December 4, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Beloved Savior,

This Mission Sheets month began October 28th and finished today, December 1st. We share with you the happenings of some 33 days.

We heard (Marie 3 less) a total of 25 sermons preached and I'll inform you where I preached the 4 sermons

During the month I received one treatment on my back from Dr. Mark Miller and one dental treatment from Dr. Walter Fox.

On November 3rd, we visited and I preached at the evening service at White Hall Baptist Church, Richmond KY where Timothy Beard is the pastor and Pastor Mike Barnes is a member. On November 6th, Marie was X-rayed at a clinic. She was relieved to learn that she was bruised from her fall in October, but not broken.

On November 21st, Miss Ana Burris of the Heritage Baptist Church drove us (Marie and me) in her car to Pastor Bob Hopkins's house in Holly, MI where we were royally entertained until Monday afternoon (24th). I preached both services at the Grace Baptist Church where Brother Bob is the pastor. Monday afternoon, Brother and Mrs. Hopkins took us to New Hope Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, MI, where we attended the Thanksgiving Conference. Brother Marvin Summers is the pastor. Brother and Mrs. Paul Felan received us into their home during the Conference.

I preached the first sermon on Tuesday morning, November 25th.

After the Conference ended at noon on the 26th, we returned to Lexington with Brother Edward Overbey and Brother Dave Parks.

The hymn writer wrote: "Lord, I would clasp my hand in thine, nor ever murmur or repine (in spite of my having so few opportunities to preach, my words); content whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me."

On Thanksgiving Day we were privileged to have Stephen, his wife, son, and mother-in-law (Dona Janete Nunes Gomez, who lives in Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil) to arrive here at the Mission House before one o'clock in the afternoon, after having traveled a lot of hours from their home in Ocala FL.

After their arrival, we went to Frankfort, KY to the home of my youngest brother, Charles and his wife, Reva, where we enjoyed a bountiful Thanksgiving meal with them and some of their children. The food and fellowship was great.

We enjoyed visiting with Dona Janete in our home . She saw her first snow while she was here. She stood up well under the cold, cold weather. They had to leave early Sunday morning since they had work and school on Monday. Due to traffic being "bumper to bumper," it took them 14 1/2 hours to arrive at their home. We thank the Lord for all the blessings that have come our way these last few days. 

We thank each one who has been a blessing to us these days. We are grateful to every person mentioned in this Mission Sheets letter and to all of you who pray and/or contribute for our support through Baptist Faith Missions.

May the Lord bless us through the holiday season and throughout the New Year of 2004.

Yours in the service of the Savior,

Harold and Marie Bratcher

Children at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church.