Hi! Just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers. In 1994 a friend of mine introduced me to Garth. I do not listen to country music but I had heard two of his songs-just didn't know who sang them.(that's not unusual for me)I was on my way to China as part of a team of teachers selected nationwide to teach at an innovative elementary school for chinese students. I feel it was God's plan for me to meet your son at that time. You see one of the songs I knew was Unanswered Prayers.

To make a long story short we went as English teachers, but several of us on the team are Christians and we of course used every opportunity to minister to the Chinese. I told my students about your son and shared much of his songs with them. You see part of our job was to teach these kids ethics. They didn't want them to grow up to be "little emperors". One of my favorite Bible verses is Roman 12:2 (Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person.) It seemed to me that Garth seemed to follow that same line of thinking. So my students had a new American role model. They also became familiar with his music.God was working in our lives over there. The next year I returned to China w/a GB video. Because of the "guanxi" built up-I was given permission to share the "WE SHALL BE FREE" video with my students! God was at work again. This had a huge impact! As you know it shows scenes from Tiananmen Sq. Many of my students have never seen what really happened there. I was given permission to share this with them. Garth's music was reaching out to the future leaders of China. And they were listening!! After my 3rd year I brought a student home with me. This again was an act of God. I tried to get tickets(thru sev. friends)to one of Garth's concerts but it wasn't meant to be. But the boy did buy several of his CD's. And he understands piracy and wants to help put a stop to it. I apologize for not using my name on this. I'm a behind the scenes kind of person.I'm sure I'm the only person Garth knows who went to China for 3 yrs.Thank you for raising your son the way you did. I prayed for him a lot while I was there and I prayed for the role he was playing in my students lives. I know how he feels about sharing his music in China. I'm praying for that also. I know God has been working. I've noticed a change in Garth since that first year. I'm so sorry this is so long. A little voice told me to send it and I learned a long time ago to listen to my little voice. May God bless you. We are all knit together by strong ties of love (Col.2:2b)

Take care of yourself and rest assured that people from all over the world are praying for you!!!!

Dear Mama Brooks,

We(my family) are wishing you well. Our prayers are with you and here's hoping the Irish in you will be stronger then ever.

Love and our prayers,

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Dear Momma Brooks,

(I feel strange adressing you as that, it seems too familiar as we have never met, but with fame comes that weird phenomenon where everyone thinks they know you because they have heard and seen so much of you...I stand guilty) I want to briefly wish you all the best and let you know that you are in my prayers. I also want to share a passage form the Bible that was a great comfort to my mother when she was dealing with terminal cancer. I won't type it all out, but if you can find the time please look up.

Lamentations 3:19-24.

These verses are still a great comfort to me and my family.

Again, all the best,

I know you must be a strong lady to raise such a great and caring son like Garth. I hope you start to feel better soon!

Love,

Get well soon Mama Brooks!!! We are all thinking about and praying for your speedy recovery. Stay well so you can love those grandchildren for a long time coming!!!!!

I hope that you get well very quickly.. I am not sure what is wrong but God will take for of you and your family...... God Bless you!!!!!!

Dearest Mama Brooks,

It is with the utmost love and respect that I call you that. You've been a blessing in my life for a number of years now. Always willing to listen and someone I feel I could talk to about anything.

Like another angel in my life...I have no doubt...you are one also.

May God bless you and hold you in His tender loving care. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers each and every day. I know you are such a strong willed woman. But, even the strongest need a shoulder to lean on at times. Mine is always available.

I love you.

Get well soon!!!