July 2, 2008

Dear Friends,

As most of you are enjoying summer weather, here in Brazil our winter is beginning. Thankfully, for we who are old, it does not snow or get down to freezing very often. When the sun comes out bright and warm most folks like to be in the sunlight, since our houses do not have heating systems. We are like the alligators that get out on the warm riverbanks after three or four days of cloudy weather.

Yesterday, Alta and I went to the city of Sao Sebastian and made visits from house to house telling people who wanted to hear how to be saved. This city is fifteen miles farther than Assai, where we have been working for two years. The week before, we drove to the city of Santa Cecilia do Pavao and spent part of a day visiting. This town is about twenty-five miles farther than Assai. The Lord willing, we plan on spending one day a week visiting in each of these cities. Pray the Lord will open doors and hearts in these places.

Pray for the city of Assai. We have been in the city two complete years and there is not one baptized believer. Of the eight or ten persons who have made professions of faith there is not one who attends. Yesterday we signed a contract for one more year on the building we rent.

OTHER WORKS GOING WELL - The work in Urai is going well. There have been several young people saved. Four or five young men are preparing for the ministry. The missions at Sussumu and Rancho Alegre are going well. The Tabernacle Baptist Church in the Cornelio Procopio area is maintaining our outreach in three other areas.

Alta continues to help teachers with their lesson preparation for teaching Sunday School and with music orientation. Marcio, the pastor at Urai, and his wife, Carol, work untiringly with the young people.

The work in the region of Marilia is progressing well. The church has begun three new works and have bought property in the city of Pompeia. They have permanent works in the cities of Pompeia and Antonieta.

Pray for us. Old age has arrived; it has made a difference. The anguish of the end and of knowing that people are dying and going to hell is not the greatest phase of life. For these things Jesus came to earth and we are thankful.

Young people, give your lives to Him for the greatest purpose there is: To honor the Father by taking the message of the cross of Jesus to those who are lost.

In His love,

John and Alta Hatcher