August 19, 2003

Dear Friends

Our visit to France was certainly different than the first time I arrived there at the beachheads on June 7, 1944, but there is still a war raging. It is real and the fighting is difficult. About ninety-five percent of 60 million French people are traveling toward an eternity of punishment and separation from God. It is a saddening thought to realize there is a generation of children who have never heard of and perhaps will never know who Jesus is.

As we flew from London to Toulouse I asked the young Frenchman sitting by me on the flight, "How is your life?"

"Great," he replied. "I have a girlfriend and have sex when I want, I am in the University, everything is fine."

"What about your relationship with God?" was my next question.

"Ah," he scoffed, "that does not exist, there is no God."

It was a joy to visit with John Mark and Judy, Philip and Amanda, and our two great grandchildren, Abigail and Natalie. We also got to visit a couple of days with Lydia, who was on her way to Bosnia and with Laura, who was on vacation. There are Bible studies through the week both day and night. On the second Sunday we were there, twenty-eight persons were present for the service. John Mark spoke in French; Ursula, a German lady, translated for the German family who was there for the first time with their three children. Philip translated into English for those who did not understand French or German. We sang in French and English.  

Rafael, the German man, and his wife did not have a Bible and had never been to a service. Their two older girls went to Judy's Sunday School class. As John Mark begun the Bible study, Lara, their nine month old baby began to fuss. I got up and took her from her mother and she came to my arms like we had been friends forever. I carried her outside and had a prayer meeting for twenty minutes as I walked with her in my embrace. It seemed to be love at first sight. I prayed that God will save her parents so she and her sisters will learn about the Savior. I prayed that God will have mercy on Lara and her sisters and save them in their youth. After 20 minutes, my little friend laid her head on my shoulder and slept. I thought "this is a wonderful ministry for an old man." I am still praying for Lara and her family. "Pray for me..." Paul wrote, "that God would open us a door of utterance...to speak the mystery of Christ." We need to battle together with our brethren in France. Prayer is a spiritual weapon that is ours to use and it will bring the power of God to battle for them.

In closing this letter I would like to express our thanks to God for our grandchildren. Not only has He given us wonderful children but He has blessed us with marvelous grandchildren. Since I am writing about our visit to France, I will mention Philip who turned down a great business offer here in the States to go to France and work in a company so he could help his parents in God's work. And just as thrilled to take the loss to serve the Lord there is Amanda. Their choice could well be an example for many young people to follow with great blessing and rewards. Friends, we love you in Christ and thank you for your prayers and support.

John and Alta Hatcher