herb and Anita taught us to be sure to start and complete meetings with couples and groups on time. They suggested we should always welcome couples to our home with “thanks for coming.” But when the time was done, we were instructed to say “thanks for going” as we shooed them out the door. The idea is that we want to be sure to honor folks by starting on time, present Jesus while they are with us, and then allow them to continue the fellowship with Jesus as a couple when they leave us. Still, today, when a couple comes to us for counseling or a group meets for Bible study, we execute this practice first modeled to us by Herb and Anita.
Last night Gay and I mourned the loss of Anita Flint. She has gone home to be with Jesus. She came into our lives and touched us in a deep and amazing way “Thanks for coming, Anita.” She modeled a perfect helper to her husband, loved the Lord in front of us, taught us so much. But now she has gone home to be with Jesus, forever “Thanks for Going.”
We count ourselves blessed to have been the subject of your love and attention. Thank You Anita Jane we would not be here without your love for us. The birth of Genesis 2:24 Ministries is due in great part because of your loving-kindness. See you again soon.
Much love,
Chris & Gay Broughton
