Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Savior:

Once again by faith we greet you from Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil, South America. We were informed by our dear brother in Christ, Pastor Dave Parks, that our latest letters did not arrive in the hands of those responsible for their printing. This Mission Sheets month began January 3 and finishes today. We are remembering that today is "Groundhog Day" in the USA. This Mission Sheets month I preached nine sermons - six at the 24th of March Baptist Church, two at the Comunhão Baptist Church, and one at Bairro da Compensa Baptist Church. During the same period I heard five messages delivered by five different pastors. Yesterday, four of us from the church visited a family of four who live close to the church and attend regularly. The head of the family is Francisco da Silva Cruz, 31 years old. He and his wife, Maria do Socorro Braga de Souza, 32, are not legally married, and thus cannot be baptized. Our church does not baptize people who are living together as man and wife, but are not legally married. Thus we share with you one of our more than one problems. Pray that our church will cause joy in heaven. Luke 15:10.

On the 4th of January our son, Asa Mark celebrated his 51st birthday. On the 5th, he had surgery for an esophagus correction and gall bladder removal. What we thought would be a two night hospital stay turned out to be a nightmare and scare for him, his family, church and for us. To make a long story short, he had to have three surgeries in a twelve day period, each one several hours long. He had to have blood, was not allowed visitors for several days, and his wife and daughter stayed with him, day and night. After eighteen days he came home from the hospital. Harold and I only saw him one time in the hospital. He is very thin and still weak, but seems to be getting a little stronger with each passing day. We thank God for this blessing.

Harold and I wish to thank each one of you readers who prayed for him, especially those who attended the Winter Conference in Gotha, Florida. Brother. Dave Parks told us by phone, that they received Marcia´s e-mail and many prayed for him during the conference. We thank all of you who give to Baptist Faith Missions. We do appreciate your prayers.

Yours in the Service of the Savior,

Harold and Marie Bratcher