May 13, 2006

Dear Friends,

Please forgive me for not getting a letter in the Mission Sheet for a couple of months. Let me assure you that it was not because Alta and I were busy bathing at one of the lovely beaches of Brazil or visiting the cool climate of the mountains. In January, we had our annual camp; in February, seminary classes began; and in March, we spent twelve days in Manaus at the invitation of the Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Batista das Americas school. What a joy it is to get to visit once in a great while with Paul and Wanda. "Paul and Wanda, thank you for all your love and hospitality. Everything was marvelous, the air conditioned room delightful, the cuisine was superb, and our time together unforgettable." To make things even better, Judson and Raquel and our great granddaughter Sarah were also at Paul and Wanda's. Also, visits with David and Pennie made it a little preview of Heaven. The School paid for our passages and gave us a love offering.

At our prayer meeting last Wednesday evening, Guilherme (William) prayed, "Dear Lord, I thank You for the man who invited me and took me to camp where I came to realize my need for being saved, and I pray, dear Lord, that You will help my mother to hear and believe when she comes home next week and I tell her how to be saved." William is fourteen years old and was born about one year after we moved to Urai. He lives four houses away on the same street. His mother is working in Portugal. He does not know his father. I have never seen a boy this young with the burden for souls that he has. His friends have nicknamed him "preacher". Diego is also fourteen and lived on our street until a couple of months ago. Three weeks ago, he trusted the Lord as Savior.

Marcio and Carol have had their first baby, named Gabriel. He is one month old and is growing fast. Marcio and Carol have a real love for the young people and have special Bible studies in their home for them as well as preaching in Urai, in Susumo Mission and Rancho Alegre Mission.

The plane trip to Manaus and the return was long and tiresome but the blessings of the visit overshadowed the weariness of the travel. Tabernacule Church was having a one month mission emphasis and I was invited to preach the two Sunday nights we were there. Two services are held each night. The first Sunday night, several came trusting Christ as Savior. One was a psychologist who was invited to come by Fred, a former student, and his family.

There were forty persons who came, dedicating their lives as missionaries, including a young girl who was about nine. Also, there were many who publicly indicated they were going to accept the responsibility of giving to send.

On the second Sunday morning, we visited the Chapada Baptist Church and had lunch with David and Pennie. Only the Lord knows the joy we feel to see the blessing and growth He has given to these two churches where Paul and David are pastors. Added to this joy is to have Judson and Raquel back in the Tabernacule Baptist Church with total dedication to training workers and sending them to other countries.

BATISTA DAS AMERICAS CELEBRATES FORTY-FIVE YEARS. The school that Alta and I founded while in Manaus is celebrating its forty-fifth year of service. They have over 1,000 students. Alta and I visited the grade school classes, the High school classes, and were received like heroes, which we are not. God has done it all. I remember one year while we were still there, 165 students made professions of faith. Many are still faithful in different churches. We visited with the pupils in the dining room during lunch and recess. There are several third generation students. All the students hear the Bible, memorize Scriptures, and are taught Christian principles for living.

One of the most touching moments for me was when a handsome boy about ten came up to me in the lunch room and said, "My grandfather was a German soldier during WWII and he fought against your side." He was 11 years old. I asked him, "Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior?" "Yes," he replied. "Then we are brothers in Jesus." "Yes," he said, and we hugged for a long moment. Oh, glorious Grace!

Pray for us. Pray for God to give us physical energy and spiritual discernment to do His will. Sometimes we feel like we would like to stop and rest (quit) but when we remember Him, we cannot because He did not rest until He gave His life. Daily, we say, "Lord, we are yours. You bought us body and soul, use us today as You will."

Our love to you all and our thanks for your prayers and gifts.

John and Alta Hatcher