October, 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Savior:

Once again Marie and I greet you from the land of eternal summer. During this Mission Sheets month, September 1st to the 30th, I heard 6 sermons and preached 10 sermons. Marie heard me preach all but one. Eight of the ten were preached at the 24th of March BC where I am the pastor.

On Sunday night the 12th of September, I preached at the Jardim Celeste (Celestial Garden) Baptist Mission to the 43 of us present. Amauri Santos da Silva is the lay leader of the mission. He will be ordained, the Lord willing, on the 16th of October, and the new church will be organized the same day. We hope to give an offering from our New Works-Building Fund to help the new church finish their small church building. Pray for this church and pastor. Brother Amauri has a wife and 3 children. On the night of the 23rd, I preached to 24 of us present in the home of a poor couple in a new suburb of Manaus. We were celebrating the 5th birthday of Mauricelia M. de Souza. Her mother Maria Aldeciria Miranda, 36, is the mother of 6 more children. The little girl's father name is Mauro Peres de Souza, 28 years old. This couple has asked for baptism. Pray that in a few more months they will be able to be baptized.

We rejoiced to read in the August Mission Sheets about the letter that Dave Parks did not have to write to us missionaries. Thus with Bro. Parks we rejoice and let us all remember that God loves a cheerful giver that believes that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Thank you, Cheerful givers. We pray that never again will the general fund be "dry". We appreciate the personal gifts and designated offerings for us. The Lord bless all of you!

Yours in the Service of the Savior,

Harold and Marie Bratcher