July 23, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Savior,

During this Mission Sheets month, June 25th to July 23rd, I preached four sermons, all in English. Sermon #1 was heard by some 40 of us Bratchers and Porters attending the reunion at Cumberland State Park near Corbin, KY. Sermon #2 was at the South Lexington Baptist Church, Joe Earwood, serving as pastor. Sermons #3 and 4 were at the Clarksville Baptist Church, Richmond, KY, Bradley Johns, pastor.

Marie and I heard some eight sermons at 6 different Baptist Churches. 

After Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, June 25, I turned the pulpit and the 24th of March Baptist Church over to Ediberto Ribeiro da Silva who will serve the church as pastor during my absence.

Marie and I felt sad as we sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." There were 30 people to see us off at the airport. We sang, read Scripture, and prayed. Before we left Manaus, several of the brothers and sisters, and pastors came to our home to bid us farewell. We do appreciate all the kind words and best wishes. We pray God's blessings upon each one of them.

Marie, Asa Mark, and I left Manaus very early in the morning, July 27th, to fly to Miami. We had a safe trip and Asa Mark was a blessing to help us at the airport in Miami. We asked him to come with us to help us on the trip and to get settled in. Stephen, his wife, and son met us in Tampa with a rental van large enough for six people and a lot of baggage.

We spent the night at their house in Ocala and left there the next day at 6:10 AM to drive to Cumberland State Park for the Bratcher-Porter reunion. We were on the road sixteen hours, including stops for meals, gas, etc. Sunday AM we visited the White Oak Baptist Church near Corbin, Brother Paul Frederick, pastor. The reunion was very enjoyable with a lot of relatives, especially my two brothers, Charles and David, and their families.

July 8th we arrived at the Mission House around noon. We thank each one of you who had a part in getting the Mission House ready for us. Everything is really nice. 

That first Wednesday night, the six of us visited at the Thompson Road Baptist Church, Brother Dave Parks, pastor. The first Sunday here we attended Glen's Creek Baptist Church services, out from Versailles KY. Asa Mark brought the message. The church had a potluck dinner for us which was very enjoyable. 

Last week, we were with Brother Bradley Johns, Clarksville Baptist Church and were royally entertained in the home of Mrs. Ella J. Casey.

This past Sunday, we attended services at the Heritage Baptist Church, Brother Greg Waltermire, pastor. There we talked with many members, some we knew before we went to the mission field in 1959. July 15th we completed forty-four years on the mission field.

Brothers and sisters, we thank each one for your prayers and to the Directors of BFM who have been kind and understanding to us this past year.

Yours in Christ, 

Harold and Marie Bratcher

P.S. We will be happy to be of service to the pastors of churches who can use us. If you, dear pastor, cannot come after us, we will come by Greyhound bus to your city. Our Lexington address is: 1012 Balsam Drive, Lexington KY 40504-3243. Telephone: 859.277.3716

National preacher preaching at the grave of Joel Bratcher, Manaus, Brazil