December 5, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Blessed Savior Jesus Christ:

This Mission Sheets Month began November 3rd and finished today December 3rd, 2007. Once again we (Marie and Harold) greet you from our house and home located at number 2, Francisco José Furtado Street, São Francisco, 69079, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. This is also the land of “eternal summer.” We are now in the six months when it is “hot and wet.” During this Mission Sheets Month I preached eleven sermons – all at the 24th of March Baptist Church where I am the pastor.

During these days I heard a total of five sermons preached. Three of those were by Ediberto at the 24th of March Baptist Church and two at the Monte das Oliveiras Baptist Church. The preacher was Pastor Sebastião de Oliveira who is blind in the flesh but has much spiritual insight.

When I gave the invitation after preaching Sunday night the 4th of December, three women and one girl responded. Senhora Eva made a rededication. We visited her and the other two the Thursday after Eva confessed that she smokes. So far, she has not asked for baptism. Her daughter-in-law, Luzimara Bahino da Silva, who is not legally married to her son, did ask for baptism, but will have to wait. The fourteen year old, Danielly Brito Silva made a profession of faith but has attended only one service since. Please pray for: Eva Trindade de Oliveira and for her “husband” Edgar Evangelista Filho who recently made a profession of faith but has not asked for baptism. He needs to quit his drinking to be legally married to Eva, his “wife” of twenty years and mother of his two sons.

On the 26th of November we were blessed by a visit from Brother John and Alta Hatcher. Congratulations, “Parabens” to this couple that we love in the Lord. Before the end of the month they are planning with the presence of their five children, to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

We want to wish each of you a Happy Holiday Season and a most blessed New Year of 2008. We thank all of you who contribute to the regular fund and offerings designated to us, thus making it possible for us to serve the Lord these many years in this “land of eternal summer.” Continue to contribute and pray please for our church, which two weeks ago, for the third time was visited by thieves who stole the electric wires of the church building. Thieves who do not respect God’s house at all. One of the robbers wrote on the painted church wall, “we will return” (Voltaremos). It cost the church $165 to replace the electric wires. May the Lord bless us all, and be with you until we meet again.

Yours in the Service of the Savior,

Harold and Marie Bratcher