September 27, 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Savior:

This Mission Sheet month began on the 4th of September and is ending today, the 27th. During these days I preached seven sermons all at the 24th of March BC where I am the pastor. Please bear with me now as I bring you news about my battle with my back.

Since the 3rd of the month I am like the prophet Jeremiah, wearing a linen girdle. Read Jeremiah 13:1-11. Different from Jeremiah, I do not plan to bury it. Early morning on the 13th I couldn’t get out of bed because of my back pains. Finally after more than an half of hour struggling I only made it with Marie’s help. I have slept seated in a chair since the 13th. On the same morning I received my 8th and final therapy treatment on my back. My doctor had prescribed 10 but the nurses refused to give me another treatment because they weren’t helping. That afternoon, Asa Mark took me to see Dr. Julio. He prescribed 5 shots and 10 pain pills. I took the shot and pains pills but the pain persists. Pray for me.

On the 17th Marie, after having another blood test consulted with Dr. Luiz Fernandes Chaves. He said she is better but should return after 30 days, and after another blood test. We believe in the Lord who forgives us of all our inequities and heals us of all of our diseases. See Psalm 103:1-22. Please continue to pray for our health and our sanctification.

We thank all who have contacted us during these difficult days. Permit me to add a personal note to Brother Marion Turley of Richmond. We thank you for your e-mail, sent to harold_bratcher@yahoo.com. Please allow us another personal note to Bro. Patrick Prather also of Richmond. We are praying for you that the Lord will give you many opportunities to preach.

We have continued to attend all the church services and to do our regular Thursday night visitation on the church field. Yesterday we counseled with a couple of the church, for over an hour, who are having marital problems. We hope that our counsel was a help to them and that they will have a much better relationship in the future than they have had during these last months. Pray that the Lord will bless and work out their differences according to His will.

Please continue to pray for us and we will continue to pray for many of you. May the Lord bless us all.
Yours in the Service of the Savior: Harold and Marie Bratcher.