December 30, 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Savior:

The day after tomorrow will be the first day of the New Year, January 1, 2003. Time marches on! We thank our Lord that we will have as our Lord and Master – prophet, priest and King the same as this year of 2002 – The Lord Jesus Christ. This Mission Sheet month began on December 1, and finishes today the 30th. 

I preached during this period a total of 10 sermons. All 10 were delivered at the 24th of March BC where I am the pastor and Marie and I are members. On Sunday morning the 22nd of this month I preached from Matthew 7:13-14 on the two ways. The Lord blessed with 5 rededications. On Wednesday night the 25th I delivered a message on baptism. I lead the singing before the baptism. I did not baptize the three young people because of my back condition. The baptism was a blessing to me and to all the 52 of us present. Ediberto Ribeiro da Silva, my assistant did the baptizing. This was the first time the baptistery was used. Pray with me that at the end of February we will be able to have another baptism and pray that I will be strong enough to do the baptizing. 

During this Mission Sheet month Marie and I heard 10 sermons delivered by 6 different preachers. We are very thankful we are able to attend others churches as well as all of those at the 24th of March Baptist Church. On the 9th Dr. Alvaro, my heart doctor, examined me and he said everything was normal, and I am not to return to him until the end of February. 

On the 27th of this month Marie and I celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary. We thank and praise the Lord that we were able to live and stay together these 48 years. “Through many dangers, toils and snares”, as well as many blessed days and victories we have come. On this day we were blessed by a two- hour visit from our fellow missionaries and friends of many years, Bro. John and Alta Hatcher. We enjoyed their visit very much. Also we enjoyed the lunch that our son, Asa Mark and Lucia, treated us to. We have had our joys and our sorrows, been on the mountain top and down in the valley, but our Lord has been with us through it all and has given us Grace and strength to continue on. We are grateful for this blessing. 

We thank all of you who have sent us e-mails, letters and Christmas cards. We pray that the year of 2003 will be a blessed year for all of us. Thank you who contribute to us personally as well as all of the churches and individuals who give to the “work horse fund”. May the Lord bless you all is our prayer. 

Yours in the Service of the Savior: 

Harold and Marie Bratcher.