January 31, 2008

Dear Friends

Greetings in the name of Jesus our Lord. At this moment in my life I wonder: God, how can it get better than this? Yes, I know He has promised "that eye has not seen and ear has not heard nor has it entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them who love Him." But- let me share with you some of the blessings God has showered upon us in these last three months. (Wait until my tears slow down.)

A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN IN MANAUS
On December 20, Alta and I celebrated sixty years as husband and wife. Paul and David had the dream of all the five children and we celebrate it together. Thirty-nine years had passed since we all had been together in Brazil. David helped in the passages of John and Judy from France, Lynn and Ross from the States, Kathy from Garça and Mother and Dad from Urai. (Unfortunately, Odali could not be there because he had to stay with the children at Alfa and Omega.)

Hatcher family reunited in Manaus to celebrate John and Alta's 60th wedding anniversary

Everyone was housed at Paul and Wanda's house and David and Pennie's. Alta and I spent time at both homes. Alta and I arrived in Manaus October 31st; we arrived early to get an edge on the others. (There is a saying I learned from Franklin, a blind man who was a charter member of Chapada Baptist Church “The lame man starts early.”) We did not want to be late. Since David and Pennie were traveling in November we registered in their hotel first. After they traveled we registered at Paul and Wanda's hotel, and were staying there on our 60th year of honeymoon.

Lynn and Ross arrived on December 23rd. They did not come on a horse drawn carriage but we all went out to meet them when they came. John Mark and Judy arrived on December 26th, after being delayed in Panama because of delayed flight; Kathy, also, arrived on December 26th. The crowd that went out to each arrival got bigger each time.

THESE WERE OUR HOLIDAYS, NOT THE HOTEL OWNERS
These are the busiest folk I have ever seen. Paul is out of the house every morning about seven-thirty, comes home for lunch, returns to school and comes home about nine-thirty p.m. David and Pennie are busy with their language school and church in the same manner.

After all had arrived we spent all the time possible together. We were all together at one home or the other, visiting or eating; usually both.

WHAT GLORIOUS RECEPTION FROM OUR BROTHERS IN CHRIST
“Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, \and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

From all the dear friends of the churches and missions, there was no end to the “thank you's” and words of praise to the Lord for our work and the work of our children. We praise God for His blessings and increase “as the sands of the sea and the stars of heaven.”

We praise God and thank Him for the blessing our children are to us. Lynn and Ross minister to persons with special needs and their families at the Judson Baptist Church in Nashville (Lynn was joyful as always, even though she is still battling spots of lung cancer); Paul and Wanda labor in the Seminary and School of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus; John and Judy in France with the wonderful family of Philip and Amanda and four granddaughters to be with them and help in the work; David and Pennie work in the Chapada Baptist Church and teach in their English Language School; and there are no words to express our gratitude to God for the little sister and our last child, Kathy. What love they show toward the children she and Odali care for as mother and father!

TREASURES FROM GOD
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5

"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD." Psalm 128:1-4

Only God could do what has been done for Alta and me and our family.

SPECIAL TRIP WITH OUR THREE SONS
The Chapada Baptist Church inaugurated their new building in the town of Nhamunda. This is an island and the farthest point east of the State of Amazonas. I disembarked on this island fifty years ago with Pastors Joao Dias (now in Heaven) and Manuel Aguiar. It was blackest night at two o'clock in the morning. The town is named Nhamunda, after the beautiful river that separates it from the State of Para. Across the river in the State of Para is the town of Faro. We began a work there over fifty years ago. This is where our fifth child, a son, was born dead. There was no doctor, no midwife, no drugstore, no hospital-but, God was there. I buried the baby in a small box in the backyard of the house we rented. God restored Alta to health.

John Hatcher standing in front of Faro after being away 50 years

During the time there four adults, three women and a man were baptized. We found Carlito, the son of Jose Filipe, who was the man I baptized. Carlito is fifty-five years old; was five when his father was saved. Our work folded but there is a Baptist Church in Faro today, praise the Lord.

John Hatcher with Carlito, son of Felipe, who was baptized 50 years ago in Faro

MOMENTS OF GREAT EMOTION
We traveled by river boat, and in Nhamunda we stayed in the home of Pastor Val and his wife. The new building was dedicated on Friday night and John Mark was invited to preach. The Chapada Baptist Church in Manaus built this lovely building. Saturday we went, by small boat, to Faro and visited the place our son was buried. From that spot marked by mourning, our son will rise in the glory of Jesus at His return.The house has been torn down and the one next door that we had used for services has also been removed.

John Hatcher standing with sons Paul, John and David at burial site of 4th son buried 50 years ago in Faro

We arrived in Manaus on January 7th in time to visit some with Kathy and to see her off at the airport that night. While in Manaus we also celebrated David's 50th birthday on January 2nd and John Mark's 55th birthday on January 7th.

To each who sent gifts and cards for our 60th wedding anniversary, we say, THANK YOU. And we thank you who have loved us, prayed for us and supported us in our ministry in Brazil for these 52 years. We love you.

John and Alta